The Unknown Original 'Bahnstormer' (1 of 331 built) | ALPINA B11 3.5 Design Study
Some cars have a presence that is so utterly commanding you find yourself just wanting to stare at them almost more than drive them.
This ultra rare and barely known super sedan certainly is one of them. This particular car is a re-import from Japan and as is usual with cars from the land of the rising sun it is highly spec'd, rust free and low mileage.
The engine is a modified M30B35 3.5L 2 valve straight 6 delivering super smooth and refined power delivery. The engine was often put into motorboats due to its torque curve and earned it the nickname 'boatmotor'. Alpina deployed classical modifications such as a sharper cam, lightened pistons, stainless steel exhaust with headers, tuned ECU and optimized intake with throttle body adjustments to arrive at a 20% power increase over the base engine.
Even though it lacked the prestige and extreme value of the V12 counterpart the B12 5.0 this B11 3.5 is a classic in Alpina history and brings together some of the greatest aspects of the brand - power, refinement, understatement, performance and exclusivity on top of world-class handling for a car of this size and weight.
Point in case - the rear seats (in the late 1980s!!):
The most interesting thing about the older 7 series is how much room you actually have inside. Yes, it is smaller on the outside than contemporary ones but the room and space perception inside the cabin is vastly different and feels much larger than in today's versions.
Signature Recaro bucket seats, fully powered and heated as well as Alpina specific leather upholstery make for some very cozy and luxurious long distance travel.
Typical details such as Alpina 20-spoke staggered wheels, Alpina stripes and badges as well as custom suspension (Bilstein/Eibach) in combination with Michelin tires and Alpina dials and front fascia round of the visual experience.
Classic BMW gauges full of class, clarity and readability in all light conditions. These were basically used and unchanged until the early 2000s.
Again the imposing and unmistakable frontend:
Hood lines introduced with this E32 sloping from edge of kidney grill up to A pillar, continued in the successor E38 and discontinued in the E65, then reintroduced in the F01.
Calling this sight 'mean' doesn't even begin to adequately describe it yet it still comes across as elegant sophistication - genius design language.
Needless to say the base car already offers plenty of design touches and well rounded proportions to build on. Of note is the spoiler lip which is carefully crafted into the trunk lid and connects to the upper rear shoulder line as well as the BMW typical rather high built greenhouse and rather slim front overhang:
In addition the E32 began the long standing tradition characterizing BMW rear lights to this day - the L-shape:
Ironically the new 3 series reintroduced the L-shape for the 2020 model year after a 20 year break.
Usually a car's front-end is the place to look at but with this particular platform I'd say the rear takes the cake.
This immaculate sample was first auctioned off on Ebay in 2006, listed again in 2010 and originally comes from Japan to the US. Today's whereabouts are unknown. The original auction is also since been taken down.
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I had a 3 series bmw from the 80's I loved that car, but it hated the snow of my New England Winters. It ultimately got rear ended in an accident and I was very thankful for it's tough heavy duty frame that let me walk away from such an accident. Our 5 series four day was also not so good in the snow. I drive volvo's now.
3 series from the 80s? I think I can relate...
I've had a few of those as well as an E32 7 series but never the 5 - been meaning to get my hands on a 5 especially the late 80s one looks marvelous!
As for the snow I can only say that those bimmers are very prone to corroding especially in heavy winters which is really a shame.
Can also confirm the riggidity, had more than one accident in E30s and I walked away every time including a high speed impact which I literally just 'got out of' - amazing.
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