Open-topped cars in vogue again

Press, 9 October 1987, Page 24

Open-topped cars in vogue again

Opea-tepped ears are camiug late vague again aad among the trendsetters are BMW had Mazda. The Munich-based company has decided to proceed with its twoseater Zl, a design that was conceived by BMW Technik GmbH about two yean ago. BMW Technik comprises a team of planners, engineers and technicians with a creative, innovative and effective bent They devised the roadster, which relies to a large extent upon BMW 3-Series componentry but has a Z-arm suspension arrangement of entirely new design at the rear. It is based on a monoeaque load-bearing chassis with a bonded-in plastic floor. The body’s enter skin is also of plastic.

The two-seater will be powered by the 3251 sixcylinder engine installed well behind the front axle, so that the car will be virtually mid-engined. The Zl was given its first public showing at the Frankfurt Motor Show recently. It should go on sale some time next year and although it is far too early to give an Indication of price, it could retail in this country for around sl**,***. The RX7 convertible is a variant of the potent rotary-engined RX7 coupe, examples of which are available in New Zealand. The hood, however, makes this car a twoseater, for when it is lowered it fills most of the space available for rear seat passengers in the RX7 Coupe. However, when the hood is erected the car becomes a two. plus two once more. Water - repellent leather upholstery and trim is employed in the RX7 convertible, just in case the car is left parked by its owner with the hood down and there te a sadden rain shower.