A BMW Z1 is rare enough, but Stephen Hughes found an even more special version – and we were lucky enough to get to hear about.

Odds are you’ve never seen a BMW Z1 grace the roads of Ireland. This sporty little two-seat roadster, manufactured from 1989 to 1991, is a true rarity on the Emerald Isle. With only 8,000 units produced, the Z1’s defining characteristic – its distinctive plastic bodywork and electrically sliding ‘doors’ that retract into the sills – has made it a unicorn in Ireland, as none were built in right-hand drive configuration. However, the lack of right-hand-drive models didn’t deter one enthusiast, Stephen Hughes, from adding this unique Bavarian beauty to his garage.

Stephen’s journey to Z1 ownership began when he was searching for an Alpina-tuned BMW 3 Series (E30 model). After missing out on a lovely black Touring model, he found himself delving deeper into the world of BMW, eventually stumbling upon the BMW Z1 owners club. It was there that he laid eyes on a particular black BMW Z1, adorned with non-standard alloy wheels, that immediately piqued his interest.

“When I saw this particular black Z1 with non-standard alloys, it had my attention,” Stephen recalls. “I messaged the seller, and he filled me in on all the details, how much work was done, all the extras that were included and so on. So, a plan was hatched, and my brother Alan and I headed to Kleve, Germany to buy the car and drive it home.”

Once behind the wheel, Stephen was smitten. The BMW Z1’s 2.5-litre straight-six petrol engine, tilted 20 degrees for a lower bonnet line, provided a thrilling 168 horsepower to the rear wheels, all while the car’s svelte 1,250kg curb weight ensured nimble handling. But this Z1 was no standard offering, as the previous owner had upgraded the engine to a 3.0-litre unit, boosting output to a more potent 210 horsepower.

Beyond the performance enhancements, Stephen’s Z1 also boasts a rare Weismann hardtop, one of only 500 ever produced, which adds a touch of exclusivity to this already unique machine. The interior, too, is a special treat, with Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and additional leather accents elevating the cabin ambiance.

A look inside the Z1 reveals it’s a bit special, too, thanks to a gorgeous Alcantara-covered steering wheel and extra leather for the glovebox and storage pockets. There’s a short-shifter for the gearbox as well and Stephen tells us that the distinctive 18-inch ‘Breyton Magic Sport’ alloys hide upgraded Koni shocks and Alpina brakes.

Despite his affection for it, the Z1 isn’t Stephen’s first BMW: “I had another E60 5 Series in 2009, then moved to a 2016 3 Series, a 2019 MINI Cooper S and now I’ve a BMW 2 Series Coupé. That’s my daily driver, but I bought a classic 1989 325i Sport in May 2020 which I had up to late August this year. I had to sell it due to a lack of space for my Z1.”

We reckon you need more space, not less cars, Stephen…