Alpina was founded by Burkard Bovenspiepen as a simple tuning shop in Bavaria over 40 years ago. Alpina has since morphed into a highly respected enhancement specialist in the touring/racing car sector. Its collaboration with BMW to create the Roadster V8, based upon the famed Z8, marked Alpina’s launch into the American market.

The Z8 was designed as a nostalgic nod to the much-revered BMW 507 – a model designed by Count Albrecht Goetz – which personified the heart of European luxury sports touring from 1956 through 1959. By melding the nostalgia of the golden age of motorsports with the creature comforts of new technology, this sports car ticked every box, through aesthetics to performance.

Alpina took the E39 alloy V-8 engine from the 540i and pumped it up to 4.8 liters, minimally reducing horsepower to 395, but increasing torque and overall performance. The special-edition roadster tops out at 162 mph and can hit 60 in just five seconds. To mitigate the brutish power, Alpina added a more compliant suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and low-profile high-performance Michelin tires mounted on the 20-in. multi-spoke wheels, unique to the Alpina design. The new Roadster V8 features the five-speed Steptronic automatic transmission with overdrive and a discrete shift-control mechanism located behind the steering wheel rim. The cockpit is loaded with comfort and convenience and as a reminder of the exclusivity of this limited-production sports car, a plaque located between the seats denotes the production number of each individual Roadster.

This gorgeous BMW Alpina Roadster V8 was completed in 2003 and is the 126th of 555 special edition cars, of which 450 were bound for North America. The alloy body shell and chassis were constructed in the BMW Dingolfing factory and the engine was assembled at Alpina’s Buchloe atelier. The powertrain and chassis were then assembled in the Munich plant and the car was finished in this superb combination of Titan Silver Metallic over the exclusive Alpina red interior. Stored and maintained for most of its life, this gorgeous Alpina roadster has merely 2,300 miles on the odometer and looks and drives like new. Along with the matching removeable hardtop, the car includes its original tool kit, first aid kit, and assortment of owner’s manuals in their Alpina-branded leather folio.

For the discerning sports driver who hankers after the glory days of sports car excellence but appreciates the luxury and comfort of modern technology and styling, this limited-production BMW Alpina Roadster V8 must be a serious contender.