Skip to content
The Ultimate Driving Museum
  • About
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Contact
    • FAQ
    • Foundation Board
    • Foundation Staff
    • Our Foundation
    • Street Survival
  • Museum
    • Buy Tickets
    • Current Exhibit
    • Past Exhibits
      • 2022 – The Power of M
      • 2021 – BMW Z
      • 2020 – Genesis
      • 2019 – Passion
      • 2018 – The Icon
      • 2017 – Heroes of Bavaria
    • Museum Membership
    • Collection
    • Library & Archives
    • Gallery
      • Photo Gallery
      • Video Gallery
  • Events
    • Event Signup
  • News
    • Foundation News
    • Newsletter
  • Donate & Support
    • Donate
    • Museum Membership
    • Other Ways to Give
      • Planned Giving
      • M Platz Society
      • Founders’ Garden
      • Donate to the Library & Archives
      • Donate a Vehicle
    • Sponsorship
    • Ambassador Program
      • Ambassador Contact List
      • Ambassador’s Tool-kit
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Volunteer Time Clock
  • Shop
The Ultimate Driving Museum
  • About
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Contact
    • FAQ
    • Foundation Board
    • Foundation Staff
    • Our Foundation
    • Street Survival
  • Museum
    • Buy Tickets
    • Current Exhibit
    • Past Exhibits
      • 2022 – The Power of M
      • 2021 – BMW Z
      • 2020 – Genesis
      • 2019 – Passion
      • 2018 – The Icon
      • 2017 – Heroes of Bavaria
    • Museum Membership
    • Collection
    • Library & Archives
    • Gallery
      • Photo Gallery
      • Video Gallery
  • Events
    • Event Signup
  • News
    • Foundation News
    • Newsletter
  • Donate & Support
    • Donate
    • Museum Membership
    • Other Ways to Give
      • Planned Giving
      • M Platz Society
      • Founders’ Garden
      • Donate to the Library & Archives
      • Donate a Vehicle
    • Sponsorship
    • Ambassador Program
      • Ambassador Contact List
      • Ambassador’s Tool-kit
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Volunteer Time Clock
  • Shop

1997 Z3: Amy and Wayne Lester

1997 BMW E36/7 Z3 2.8 roadster #LC04218

Engine: 2,793cc M52 inline six-cylinder

Curb weight: 2,844 pounds

Build date: 1997

Color: Sundown

Owner: Amy & Wayne Lester

Location: Nebo, North Carolina (since 1998)

From the moment Amy Lester saw a photograph of BMW’s retro-styled roadster, she had to have one. The car wasn’t even available yet, but she was already obsessed. Her husband Wayne didn’t mind: The Z3 was the perfect car for both Lesters, combining his interest in British roadsters and her experience restoring a BMW 3.0 CS coupe. The Lesters were heavily involved with the BMW CCA’s Peachtree Chapter, and they decided to start a club for Z3 owners before they’d even gotten one of their own. They also organized the first Z3 Homecoming in 1997.
Rather than settle for a four-cylinder Z3, Amy wanted to wait for the six-cylinder she knew would follow. Even then, she wanted something special. Visiting BMW Manufacturing, the Lesters spotted a Z3 2.8 in a coppery rose color called Sundown. “We had to have it,” Amy says. “It was just so different.”
Twenty-three years later, the Lesters still have their Sundown Z3 2.8, and they still drive it regularly. “We are currently at 410,000 miles, and they keep on coming,” Amy says. “The engine has never been disturbed, and it still looks pretty good. We get stopped often to say how pretty the color is and then we tell the admirers about the miles. It blows them away. As it is said, more smiles per mile!”

Hours

Mon - Fri: 9AM — 5PM
Sat: 10AM — 4PM
Sun: CLOSED
Holiday hours listed here.

Contact

T: 864-329-1919
F: 864-879-2128
info@bmwccafoundation.org

Support

Donate

Membership

Ambassador Program

Ambassadors

Volunteer

Volunteer Time Clock

Automotive Museum Guide Featured Museum

© 2023 The Ultimate Driving Museum