WilD
Reader
12/16/08 10:18 a.m.
So, are old Alpina cars unobtanium in the US? I really like the look of the E21 and E28 Alpina hot rods but can find very little US based information. The online discussion boards I have found are euro centric and I know these cars were not officially sold in the states. Anyone have any tips on where to look for information or a car? With the rarity, these could be out of my price range if they do exist, but it would be a cool car to own.
I can't really speak for the E28, but I know the E21 Alpina was strictly a gray-market car. If you hang out on the sites you can glean some info, but most of it is strictly second-hand, since few people have ever seen one.
Since they were graymarket, you're probably better off with the Euro sites for info. They were never really americanized, so the differences are MOSTLY small. Of course being graymarket, any of them here are likely to have some things that are weird and different than the Euro version. That will probably depend on who imported them and what they did.
As for finding one... they're out there, but obviously not thick on the ground. The good news is that an E21 Alpina would still be fairly reasoanably priced, if you could find one.
Of course, the E30 is still probably a better car, but don't let that stop you. E21s are cooler than (most) E30s.
Funny, there is an alpina 328(I think that's what it is) the older model near me. I don't know how real it is but if you want I could go snap a few photos. It looks pretty cool and I think it is real, I've never seen phony alpina paraphernilia like the M stuff.
WilD
Reader
12/17/08 9:48 a.m.
Photos are always appreciated.
Regarding real Alpinas, based on my limitted forum reading, "phony" cars are pretty prolific, especially here in the states.
There are a few guys on the www.mye28.com forum with Alpina cars. As mentioned, most of them in the US are probably replicas but there are a few genuine ones here.
WilD
Reader
12/18/08 1:03 p.m.
I would actually be happy with a replica if nicely done and priced right. Unfortunately, after posting this topic I was suprised to learn that I and all of my coworkers are getting a 25% salary reduction. So, no more cars for me. Merry Christmas.