Yahoo News 1984 BMW Alpina B6 2.8 on BaT Is the Ultimate '80s 3-Series
Alpina is well known in Europe for creating special BMW variants.
This B6 combines tuned inline-six power with a lively 3-series chassis.
The interior features custom touches including the seats, steering wheel, and gearshift.
Every Alpina both is and isn't a BMW. On one hand, the chassis did come as a body-in-white from BMW's Bavarian factories. On the other hand, each car is hand-assembled to order, fitted with its own unique VIN, and Alpina is considered by Germany's government to be a full manufacturer in its own right. (Although BMW recently absorbed it into the fold.) Whatever the case, Alpinas are all very special cars, and highly desirable. Why, here comes one now.
This 1984 Alpina B6 2.8 is an E30 BMW with some lovely touches, and it's up for auction on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos). Based on the 323i, the Alpina version brings specially tuned inline-six power into the mix, as well as a host of interior upgrades and external tweaks. Check out how good those signature 20-spoke wheels look on this 1980s icon. It's a knockout.
Part of the appeal of an Alpina is exclusivity, and this example is claimed to be the third of just 259 built. Outside, you get Alpina's gold stripe package over metallic grey paint, along with front and rear spoilers, both of which are new. Inside, you get Recaro sport seats with Alpina striping, a four-spoke Momo steering wheel, and Alpina gauges and shift knob. If you look closely at the Alpina crest, you'll see that it features carburetors and a crankshaft, the tuning parts the company was first famous for.
Speaking of tuning, the B6's 2.8-liter engine left the Alpina factory with Mahle pistons, modified combustion chambers, increased compression, and tweaks to the camshaft and exhaust. All told it was good for 210 horsepower, sending that power to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential.
This one sits a little lower than factory on H&R lowering springs and boasts fresh Bilstein dampers. The E30 is justly praised for its elemental driving experience, and this version should be even better. The power is a little more than you'd get from an E30 M3, but that tuned inline-six provides entirely different power delivery—more like 5-series power in a 3-series chassis.
Even better is the transparent amount of labor that's already been done here. The seller's previous work extends to everything from suspension to brakes to even replacement of the fuel tank. All told, it was an eight-month overhaul, most of which was covered on video you can watch.
Alpinas are even more uncommon in the U.S. than they are in Europe, so here's a rare chance to grab the keys to a handbuilt delight that's BMW's best polished to a glow.
The auction ends November 13th.
You Might Also Like
