PRICE WHEN NEW: 95.000 MARK
NUMBER BUILT: 61
COLOR: ROYAL BLUE METALLIC
OWNER: CAMERON PLEWES
LOCATION: CALGARY, CANADA
The story of this particular E30 ALPINA began in the heart of Munich, within the bustling workshops of BMW, where its initial assembly was completed in March of 1988. However, its true destiny lay a short distance away, in the skilled hands of ALPINA at Buchloe. In May of that same year, this E30 was dispatched to ALPINA for a transformation, emerging as the 16th of a mere 61 examples to receive the coveted B6 3.5S conversion. Its aesthetic was equally distinctive, cloaked in a sophisticated Royal Blue Metallic paint, accented by the subtle elegance of light grey ALPINA Deko Stripes.
ALPINA approached this E30 with a meticulous blend of performance enhancement and thoughtful engineering. Rather than opting for the more complex S14 engine found in the E30 M3, ALPINA chose the robust M30 engine. ALPINA engineers increased the compression ratio on the M30 and fitted it with a high-performance 280-degree camshaft and larger exhaust valves. Their meticulous tuning of the M30 resulted in a potent output of 254 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and a substantial 320 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. This increase in the engine's dimensions necessitated a modification to the firewall, ensuring a proper fit. The exhaust system was a bespoke ALPINA design, tailored specifically for this model, flowing from the manifold to the muffler. Finally, to ensure the chassis could effectively handle the increased power, ALPINA added heavier front springs and their signature 16-inch ALPINA wheels.
Once its transformation was complete, this exceptional E30 ALPINA found its first owner through the Auto Borse GmbH dealership in Maintal, Germany. The early chapters of its ownership remain somewhat veiled. However, by 2005, the car had journeyed to France, finding a new owner who cherished its unique character. Thirteen years later, in 2018, Plewes, with a discerning eye for automotive history and a particular fondness for ALPINA Automobiles, brought the car across the Atlantic to Canada.