How BMW built the long-term car
10/01/2011
In 1973, Porsche exhibited a sensational study at the IAA - the FLA long-term car, designed to last over 20 years. Experts discussed this concept car very controversially. Whether it made sense to drive a car for such a long time at all, as technology (aerodynamics, efficiency, cleanliness, etc.) was advancing so quickly. Of course, classic cars were not on the agenda at the time, and the Porsche FLA from 1973( ) remained a concept idea.
From 1989, however, BMW built the BMW Z1, presented at the IAA in 1987 (see picture above), under completely different conditions.
A hot-dip galvanized chassis, detachable body parts made of plastic and the widespread use of mass-produced parts predestined the Z1 for a long service life. Accordingly, a large proportion of the 8,000 cars produced are probably still in existence today, provided they have not been destroyed by accidents or other destructive influences. Even the design by Harm Lagaay has stood the test of time quite well, making the Z1 an interesting investment. The only thing to keep an eye on is the delicate mechanics of the retractable doors.
We are planning to publish a detailed article on the Z1 , but are currently still looking for a suitable (red or yellow) photo model.
