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Alpina C1 2.3

Mileage: 50,971 Top Speed: 132 Year: 1984 0 - 60: 7.0 MOT Expiry: 12 months BHP: 170 Tax Expiry: Expired Transmission: 5 speed manual Exterior Colour: Lapis blue Engine Capacity: 2315cc Interior Colour: Dark grey cloth Engine Configuration: Inline 6

Alpina C1 2.3 | £19,995

Mileage: 50,971

Model History

Typewriters or fast cars, this was the choice for young Buckard, son of the German Bovensiepen family that by trade made typewriters. This was back in 1960s when in the face of a disapproving German Automotive manufacturing industry Buckard established Alpina, a BMW tuning business. Tinkering with carburettors and cylinder heads Buckard had success with the then current BMW 1500 range in 1963 and by 1965 Alpina had a turnover of 200K and seven employees.

 

Alpina really established itself from 1968 with a hugely successful racing career that spanned 9 winning years, the highlight being 1970 in which Alpina team cars won the electrifying European touring car championship, the German hill climbing championship and the prestigious Spa 24 hour race. Legendary race drivers Derek Bell, Niki Lauda and Hans Stuck have all raced Alpina prepared BMW 2002s and CS coupes during their racing careers.

 

Since 1970 Alpina have had TUV status allowing them to build and register cars as Alpina rather than under the BMW badge. All Alpina cars can still be bought through BMW dealerships and still fall inside BMWs warranty scheme, a testament to Alpinas engineering achievement and ability.

 

Alpina's base model for the C1 was BMWs E30 chassis, introduced by BMW in 1983 and spanning 12 years of production it replaced the E21 chassis, both chassis sold as the 3 series. This particular car is based on an E30 323i.

 

With the second-generation 3-Series, the E30, Alpina had focused their efforts on the six-cylinder models, instead of the four-cylinder models found in the E21 chassis. Alpina produced several versions of the six-cylinder E30 based cars, this C1 2.3 produces 170 bhp, which propels the car to 60mph in just 7 seconds. Alpina produced only 35 examples of the C1 2.3, making this a rather rear beast indeed.

Equipment

Alpina gear knob and steering wheel, Alpina over-mats, Recaro sports seats trimmed in the famous doule pinstrip cloth, Alpina plaque stating production number 0112, Sony stereo, Alpine speakers, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Rare air-conditioning option, Trip computer, Rear window blind, Heated rear screen, Lockable petrol cap.

Exterior

This Alpina C1 presented in Lapis blue is a sight to behold for any petrol head. E30 BMW's are renowned for having areas of rust, especially the scuttle, wheel arches and front floor pans. Finding a rust free E30 in any disguise is difficult, let alone an Alpina C1. This car has no evidence of any corrosion whatsoever and remains in superb original condition.

 

With the exception of a couple of light stone chips, the Lapis blue paintwork remains in amazing original condition, as is the underside of the car. The wheel arches are still showing the shiny blue paint, front and rear bumpers are showing no signs of scuffs, door-line trims are still fitting perfectly and the boot spoiler is free from any cracks.

 

The car is proportioned just right with the classic silver Alpina decals running the length of the body, the deep aggressive front spoiler and the angular BMW panels that all help to create a sense of excitement to this rare machine. If you are looking for a rust free, low mileage, rare E30, this example ticks all the boxes.

Interior

Sitting within the C1 you instantly realize you are behind the wheel of something different, something special. The Interior, featuring sports Recaro seats trimmed in the famous double pinstrip cloth are in particularly fine condition looking almost as new. The rear seats certainly look as if no one has ever sat on them. The 4 spoke Alpina steering wheel which always seem to show signs of wear, has almost none. The carpet remains unmarked and the original Alpina over-mats (of which we have never seen) looking as if they were fitted yesterday. The Alpina plaque is still in place, stating the model and production number #0112. 

Engine & Transmission

With the original stamped service booklet still present, it is evident that this low mileage (50k miles) C1 is in fine mechanical order. The 2.3 litre engine fires into life at the first turn of the key and idles up to temperature correctly with a deep crisp exhaust note. The car is fitted with the 5 speed dogleg sports gearbox and comes as standard with a limited slip diff. The gearbox still feels solid and precise to operate, pulling through the gears with ease and handling the engines power perfectly.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

The correct 16" multi-spoke Alpina alloy wheels are still present with their locking caps. All of the wheels remain in the original factory coat of paint, having never required a refurbishment. The wheels are shod in a matching set of Falken tyres all of which have a good 6-7mm of tread remaining. The brakes are in as new condition and feel very strong and confident, bringing the car to a standstill quickly and smoothly.

History File

The Alpina C1 has recently been imported to the UK, a fresh V5 and MOT certificate can be found in the history file along with the original document holder containing a fully stamped service booklet and owner's manuals.