1988 BMW 320i 'Alpina Enhanced' Convertible

Description

Founded by Burkard Bovensiepen as a BMW tuning business in the mid-1960s, Alpina initially concentrated on racing and enjoyed significant success, winning the 1970 European Touring Car Championship. In 1983 Alpina gained recognition as a fully fledged automotive manufacturer from the German Federal Ministry of Transport, carving out a niche alongside BMW’s in-house M-Sport performance division. Alpina offered a series of high performance models based on BMW’s sophisticated second generation 3-Series launched in early 1983, badged as the C1 and C2. Firmly established as the best compact sports saloon money could buy, the E30 range combined exceptional German engineering and superb build quality with plenty of performance from both four and six-cylinder engines. Compared with the relatively stock C1, the C2 saw the M20 bored out to 2552cc for additional torque and in February 1986 the larger 2.7-litre engine appeared, developing 210 horsepower and 267 Nm of torque, giving the Alpina an impressive top speed of 227 km/h. A revised C2 model followed, using the M20B25 engine block with raised compression ratio, unique intake manifold, bigger throttle bodies and custom pistons (flat Mahle pistons in pre-catalytic converter cars, domed KS pistons in cat form), developing 204 bhp and 266 Nm of torque. Other features include a limited-slip differential, bigger fuel tank, leather upholstered sports seats and Alpina’s unique exterior enhancements, including special alloy wheels. While the first generation 3-Series had only been sold in two-door guise, BMW expanded the model range for its successor to include both two and four-door saloons, a touring estate and even a full convertible and Alpina’s C2 conversion was available on any body style. An estimated 309 C2 2.7-litre were built by the Alpina factory, with further number of RHD dealer conversions. Rarer and faster than an E30 M3, the Alpina C2 2.7 is an underrated classic and better still, a fabulous driving experience.