What: 2001 BMW Z3 2.5i Roadster Color: BMW Individual Oxford Green Metallic II (430; BMW) VIN: NA Mileage: 104,000 Price: $10,000 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Pennington, NJ Dealer listing:Link
Admittedly, non M versions of the BMW Z3 tend to get overlooked by the enthusiast marketplaces. Nevertheless, that first-generation BMW Z3 (a Bond car after all) is a handsome and now quite affordable enthusiast option… made even more compelling through a proper spec.
From our perspective, a tone-on-tone car in rare color (Oxford Green Metallic) already qualifies. Now, throw in an optional hardtop and it makes an even more compelling case.
This car does have some wear. We can see some wearing of the green finish on the steering wheel and worn BMW roundels on the car’s front quarter panels, but a little bit of care and attention would likely make this car a highly enjoyable affordable tailored driver.
What: 1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Targa Color: Oak Green Metallic (oakgrünmetallic; metallic Uni; 22L / 265; Porsche) VIN: N/A Mileage: 97,006 km, 60,276 miles Price: € 129,900 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium Link: Garage Vandenberghe
While the Porsche 911 964 generation was definitely sold in the United States, the last of the primarily hand built and upright headlight air-cooled 911s has become a rare and valuable commodity thanks to the likes of Singer and RWB conversions. Given that, seeking out cars in Europe can not only net more selection, it can also pay a bonus with rare specifications most American buyers weren’t likely to order. We think this green-on-green 1991 911 Carrera 2 Targa qualifies.
This Belgian-delivered Targa is painted Oak Green Metallic, listed as a Paint to Sample by the dealer. While we know Oak Green was available during the 964 production run at times, we’re not certain about its availability for the Belgian market in 1991 specifically. Regardless, it’s a rare and attractive color on a 964, and that’s made even more appealing and rare with the unexpected interior specification.
Primarily, the interior specification is most unforgettable thanks to its extremely rare Sherwood Green Leather – optional in Europe, but a rare find to be sure. Other options for this car include English labeling, headlight washers, standard bolster electrically operated seats for both driver and passenger, cassette and coin holder, power antenna and speakers, no amplifier, no airbag, lighting regulation, split rear seat backrest, and velours carpet in trunk.
You’ll note the same green finish on elements such as the no-airbag steering wheel and shiftknob. Here, in these high touchpoint locations, the green is starting to wear off. These pieces are unobtainium and the car is likely worth more with them still unrestored and in the car, but they’re worth noting.
The price on this car isn’t especially low for a 964 Targa, but the mileage is also quite low and the specification is highly unique.
What: 2002 BMW 525i Touring Color: BMW Slate Green (schiefgrün; metallic UNI; 449; BMW) VIN: WBADS43452GD86927 Mileage: 193,400 Price at Time of this Writing: $5,655 with 1 Day Left CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: see photo gallery Location: Moss Beach, CA Auction listing:Link
From the discount tailored rack comes this well preserved and rare specification BMW 525i Touring we found listed over on Cars and Bids. Whether or not you count it as truly tailored is up to you. The exterior color of Slate Green was a standard offering on the E39. And, though we haven’t yet found it in period catalogues, the interior specification of Stone Green and Black doesn’t appear to be listed as special order on the attached Monroney window sticker.
So, it’s a rare spec then and not a tailored ride. Even still, it’s a rare specification that includes tone-on-tone coloring with green on the outside and green on the inside. That all makes it very tasteful.
Alas, it does have an automatic transmission so the true obscure wagon nerds who are seeking gears they can row may find that part a disappointment, but close inspection of the attached photos over on Cars and Bids also shows very detailed record keeping for this car’s nearly 200,000 miles logged, not to mention well-preserved condition in the many photos.
What: 1988 Porsche 959 SC Reimagined by Canepa Color:Emerald Green Metallic (smaragdgrünmetallic; metallic Uni; 264 / 249; Porsche) VIN: WP0ZZZ95ZJS900214 Mileage: 38,500 kilometers (~23,923 miles) at restoration, shows 7,503 km now Price Estimate: $400,000 to $600,000 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: RM Sotheby’s 2025 Miami Auction, Coral Gables, FL Listing: Link
Reimagining any car to the exacting specification is an impressive thing, though beginning with one of 292 legendary Porsche 959s is a whole other level of commitment. That’s where Canepa comes in, with their reimagining of these Group B homologation specials into what they call a 959 SC (SC standing for Super Carrera).
Worth noting, Bruce Canepa and his firm aren’t just incredibly talented fans of the brand or model. It was none other than Bruce Canepa who was contracted by Paul Allen and later Bill Gates to get the first 959s imported legally into the USA. That effort would result into the legendary “Show and Display” exemption rule. During that time, Canepa taught himself capabilities and familiarity with the 959 that may have been second only to Porsche themselves. Bruce was the go-to for the 959, and his learnings over decades brought him to his 2015 launching of the 959 SC program where a client could bring a 959 for a recommissioning and reengineering that would raise performance as well as luxury.
RM goes into great detail in their listing:
“Whereas the original 959 left the factory with 444 horsepower from its 2.85-liter sequential-turbo flat-six, the 959 SC Reimagined by Canepa uses upgraded BorgWarner turbos (with internal wastegate) in a parallel twin-turbo system and new engine management based around MoTec hardware to nearly double that figure to 825 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque.
“Standard 959 engine internals give way to forged pistons, Pankl titanium connecting rods, and other upgraded componentry. The camshafts have been revised to offer improved low-end torque and mid-range power, and the valve train has been entirely redesigned for better responses. Individual coil packs supplant the original ignition distributor, while completely revised intake systems, equal-length, tungsten-ceramic-coated exhaust headers, and a two-stage exhaust system of stainless steel and titanium give the new engine sufficient bark to match its bite.
“As for the suspension, by upgrading the original 959 Sport coilover system with custom valved shocks from Penske and titanium springs, the 959 SC’s handling is greatly improved at all speeds, along with the ride quality on all types of surfaces. Canepa also produced new cast-magnesium 18-inch hollow-spoke wheels that take full advantage of the latest advancements in production and materials technology while staying true to Porsche’s original 959 design.
“More than 4,000 hours go into each build and over 3,000 individual pieces get restored, rebuilt, or upgraded. Nothing is left unchecked or untouched on every 959 that Canepa reimagines; they are completely disassembled, and entirely rebuilt as better-than-new machines. Color combinations and final touches are tailor-made to each client’s specifications in close collaboration with Bruce Canepa. Those fortunate enough to secure a 959 SC order slot can choose from over 200 Porsche factory and “paint-to-sample” colors. Each example is one of one, with production set at just 50 in total.“
959 SC 003
This particular 959, 959 SC 003, began life as one of 207 959 “Komfort” models, was originally finished in Silver Metallic over grey leather and delivered to its first owner in Monaco. It was later sold to Japan where it was displayed in a private Tokyo museum, remaining there until it was imported into the U.S.A. in 2016.
At that point, it was completely disassembled in order to begin its restoration and 959 SC augmentation.
The car is was painted paint-to-sample Emerald Green Metallic, matched tastefully with Dark Green leather. It features 18-inch variants of the stock 959 wheel design , these featured in Canepa’s proprietary graphite finish that matches the appearance of oxidized magnesium.
Since the completion of its conversion, 003 has been displayed at Luftgekühlt 4 in 2017, Rennsport Reunion VI in 2018, and the 2022 Velocity Invitational. It returned to Canepa in December 2024 for an engine-out service and other work totaling $70,000.
What: 2000 BMW Z3 3.0 Coupé Color: Evergreen (immergrün; non-metallic uni; 358, BMW) VIN: N/A Mileage: 208,930 km (129,823 miles) Price: € 19,950 CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: AutoMooij, Beek en Donk, The Netherlands Dealer listing:Link
Why we love it:
This particular BMW Z3 Coupé isn’t low mileage, though not hatefully high. It’s not a one-off BMW Individual paint, though it is fairly rare. At the time, BMW offered Evergreen with dual-tone black and green interior. That was the late 1990s / early 2000s when such combinations were kitsch cool for those in the know. The take rate wasn’t high, which made them rare. And Evergreen, we’d argue, should be due to have its day again given the uptick in pastel colors we’ve been seeing in paint to sample catalogues.
Back to this car, don’t be fooled that it’s a Z3 M. It’s a 3.0 wearing M Coupé wheels, but hardcore aficionados will recognize that the bumpers are different, the side vents and single side exhaust. Even still, for someone seeking a rare spec “clown shoe”, this car’s a great spec and appears to be a solid driver.
This is one of our Euro market finds, so the usual caveats apply for our primarily North American readership. For Europe and other markets, we focus on cars older than 25 years, meaning a relatively easy import into the USA. This is often done by working with firms such as our friends at Orchid Euro, you can have the car purchased, transported to port, shipped to America and cleared through customs for clients seeking this sort of service.
