2001 BMW Z8

The BMW Z8 was designed as a styling exercise to evoke and to pay homage to the stunning BMW 507 produced in the late fifties. Because of the sensation it caused at the 1997 Tokyo Auto Show BMW decided to go into production and produced 5703 Z8s from 1999 - 2003 with approximately half going to the USA. Unsurprisingly, as such a beautiful design it received the highest accolade by featuring in the 1999s Bond film, The World Is Not Enough.

It was an engineering indulgence by BMW featuring an Aluminum space frame body and the famous 5 litre DOHC 32-valve V8 engine producing 400 bhp. Situated behind the line of the front axle, it gave the Z8 virtually perfect 50/50 weight distribution and out-performed its contemporary benchmark rivals in all departments. The Ferrari 360 Modena was left inadequate in terms of performance, handling and braking. Road tests by period magazines frequently better the quoted 0-60 times supplied by BMW and many achieved figures of circa 4 seconds. Most remarkable was its pure driving pleasure and its effortless Grand Tourer capabilities. BMWs mantra of "The Ultimate Driving Machine' was not wasted on the Z8.

Delivered to its first owner, a Ms. Elizabeth Smith of Dallas, Texas, this car is finished in Titanium Silver Metallic with an all leather interior of Nappa Black and includes a hard top in body colour with a stand. During Ms. Smith's tenure, the car was maintained by BMW of Dallas, with four stamps showing in the service book, the last being in early 2007 at which time the car had covered 29,654 miles. In November 2008 the car left the United States, and was purchased by a Mr Lars Persson of Ystad, Sweden to be placed into his private car collection. Swedish registration documents in the history file are testament to the cars' time there.

Our vendor purchased the car in April 2013 and entrusted shipping agents ShipMyCar to collect it from Sweden and deliver to the UK. They also helped register the car with the DVLA, pass the MoT test and put road tax on the car. At the same time, the car was fully modified to UK specification, which involved changing the headlights, fog lights and rear lights. An HSCC club member and a true motoring enthusiasts at heart, our fastidious vendor has spent in excess of £4,000 with Cooper Banstead BMW fettling the car to his liking during his ownership. A service was completed in May 2014 by the aforementioned dealership at 39,717 miles. The original leather bookpack containing service books & drivers manual also accompany the car.

Included in the sale is a genuine Z8 spare wheel, full toolkit, a half tonneau, roll bar hoop covers and a wind deflector - all original BMW items that have been sourced and purchased by the current owner.

Presented in superb condition throughout and with the odometer currently reading a genuine 39,753 miles, this BMW Z8 represents retro styling with the performance and refinement of a modern supercar. Sold with an MoT certificate until May '15 and a UK V5C registration, this modern classic is not be missed.