Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sotheby's Santa Monica event, June
24, 2017.
Estimate:
$215,000 - $245,000 US
375 hp, 4.8-liter V-8 engine
BMW Steptronic automatic transmission
Number 343 of 555; one of 450 US-spec. cars produced
One owner since new, less than 15,000 miles
Includes hardtop
For more than 30 years, the Alpina company has produced niche
models for BMW. Offering cars for connoisseurs that are expensive,
the Alpina designation does not always indicate that the car is
more powerful or faster than the standard BMW, but it will ensure
that it will be most uncommon.
Primarily built for European customers, the Z8 Alpina targeted the
United States to increase not only the number of cars produced, but
spread the cost of engineering such fabulous pieces across a
greater volume.
Updating the classic 1956 to 1959 BMW 507 to its modern
interpretation was one of the targets of the BMW Z8 and this was
accomplished brilliantly. The Z8 Alpina became known as the final
run of the Z8 with changes in the mechanical specifications of
mainly the powertrain. The son of Alpina owner, Andy Bovensiepen,
stated that "we regard it as a design masterpiece that should not
be touched."
Powered by a 375 horsepower, 4.8-liter V-8 engine that is paired
with a five-speed BMW Steptronic automatic transmission; only 555
Z8 Alpinas were built for worldwide consumption. Of those, this is
number 343. It is being offered by the original owner with less
than 15,000 original miles and is topped by having the stunning
presentation of Fighter Jet Titanium over a red and black interior.
Alpina motifs include the seat backs, steering wheel center, door
sills, identification badge, instrument faces, engine cover, along
with a trunk area exterior emblem.
Along with luxury-oriented performance, the Z8 Alpina is equipped
with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, airbags, rollover protection
hoops, all-speed traction control, removable hardtop, air
conditioning, 20-inch factory alloy wheels, AM/FM radio; power
steering, brakes, and windows. The owner's original books and the
tool kit are also included.
After experiencing the modifications of the Z8 Alpina, Car and
Driver magazine commented that "with its easy-going power delivery
and automatic transmission, this is what this car should have been
all along."
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/.