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Smit Oletha - The BMW that never existed

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Created on April 27, 2023

Text:

Wolfram Hamann

Photos:

Smit Vehicle Engineering

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Wolfram Hamann

16

BMW AG

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Smit Vehicle Engineering

20

Wolfram Hamann

16

BMW AG

2

Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - American small-series coupé based on the BMW Z4

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - The creators Willem (left) and Kaess Smit (right) next to their work

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - Classic rear somewhere between Jaguar F and Nissan Z

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - the headlights are similar to those of the Z8, but not identical

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - with "shark nose" tilted forward

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - The six-cylinder version has no hood scoop

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - two genuine exhaust pipes, traditionally routed through the rear apron

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - The retracted spoiler blends harmoniously into the body line

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - in the assembly hall. Behind it, an S 65 under construction and Willem Smit's Caterham 7

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - in the assembly hall shortly before completion

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - forged wheels in 9 X 18 format

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - Just like the big ones: Door sill trims with elegant model lettering

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - There is also a name on the dashboard

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - brakes from AP Racing, suspension from KW

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - the BMW V8 in its original state

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - The BMW V8 with the self-developed, space-saving manifold

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - Long at the front, short at the back: these proportions have worked for over 70 years

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - Similarity to the BMW Z8. However, the kidneys are smaller and free of headlights

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - the extended spoiler disturbs the line a little

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - the version with V8 can be recognized by the "power hump" on the hood

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - Proof that a car doesn't need a hundred air intakes, beading and an evil eye to look good

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - a modern Gran Turismo of classic design

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - Double deception: a European-looking car in a European-looking landscape, but both are of American origin

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - built in Tennessee, redeemed in Florida

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - Let's be honest: the rear is much more successful than that of the BMW Z07 study

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - The new Jaguar F-Type? No, an exclusive variant of the BMW Z4

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - stylistically quotes the super sports cars of the sixties

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - The interior largely corresponds to that of the BMW Z4

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - The six-cylinder engine comes from the BMW M3 and delivers 400 hp

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - Extendable rear spoiler: not necessarily beautiful, but absolutely necessary

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Smit Oletha S 54 (2023) - beautiful, undisguised engine with six individual throttle valves

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - The designers were only satisfied with the fiftieth version of the fuel filler flap

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - The narrow rear lights come from the BMW Z8

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - 4.4-liter V8 with 450 hp

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Smit Oletha S 65 (2023) - 4.4-liter V8 with 450 hp

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BMW Z4 3.0 si (2006) - production vehicle

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Summary

It looks like a 23-year-old youngtimer, quotes a car from the fifties and yet is a new car: the Smit Oletha actually contradicts our voluntary self-imposed minimum vehicle age of 20 years. But here we make an exception, as the Gran Turismo from Tennessee revives both old sports car glory and the almost extinct idea of the special body. We visited the builders in their workshop.

This article contains the following chapters

A sporty and elegant beauty
Optimized technology under and on the body
Small series has its price

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

In the east of the US state of Tennessee, where it is rural and very green, the author has an appointment with the brothers Kaess and Willem Smit. They are the founders of Smit Vehicle Engineering (SVE), which produces the Coupé Oletha (pronounced similarly to "Aretha"). As engineers, the brothers with Dutch roots were able to gain the necessary professional experience. Kaess previously worked in the aviation industry, while Willem worked at Tesla and most recently at Singer Cars (a company that modifies Porsche 911s). They owned a BMW Z4 and have always been firm fans of the white and blue car brand.

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