1990 BMW Z1 With 65 km Appears on Bring a Trailer

A 1990 BMW Z1 with just 65 km is listed on Bring a Trailer. The rare BMW Technik roadster highlights low mileage and collector relevance. Learn more.

Just 65 kilometers on the odometer — that single figure turns this 1990 BMW Z1 from a rare roadster into something far closer to a time capsule. For a model produced in roughly 8,000 units, such mileage is exceptionally uncommon and immediately places the car in a different category.

This particular example is finished in Top Red with a Dark Gray Nubuck interior and powered by a 2.5-liter M20B25 inline-six producing 168 horsepower, paired with a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes anti-lock brakes, 16-inch Style 11 wheels, a black soft top, and power windows. According to the auction listing, the car carries a clean Carfax report and is titled as a classic vehicle in Oklahoma.

What sets the Z1 apart, however, goes well beyond its condition. The model itself originated as an experimental project by BMW Technik GmbH, a division focused on developing new engineering concepts. First shown in 1987 and entering limited production in 1989, the Z1 was never intended to be a conventional mass-produced sports car.

It became the starting point for BMW’s Z line, yet remains fundamentally different from its successors. Unlike later models such as the Z3 or Z4, the Z1 incorporated design and engineering solutions that were never widely adopted.

The most recognizable feature is its vertically retractable doors, which disappear into the sills and can remain open while driving. The construction is equally unconventional: beneath removable plastic body panels sits a galvanized steel monocoque, allowing sections of the exterior to be detached and replaced.

Technically, the car was more than a design exercise. The engine was positioned in a front mid-engine layout to improve weight distribution, while the rear suspension introduced a new multi-link design that would influence later BMW development. These elements made the Z1 a true engineering platform rather than a styling experiment.

Against this background, the featured example gains additional significance. Most BMW Z1 cars on the market today show tens of thousands of kilometers. Even well-preserved examples rarely approach such minimal use. A car with just 65 kilometers effectively occupies a space closer to museum-grade preservation than typical collector condition.

Low-mileage Z1 models have already demonstrated heightened interest at auction, where value is closely tied to originality and condition. This makes the current listing more than just another rare late-1980s BMW roadster — it is a convergence of engineering uniqueness and near-unused preservation.

As the auction approaches its closing date, the final result remains to be seen. What is already clear is that examples like this appear only rarely, and each one becomes a notable moment for collectors.