What did Alpina do before tuning BMWs?

[RayC911]

They made typewriters! I have 2 of these from a while ago. I'll post pics of the other one once I dust it off. Imagine BMW's race history if the office equipment business took off for Alpina?!?! A few more pics on my blog-> http://elefantsupply.com/

[xxx]

Well, before Opel was a car company they made sewing machines.

[bluedevils]

Well, before Opel was a car company they made sewing machines.

I wonder why some people refer to 4-bangers as "sewing machines", must be the Opel connection... Too bad GM doesn't make a hybrid sewing machine..Regal Hybrid Pattern Tacker would be a nice seat belt sewing machine brand..

[BMW0299]

Well, before Opel was a car company they made sewing machines.

Before NOKIA made cell phones, they made rubber boots and tires.

[Armond]

Tandy Corporation was a leather goods factory before they became Radio Shack and BBS was into making plastic auto body parts in the 70's..

[Pancake]

Funny, thought Alpina started as a tuner company. Didn't the founder tune FIATs or something pre WWII? NM, seems you were correct.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpina_B7

Right there in the history, they started with typewritters

And for what the used to make, Lamborghini anyone? From tractors to world class supercars.

[DavidLMM]

Tandy is still in the leather business, there's a retail store just up the street. Several auto manufacturers started out in textiles/mills - Toyota comes to mind, but there are others.

David

[Guest Anonymous]

I did a mini-piece on my blog on this some time ago (ALPINA logo that is).

http://www.alpinabmw2002.com/2010/06/alpina-logo-evolution.html

[JohnS]

Looks like Alpina is now also into wine?

http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/en/alpina-company/alpina-wine.html

[c.d.iesel]

....and YAMAHA was aircraft propellers, musical instruments...

before m/c Road Racers-=>

crossed tuning-forks is the logo on the gas tank

[SteveJ]

...and Fry's Electronics came from Fry's Grocery stores. I guess they figured people in the SF Bay Area would rather tinker with electronics than eat.

[AceAndrew]

shoot...

Battista Farina (founder of Pininfarina) started out by working in his brothers auto repair shop and hot rodded customer cars. He visited Henry Ford and turned him down on a job offer.

[austinc]

I'm partial to Lamborghini's tractor roots.

[Armond]

...and Fry's Electronics came from Fry's Grocery stores. I guess they figured people in the SF Bay Area would rather tinker with electronics than eat.

LOL

[Guest Anonymous]

....and YAMAHA was aircraft propellers, musical instruments...

before m/c Road Racers-=>

crossed tuning-forks is the logo on the gas tank

And on a few of my guitars. they make nice stuff.