In the early 1960s, Alpina, a German tuner, reportedly embarked on the endeavor of enhancing BMW engines. The origins of this venture can be traced back to a typewriter factory’s outbuilding in Buchloe, Germany. By 1965, Burkard Bovensiepen, the founder, established an official BMW-tuning business. Through their expertise in performance and cosmetic enhancements, Alpina converted various BMW models, leading to their recognition as an automobile manufacturer by the German Federal Ministry of Transport in 1983.
In 1978, Alpina introduced the B7 Turbo Coupe, marking their first complete conversion for BMW’s 6 Series platform. This extraordinary vehicle boasted a turbocharged version of BMW’s 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine sourced from the contemporaneous 630 CSi. The B7 Turbo Coupe not only offered increased power but also featured upgrades such as enhanced Bilstein suspension, ventilated brake discs, and a body kit adorned with iconic Alpina multi-spoke wheels.
Alpina has since remained committed to this exceptional tradition of engineering comprehensive modifications for each subsequent generation of BMW models. Nevertheless, the B7 Turbo Coupe continues to hold the distinction of being Alpina’s most renowned and highly coveted model.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
