The exclusive Alpina that hides a BMW Z1 inside

There are vehicles that deserve their own section in automotive history, and this Alpina Roadster from the early 1990s is one of them. It's a limited-edition sports car based on the prestigious BMW Z1 (the first of the German brand's Z roadsters, with 8,000 units built since production began in 1989).

Only 66 of all the Z1s produced, leaving the factory between 1990 and 1991, became Alpina Roadsters. And this exceptional example, which goes up for auction in Italy on May 24, is one of them.

This is an exclusive and perfectly preserved limited-edition convertible designed by Alpina. Due to its rarity, it will likely become one of the most attractive cars in terms of value for money competing in the prestigious Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. It is expected to fetch around €150,000.

Performance Under the hood is a 2.7-liter, 200-hp, inline-six engine.

The Alpina brand operated for decades as a tuner for BMW cars, although it was later recognized as a car manufacturer in its own right by the German government. In 2022, BMW acquired the brand and absorbed it. This makes this model for sale so special.

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Alpina cars elevate BMWs to a new level in terms of style and performance, but without going overboard, as most remain recognizable as BMWs. This combination has allowed Alpinas to command a premium in the used car market and attract numerous enthusiasts of exclusive cars.

This Alpina Roadster Limited Edition is, in this sense, an already interesting car that the BMW tuner has taken a step further thanks to its experience. For example, Alpina added 20-spoke wheels and side stripes to the exterior.

Few copies Only 66 units of this variant of the German convertible saw the light of day.

Under the hood lies a 2.7-liter inline-six engine generating 200 hp, with upgraded pistons, camshafts, and cylinder head. It was also modified to make it even more powerful, gaining an additional 30 hp.

The brand also added several distinctive details, such as decorative vinyl trim both inside and outside the cabin. The bucket seats are made of high-quality leather.

The car was originally sold by a dealer for import to Japan and later arrived in the Netherlands in 2017. It was rarely used, with less than 30,000 kilometers on the odometer. Alpina originally sold it for around €123,000 in 1990. This was approximately 40% more than a Z1 and even more than a BMW M5 of the time. In the attached video, you can enjoy another of these perfectly preserved unique examples.