There’s an interesting little bit of records at the back of BMW’s Z motors. Few are aware of the BMW 507, a sports activities vehicle designed for American shoppers on the behest of New York-primarily based totally luxurious vehicle importer Max Hoffman and made of 1956 to 1960. According to Motor Trend, BMW employed Albrecht von Goertz to layout a brand new sports activities vehicle for Americans who love a effective engine. The 507 become BMW’s first V8-engined vehicle, and it got here with a raucous 3.2-liter V8 pumping out one hundred fifty horsepower.
The 507’s hand made aluminum body, luxurious interior, howling V8 motor, and unusual styling got here at a fee. Initially projected to begin at around $5,000, the 507 had a base fee of $10,500 — out of contact for maximum shoppers. It did not be counted to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, who sold 507 roadsters for the duration of his navy obligation in Germany, however for the common person (with a far smaller pocketbook), this car become too highly-priced for its day. BMW simplest constructed 252 gadgets of the 507, and manufacturing ended simply 4 years after it began.
The cease of the 507 additionally placed a forestall to -seater sports activities vehicle manufacturing at BMW for the subsequent couple of decades. In 1985, the brass hooked up BMW Technik GmbH, a group of 60 designers, technicians, and engineers to create a brand new -door sports activities vehicle. The BMW Z1 roadster become born in August 1986, and the Z3 roadster accompanied match in 1996.
BMW Z3M Coupe: Skunkworks project
BMW meant the Z3 to be a top class opportunity to the Mazda MX-5, however critics and fans discovered it missing in dynamism and using involvement, stated Motorious. The Z3 become additionally the primary BMW constructed and assembled outdoor Germany (manufacturing came about in South Carolina). It did not be counted if Agent 007 drove the Z3 in “GoldenEye,” and it virtually did not be counted if the Z3 M got here in 1997 with a stronger straight-six motor.
The Z3 wished a overall performance update, however the brass become now no longer inquisitive about creating a high-overall performance Z3, so BMW’s M department labored in secret. The engineers took an current Z3 and delivered a hard and fast roof. They additionally shoehorned a 3.2-liter BMW S50 inline-six and a five-velocity guide gearbox below the hood, with suspension and brakes from the Z3M.
The all-new BMW Z3M Coupe had the nickname of “clown shoe” for its stubby rear cease, however splendor is in the attention of the beholder. It may have needed to do with this polarizing style, however the Z3M Coupe did not get quite a few love whilst it debuted in 1998. BMW simplest constructed 6,791 examples of the Z3M Coupe among 1998 and 2001, and simplest a handful got here with the stronger S54 inline-six with 315 horsepower, of which simplest 269 gadgets left the Spartanburg factory.
The BMW Z3M Coupe’s quirky styling grows on you the longer you stare, and its rarity makes it one of the maximum acceptable and collectible M motors to date — motives why we are head-over-heels over BMW’s skunkworks M vehicle. “This car might not be everybody’s darling,” stated Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle, former board member, BMW AG, for the duration of the Z3M Coupe’s debut. “But it is a BMW via and via: sporty, effective, dynamic.”
