German tuner Alpina’s foray into hot-rodding BMW engines reportedly started in the early 1960s in an outbuilding at a typewriter factory in Buchloe, Germany. By 1965, founder Burkard Bovensiepen established an official BMW-tuning business. In 1983, after converting all manner of BMW models with performance and cosmetic enhancements, the German Federal Ministry of Transport recognized Alpina as an automobile manufacturer.

The B7 Turbo Coupe, launched in 1978, was Alpina’s first full conversion for BMW’s 6 Series platform. It featured a more powerful, turbocharged variant of BMW’s 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine sourced from the contemporaneous 630 CSi. Additional improvements included upgraded Bilstein suspension, ventilated brake discs, and a body kit with signature Alpina multi-spoke wheels. Alpina has steadfastly continued this fine tradition of engineering all-encompassing modifications to each successive generation of BMW model. Nonetheless, the B7 Turbo has been, and continues to be, the company’s most famous and highly desired model.

BMW’s release of a 1982 engine update for their 6 Series, E24/1 chassis code, prompted a well-developed response from Alpina to further improve the performance capabilities of its own aftermarket products beyond what was now available from the BMW factory. Alpina shortly thereafter replied with the B7 Turbo/1, powered by a specially developed turbocharged engine displacing 3.5 liters and rated at 334 horsepower. Rather importantly, in opposition to BMW’s touring-focused base 6 Series, the B7 Turbo/1 was a true driver’s car only available with a Getrag five-speed manual transmission. For its own part, BMW’s Motorsport division released its performance-oriented M635CSi/M6 in 1986, though it was still significantly slower—and less expensive–than the Alpina B7 Turbo/1.

This B7 Turbo/1 is number 58 of just 110 examples produced from April 1984 through August 1987. It was delivered new to its first registered owner near Dusseldorf, Germany in September 1986 via the BMW dealer Autohaus Unterbach GmbH. An accompanying Alpina order sheet declares that it was specified with Diamond Black paint and black leather upholstery, a combination that it still wears today. Additional options include signature Alpina graphics, a pair of Recaro sport seats, an electric sunroof, a 25-percent locking differential, and electronically heated cabin glass with green tint. The 3.5-liter turbocharged straight-six engine is numbers-matching.

Registration documents show that the car remained in Germany until November 2015, accruing consistent mileage under at least two recorded owners. The consignor purchased this B7 Turbo/1 at that time and imported it to Switzerland, adding only approximately 200 kilometers (about 124 miles) since acquiring it.

An incredibly potent and equally rare Alpina from an era when the focus was producing true thoroughbred sports cars, the B7 Turbo/1 was truly a world-beating sport coupe, an ideal blend of luxury, practicality, and performance. Guaranteed to provide thrills for its next owner, this B7 Turbo/1, with its accommodating “2+2” seating, would be the perfect collectible “youngtimer” for the enthusiast looking to enjoy Alpina thrills with friends or family in tow.