Tuner Series - Alpina

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Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen KH, founded in 1965 by Burkard Bovensiepen (1936–2023) based in an outbuilding of a former typewriter manufacturer owned by his father,  who had traded under the name; Alpina.

Founder, Burkard Bovensiepen, pictured on the right.

Their modified cylinder heads and carburetors for BMW's were well received by BMW, indeed, BMW head of sales, Paul G. Hahnemann, had an earlier set up on his Neue Klasse BMW 1500, boosting power by 15% and getting the BMW seal of approval as they covered the conversion by their warranty from 1964. 

Never Klasse BMW 1800 wearing Alpina parts.

In 1968, Alpina took to the racetrack and the European Touring Car Championship, as well as Hillclimbs - very well supported on the European mainland. The highlight was in 1970, when the team's cars won the European Touring Car, German Hillclimb, Rally and Touring Car Championships as well as the prestigious 24 hour race at Spa.

1970 Spa 24hr Winning BMW 2800CS

Burkard Bovensiepen at the wheel of one of his road cars, ever the engineer, testing, tuning and improving Alpina's work.

Owned and restored by BMW, and original 1970 Alpina BMW 2002 Ti



In 1983, Alpina was registered as a car manufacturer in Germany, shifting its focus to complete cars, fully supported and warrantied by BMW.

1970 Alpina B6 based on the E9 2800CS model.


The Alpina C1 was one of the first 3-Series Alpinas to make their appearance. It was based on the E21 323i coupé but produced 168 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque.

The Alpina B7 was originally based on the E12 5-Series, as opposed to the 7-Series we know today. The B7 featured a 3.0-liter straight-6 from the 530i, but Alpina added a turbo the engine, boosting power to nearly 300 hp.

Alpina B7 Turbo Coupe

The 3.5L turbocharged inline-six under the hood makes 334 hp (339 PS / 249 kW)

 Mechanical upgrades include new Bilstein suspension, ventilated brake discs, and a 25-percent locking differential.

As a 10 year old I proudly wore this badge on one side of my Levi cut, a BMW logo on the other side, watching my father raced a 2002tii in the UK.

BMW 3.0 CSL wears it's "Batmobile" aero kit, a bit more than just a styling exercise.

The wheel, synonymous with Alpina models.

The side decal and spoiler, also synonymous with Alpina.

Alpina now completely owned by BMW, sitting as a stand alone halo brand.




#bmw #alpina #alpinabmw #bmwalpina #alpinahistory 

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