Mainstream success in the early 1990s favoured those who accepted that a cultural shift towards modesty was coming.

Naturally, the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini cared not a jot for political correctness but mainstream manufacturers had to be careful when it came to the launch of an all new sports car.

Ironically it was the phenomenal success of Mazda’s little MX-5 that prompted the development of many new roadsters and BMW could see a market for a reliable and modestly handsome mid-priced alternative.

When the Z3 Roadster was launched in 1995 the deal that BMW made with the producers of the first James Bond film in six years was intended to be a cross-promotional enterprise, giving kudos to the first non-British car provided by Q-Branch, whilst EON Productions hedged their bets with a new Bond and a major marketing saving.

Three BMW models followed, and although Pierce Brosnan spent more time in a Soviet T-55 tank in Golden

Eye than in the two Z3 prototypes used for filming, sa...