The ALPINA story

From typewriters to twin carburettors

Burkard Bovensiepen’s family business made precision typewriters, but his own future was shaped by BMW’s new 1500. In the early 1960s he developed a Weber twin-carburettor conversion that gave the Neue Klasse more power without destroying its civility. BMW recognised the quality of the work and retained the factory warranty when the conversion was installed. ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen KG was formally established in 1965.

The company name came from the family’s typewriter business; the crest later combined a carburettor and crankshaft. Those symbols captured the early ALPINA formula: detailed engine work rather than cosmetic theatre.

Racing improved the road cars

ALPINA became deeply involved with BMW competition machinery in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Touring-car success—most famously with the lightweight 3.0 CSL—built expertise in engines, aerodynamics, suspension and durability. Drivers associated with ALPINA included Niki Lauda, Derek Bell, Jacky Ickx and Hans-Joachim Stuck.

ALPINA withdrew from works racing in 1977 to concentrate on road-car manufacture. In 1978 it introduced a new family of complete cars, including the turbocharged B7 Turbo, at a time when turbocharging was still exotic.

Not simply a modified BMW

Germany’s transport authority recognised ALPINA as an automobile manufacturer in 1983. Complete cars carried their own manufacturer identity and ALPINA chassis number. The process remained closely integrated with BMW: donor cars were assembled with the required specification, then finished in Buchloe with ALPINA powertrain, chassis, aerodynamic, wheel and interior components.

The result was rarely a track-focused rival to BMW M. ALPINA favoured high torque, high-speed stability, supple suspension and discreet luxury—cars capable of crossing a continent quickly and arriving without exhausting their occupants.

Recognisable to those who know