From 1930 to today, BMW’s roadsters and their coupe derivatives have represented the essence of sheer driving pleasure. These are BMW’s fun cars, with high-revving engines, agile handling, and seating for just two. BMW Z cars: Roadsters and Coupes presents a comprehensive history of BMW roadsters. It begins with the earliest sports racers of the 1930s—including the race-winning 315/1 and 328—and the fabulous 507 of the 1950s before moving on to the roadster renaissance that began with the innovative Z1 and wildly popular Z3, and which continues through the latest Z4 and i8 Roadster. All of the coupe, racing and M variants are covered, along with the Z1 Art Car and Alpina V8. So are spectacular concepts including the Z2, GINA, Z8 Coupe, Mille Miglia Concept Coupe, and Vision ConnectedDrive. Relying on extensive interviews with the principle players, BMW Z cars: Roadsters and Coupes introduces the designers and engineers who transformed these legendary cars from inspiration to reality, from sketch to sheet metal. It even reveals how BMW’s roadsters came to be identified with the letter Z. Contrary to what you’ve read elsewhere, it has nothing to do with the word Zukunft, German for future!
As editor-in-chief of Bimmer, the magazine about BMW, Jackie Jouret has written countless stories about the cars and history of BMW. Since 2016, she has written a monthly column for Roundel, the magazine of the BMW Car Club of America. In addition, she authored the books that accompany the BMW CCA Foundation's exhibits: Heroes of Bavaria, 75 years of BMW in motorsport; The ICON: 50 Years of the 2002; PASSION, 50 Years of BMW Cars and Community; and GENESIS, BMW from the Beginning.