Alpina Founder has died

[Charles in PA]

Alpina founder Burkard Bovensiepen has died aged 87

WWW.TOPGEAR.COM

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The man whose company made the coolest BMWs has passed away. What a legacy

 

[Mike Self]

He was a real pioneer and did BMW a world of good, even though for many years Alpina wasn't well known here in the States--here Alpine meant a Sunbeam sports car or a sporty Renault-based coupe.  

 

In the spring of 1970 I received AF orders to Wiesbaden Germany for a three year tour.  I could take Wolfgang, my year-old 2002 with me.  I had heard of Alpina, thanks to the Car & Driver article about the Alpina-modified 1600 with the two liter engine so was ready to stuff everything Alpina I could into my '02 while I was there.   Alas, ten days before my port call date my orders were canceled, and three months later I received new orders--to Vietnam.  Not only was there no Alpina stuff there, but I couldn't even take my car.  Lost opportunity, but at least I still have the car!

 

mike

[Lorin]

RIP. 
 

[markmac]

I think he lived a very good, long life, more than a few folks have no idea what Alpine (er...'ALPINA') is, better yet was (back in the tuner days).  I was first exposed to their gear when I was in college at UC Berkeley.  I had a '69 2002 and Hardy & Beck was right next door.  I couldn't afford any of it then being a poor college student, but I could look!  Over the years later on I came to own (and use) pretty much every part they ever made for a 2002, and of course now own one of BB's favorite cars (according to folks at Alpina).  This is a really great image of him posing with the car, head engineer Dr. Fritz Indra behind the wheel.

[bob02]

RIP Burkard. I was fortunate to visit ALPINA about 15 years ago and will never forget the experience. I'll forever be a disciple of the ALPINA church!

 

 Bob