1516352

Legal delivery to BMW dealer Bovensiepen (Kaufbeuren, Germany) on February 16, 1967.

This is an important car, particularly because it represents a rare example of a U.S.-imported car shipped first to Alpina’s shop in Kaufbeuren, Germany, where it was substantially modified by the renowned tuner. It is an early 1600-2, manufactured in February 1967 — 1600-2 production began in March 1966, with few examples entering the U.S. in 1966. And it is, at least for now, the earliest documented Alpina-modified ‘02 entering the U.S. But, wait, there’s more! This car is tricked out with all the Alpina bells and whistles, cost be damned. The Alpina mods more than doubled the car’s original price. And because the car pre-dates the 1968 model year, when substantive emissions regulations first took effect, it could be imported with a fabulous “Emissions? What’s emissions?” engine. And then the whole enchilada was road-tested by Car and Driver, practically as the car was off-loaded from the ship. Just imagine a new owner so enthusiastic about his new car that he allows Car and Driver to break it in! Yes: important and very special!

The car has been discussed in at least a few threads, such as the following:

and:

But what really brought this car to our attention is the road test of the car that appeared in the December 1968 issue of Car and Driver, as attached.