As one-of-136 factory cars built for Japan, this one is already as rare as they get.
Its configuration of a Touring body with a manual transmission narrows it down to one-of-20 ever made.
Factory Alpina cars from the ’90s are rare.
The United Kingdom received kit-assembled cars by BMW dealer Sytner, and Aussies a smattering of locally outfitted BMWs, but never anything official.
In fact, we never actually received any genuine factory-built Alpina cars before 2016. That’s mainly because they were all built in left-hand drive for the European market. With NSW, VIC, and QLD road rules now allowing 25-year-old left-hand drive cars to be registered in Australia, it’s about time we got us some of the good stuff.
This example is one of 136 Alpina B6 Tourings built exclusively for the Japanese market. The Japanese have a penchant for lovely European things, and Alpina was reciprocal as to gifting them their own models via its official main dealer called Nicole.
Of the 136 Alpina B6 Tourings created for the Japanese market, less than 20 featured a factory manual transmission. This makes the car a globally rare and significant vehicle that has only had one private owner from the outset.
Under the bonnet lies a warmed-up BMW 2.8-litre straight-six engine. Throw in the Oxford green paint, and you have something quite desirable and significantly rare on your hands.
The car pictured – 1997 Alpina B6 Touring 2.8
This Alpina B6 Touring was built in May 1997. It was purchased from USS Tokyo as a Grade 4.0B and one-owner vehicle. It comes with Alpina car collateral and original paperwork.
A 2.8-litre ‘M52″ naturally aspirated six-cylinder with 180 kW/293 Nm and a five-speed manual transmission powers it. Standard features include bigger brakes and an improved ride and handling package, climate control air conditioning, an electric sunroof, and numerous Alpina appointments like an exterior body kit.
The exterior presents in good condition with slight weathering occurring to the side mirrors and upward sections of paintwork. Included in the price is a repaint of these areas to a high standard via a paint shop we work with frequently.
We can reduce the price if you choose to keep the car as it is. Although pictured with an aftermarket steering wheel, the car will come fitted with an appropriate BMW M-Tech steering wheel.
The rest of the interior is in above-average condition for its age.
Quick facts
- 1997 Alpina B6 Touring 2.8
- Factory-built Alpina car with Alpina VIN and build plate
- Supplied by Nicole – the offical Alpina distributor in Japan
- Manual transmission
- One-owner example
- One of twenty with a manual transmission, one of 136 ever built
- Alpina body kit
- Alpina ride and handling package
- 2.8-litre BMW M52 with upgrades
- Vehicle to be comprehensively serviced upon its arrival
- Japanese de-registration paperwork and auction paperwork available
- Price includes the repainting of weathered areas
- Price includes the fitment of a genuine BMW M-Tech steering wheel
- Left-hand drive – road registrable in all states in Australia
- Price includes three months NSW registration
- Price includes engineering for road registration
- Price includes a NSW roadworthy
The B6 Touring was produced between 1996-1998. In total, 136 were built.Alpina-archive.com
