California Spider Tribute

The Recreation Collection was assembled by a gentleman, now deceased, who had a passion for cars, owning at one stage some 38 vehicles. A particular enthusiasm of his was for replicas of the rarest and therefore most expensive examples. Judging by the receipts on file and the high prices paid in period, he could’ve bought at least one real example for the price he paid for the others! These are special cars and worthy of serious consideration, offered, tantalisingly as they are, without Reserve.

We understand that this fabulous right-hand drive tribute car was the dream of an Italian gentleman, a former Chairman of two Italian sports car clubs. Based on a UK-supplied 1997 BMW Z3 M Sport, itself a highly desirable car and one that is the identical size, wheel-to-wheel to the original, the recreation was a labour of love that offers the attention-gathering beauty and appeal of the original combined with the benefits of modern motoring technology and German engineering.

Every item on the car, from the body panels to the seats, has either been bespoke manufactured or purchased from Ferrari or GTO Engineering. Original Ferrari parts include the indicator stalks, installed at a cost of €1,800, grille, window winders, door handles, badging, headlamps and rear view mirror. Even the ashtray is an original Ferrari item, bought from GTO Engineering for £400. To acquire one correct Nardi steering wheel as sported by the orignal, the owner actually had to buy four of them. The car runs on the original size Pirelli tyres, wrapped around an €8,000 set of Borrani wheels.

The £4,000 stainless steel exhaust features a resonator box and sounds not dissimilar to a V12 on carburettors. To create the bumpers, the previous owner had a mould made and the bumpers were then cast in stainless steel, at a cost of £3,000. The engine is a 325bhp BMW M3 E36 unit. Beneath the period radio sits a speaker with a difference. Entirely in keeping with the original styling, this was made specially in Germany by Becker. It pulls down to reveal the air conditioning controls hidden behind. The original BMW Z3M sustained repairable damage on the 25^th May 2000 and was subject to an insurance Category D marker. Given the car’s new lease of life in 2017, it was subsequently registered at the time as a Black California Spyder, we welcome close inspection of this special vehicle.

Presented to auction with its V5C, historic bills, brochure and previous MOT Certificates, the most recent of which is valid until 24th September 2025.