Alpina Restoration

[Mike in CT]

Perfect! Congrats.

[M I C H A E L]

Wow.

[garylafortuna]

Eloquently stated Taylor. You have I believe expressed the sentiments and feelings of all of us. Way to go Roger.

[jcs1966]

Outstanding Roger, well done

[nate325]

Congratulations on finishing this Roger. Every forum needs more of this type of work!

[rogbmw]

10/8/14 UPDATE
---------------------
I was notified that the Alpina was placed into the Zentrum late yesterday afternoon. Hope to get some pictures soon....

[KRUZEN840]

Roger. As the proud, and rightfully so I would add, artist "lending" his latest creation to public display, there must be a double edged sword of feelings. Pride in the end result of many years of work, but also some sense of loss. While our e31 are wonderful cars to view, we really receive the most satisfaction from driving them! Perhaps you can convince the powers at BMW to release your Alpina for a quick "lunch run" on Friday? How long could it that them to wipe 280 miles of road dust off your beauty upon it's return?

Just a thought.

[kiwiCSi]

Take a bow, Roger!

She is a picture of beauty, and will be doubly impressive to view in the metal, I'm sure!

The pictures show the finished product, but they can never convey the incredible amount of hard work that has gone into this car.

For me it's been a fascinating thread to follow - even as a relative newcomer to the forum - and I'm going to miss the constant progress reports, now that she's completed.

Like everyone else who can't attend Eurofest, I'm looking forward to some great pictures of this stunning Alpina, on display in the Zentrum.

Finally, when the show's over, I hope you and Marcia can get some time to relax and just enjoy driving the car.

[silversunbeam]

A b-i-g plus one!

[MHambrice]

A b-i-g plus one!

+8

[jef]

Awesome. I can't wait to see it in person.

[MParallel]

Wow, it's like...new!

[gixxerboy63]

Awesome job, Roger! These pics deserve a photo bump.











































Will you be at Eurofest in South Carolina next weekend?

[Ed Lyerly]

Awesome job, Roger! These pics deserve a photo bump.

Will you be at Eurofest in South Carolina next weekend?

It's there now ... inside in the museum .... waiting on all of us one week from today !

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...at-the-Zentrum

[gixxerboy63]

I was at the Zentrium this morning for a plant tour and saw it in person for the first time. What an amazing car!

[rogbmw]

Thanks to everyone for all the comments. The car is scheduled to come home soon as the Zentrum needs the room for something coming up. Actually, I can't wait to go over it again for any necessary "tweaking" it needs and drive it. Anyone want to go for a drive through central florida?

[MHambrice]

Sounds like the start of a plan!

[peteWine]

Simply gorgeous! Beautiful work!

[MarkyMark1]

Love these cars in alpina form. Near on perfection when Alpina did these cars.

- - - Updated - - -

Also like the fact it's an auto, as all b12 5.7 are manual, and all B12 5.0 were autos ...right??

[rogbmw]

Love these cars in alpina form. Near on perfection when Alpina did these cars.

- - - Updated - - -

Also like the fact it's an auto, as all b12 5.7 are manual, and all B12 5.0 were autos ...right??

All B12 5.0 cars were automatics.
All B12 5.7 cars started with the 6 speed, but Alpina built 18 (if I remember correctly) B12 5.7 ShiftTronic cars. With the ShiftTronic, Alpina started with the 6-speed, then changed it into a clutchless 6-speed. The ShiftTronic was extremely complex, and very expensive to service. Essentially one has to take it back to Alpina for work, and several ShiftTronic 5.7s were converted back to regular 6-speed cars.

[olinjohnston]

All B12 5.0 cars were automatics.
All B12 5.7 cars started with the 6 speed, but Alpina build 18 (if I remember correctly) B12 5.7 ShiftTronic cars. With the ShiftTronic, Alpina started with the 6-speed, then changed it into a clutchless 6-speed. The ShiftTronic was extremely complex, and very expensive to service. Essentially one has to take it back to Alpina for work, and several ShiftTronic 5.7s were converted back to regular 6-speed cars.

If only 18 were built, and some were converted, I wonder how many ShiftTronic B12 coupes are left in operation...

[72tpik5]

Thanks to everyone for all the comments. The car is scheduled to come home soon as the Zentrum needs the room for something coming up. Actually, I can't wait to go over it again for any necessary "tweaking" it needs and drive it. Anyone want to go for a drive through central florida?

You actually drive it? It is way to beautiful and rare to take on public roadways! I could never own it. I would worry myself to death about it. ��

[inkacola]

All i can say is wow sir, you have taken this to a level that just leaves one speechless. Congratulations on a great build. Speaking for myself, there is a lot to learn from this thread. I have a gem that needs this same kind of attention. Once again, very nice op. May i ask where you got your wheels refinished? I have a set of Alpinas that need to be redone the right way. Thanks.

[rogbmw]

All i can say is wow sir, you have taken this to a level that just leaves one speechless. Congratulations on a great build. Speaking for myself, there is a lot to learn from this thread. I have a gem that needs this same kind of attention. Once again, very nice op. May i ask where you got your wheels refinished? I have a set of Alpinas that need to be redone the right way. Thanks.

Thanks for the kind compliments. I got my wheels refinished in Jacksonville, Florida. I can look up what company refinished them - they were checked for trueness, and anything necessary was done, then they were powdercoated. I then put on new genuine Alpina emblems and locks, and replaced the sealing O-rings (both the large seals, and the small O-rings on the locks). PM me and I can get the information on the wheel refinishers for you.

[Court M3]

I spent just over two hours reading this thread on a sleepless Bahrain night last night, and can't help but admire how much hard work was put into this car. As someone coming from/going back to retire in Japan can't wait to find my own 8er or just Alpina. This thread has given me so much inspiration