<< Back

Alpina C2 2.7 Cab

Mileage: 127,100 Top Speed: 140 Year: 1989 0 - 60: 6.9 MOT Expiry: Sep 11 BHP: 210 Tax Expiry: Dec 10 Transmission: 5 Speed Manual Exterior Colour: Alpine White Engine Capacity: 2693 Interior Colour: Grey Check Engine Configuration: I6

Alpina C2 2.7 Cab | £8,495

Mileage: 127,100

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.

 

Alpinas base model for the C2 2.7 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 based on a 325i convertible.

 

The 325i engine is striped and redesigned by Alpina with a longer throw crank increasing capacity to 2693cc hence the 2.7 badge. Lightweight Mahle pistons are added and improvements made to the engines breathing ability with a reworked cylinder head including oversize inlet and exhaust valves as well as a performance camshaft and a tubular exhaust manifold and exhaust system. All this balanced then dyno tuned with a modified Bosch Motronic fuel injection system before being fitted to the car. The results 210bhp and 213lbft torque up 23 and 28 per cent respectively on the standard 2.5 unit.

 

The C2's suspension retains BMW's Mac-Pherson struts and anti roll bars front and rear, Alpina adds it own stiffer lower springs and Bilstein telescopic gas dampers along with the classic Alpina designed 16 inch multi spoke wheels.

Equipment

 Air Conditioning, Multi function computer, Headlight wipers, CD player, Electric mirrors, Electric windows.

Exterior

If you like the classic chrome bumper look this makes a great alternative to the M3. Bodywork wise this C2 2.7 Alpina is in excellent order, its only had 2 owners and you can tell they have both looked after it. There is no nasty rust spots on the car and looking down each side the body is straight with no dinks or damage, there are a couple of stone chips on the front but nothing of major worry. The chrome is perfect without any pitting and all the plastic trim is undamaged. The hood is water tight and in good order with only a small fray around the rear window and base of the hood.

Interior

This car has had 2 lady owners so despite the 127k there are no visible wear marks to the seats, the bolster has not even started to sag. All the electrics work as they should, the only improvement that has been made is the install of a Pioneer CD player.

Engine & Transmission

The C2's smooth 2.7 engine has been very well maintained and serviced every year regardless of mileage covered. It has also had the all important cam-belt changed at 49k and again at 85k. The gear box is light with a crisp gear change and the clutch has just been replaced by us. While we had the gearbox out we thought it wise to replace the output shaft seal that was leaking slightly as well as the propshaft coupling that was starting to show signs of wear. Sump gaskets are also prone to leak and this Alpina was no exception so after a thorough service and overhaul, the fluids were checked and topped up before being released back onto the road.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

It's fitted with the original 16" Alpina alloys as fitted by Sytner in 1987, they are all immaculate other than one tiny curb mark on the passenger front wheel. The tyres are matching Dunlop 205/50/16's all round with plenty of tread left.  The brakes are in good working order and pull the car up in a nice straight line.

History File

This Alpina C2 2.7 was supplied to its first owner in August 1987 direct from Sytner, it had the all important running in service carried out the same year. It was then serviced in line with the BMW schedule at BMW New Central Garage in Cobham until it was sold to the current owner in 1991. Since then the car has been serviced every year by a couple of different independent specialists. Included in the history file are 10 old tax disks and 8 MOT certificates.