COLOR: ALPINE WHITE WITH TORCH RED ACCENTS (ORGINALLY GRANADA)
OWNERS: MARK & ANN MCCLELLAND
OWNED SINCE: 2002
LOCATION: HAILEY, IDAHO
This incredible ALPINA is reminiscent of the early 1970s European motorsport, a thrilling era where innovation and passion collided on legendary circuits. This remarkable machine, a 1972 ALPINA 2002 Gr.2, isn’t just a car; it’s a tangible piece of racing history, a testament to the ingenuity of ALPINA and the dedication of enthusiasts like Mark McClelland, its devoted custodian since 2002. A pivotal moment in McClelland’s journey occurred in 1986. In a quiet bookshop in downtown Los Angeles, he discovered the first edition of “Unbeatable BMW.” He purchased the copy, unknowingly acquiring a foreshadowing of his future. On page 109, an image of an ALPINA 2002 lay dormant, waiting for its connection to be made nearly sixteen years later. An advertisement in Hemmings Motor News online, devoid of images but mentioning ALPINA wheels, sparked McClelland’s interest. Recognizing the potential significance, McClelland enlisted the expertise of a friend, a renowned BMW race car authority to assess the vehicle. His friend’s emphatic declaration, “I don’t know exactly what it is, but it’s the real deal,” confirmed McClelland’s excitement. Remarkably, the car he had been independently researching was the very one now within his grasp. This ALPINA 2002 holds a unique distinction. It was the very last 2002 campaigned by the factory ALPINA team. Its battle scars are the memories of grueling 4-hour, 6-hour, and 12-hour endurance races on iconic European circuits like Monza, the legendary Nürburgring, and the challenging Zandvoort. Beneath its racing livery lies a potent heart: a Schnitzer 16-valve engine. Meticulously restored by McClelland, dyno testing revealed its impressive output: 267 horsepower at a screaming 8300 RPM and 180 pound-feet of torque at 7500 RPM. Driven by a pantheon of racing legends – Burkhard Bovensiepen, Dieter Quester, Harald Grohs, and Harald Ertl.