The 1990s yielded many of the most iconic cars to wear a BMW badge in the modern era, including those within the Z Series. So named for the German word for “future”, Zukunft, earlier models such as the Z1 and Z3 hinted at the bold ideas BMW bosses reserved for its line of roadsters. The BMW Z8 began life as an audacious concept that would be a styling exercise intended to pay homage to its legendary open-top ancestor, the 507 Roadster.

Codenamed “Z07”, the car was unveiled in concept form at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. Its BMW-enthused design DNA shared strong links to the 507 Roadster, as a stylish convertible with a V-8 engine. The design brief had been completed by Henrik Fisker, who later worked on the the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage, among others. The Z8 was ready for customers by 1999, the same year the car was deftly exhibited as a technological marvel as James Bond’s car in the 1999 film, The World Is Not Enough.

The example offered for sale here, finished in Titansilber Metallic over a Black leather interior, was built for the 2000 model year and delivered new to Germany. Its history until being acquired by The Munich Masterpieces Collection in 2022 is largely unclear, though its odometer reading at the time of cataloguing of 48,946 kilometres suggests relatively light use over its near-25-year lifetime. The Z8 is offered with a colour-matching hardtop with a stand.