Hi, I think I've just found a 1980 E21 C1 local to me.

I've had a quick look and so far found that it's RHD, with the C1 23 badge on the left hand side of the grill looking from the front.

The headlights all have wiper's on them.

The engine rocker cover had the Alpina name cast into it.

Inside has the Alpina steering wheel and wooden gearstick, and I'm sure it's got the blue stripped seats in too.

It's also got the Alpina wheels and rear spoiler, but I'm sure it hasn't got the side stripes.

I'm going over again tomorrow to check furthur details such as the wheel/tyres size combo, vented front disc's, cast rear diff housing, speedo/tacho marking and extra centre gauge's.

Anything else I should check for to ensure that it is a geniune Alpina C1 model, and how rare are these models?

I'll also try and get pictures even if I don't do the deal.

thanks,

Rob.

The finned differential cover was optional as were the Alpina stripes. Also - vented front discs were standard on the 323i.

Hope this helps.

Diff cover didnt come on the C1's. Should still have a dash plaque that has a number 1,2,3,-build number. Should have a tire sticker in the trunk, should have a riveted alpina plate in the engine bay. Check the rear mufflers, that is key if they are still there, close to impossible to find original ones. You can check the engine block where it meets the tranny tunnel near the firewall. There will be a flat spot on the block with C1 2.3 plus the vin number, that will verify the engine is correct for that car. Right driver was a converted car at the Alpina dealer in the UK, synter I think it is?
As far as rarity, I have seen way more B6 cars come up for sale in the last 6 months. It has been noted that Alpina produced thousands of the C1's as compared to the limited B6 cars, but I havent seen to many for sale. There was a very nice black C1 with green stripes that came up for sale on ebay about 6 months ago and they guy had a terrible time selling it for 4,000 pounds. The car was close to perfect, so I was a bit suprised it didnt sell quicker and for more. It was also a RHD car from the UK.

Hi, I think I've just found a 1980 E21 C1 local to me.

I've had a quick look and so far found that it's RHD, with the C1 23 badge on the left hand side of the grill looking from the front.

The headlights all have wiper's on them.

The engine rocker cover had the Alpina name cast into it.

Inside has the Alpina steering wheel and wooden gearstick, and I'm sure it's got the blue stripped seats in too.

It's also got the Alpina wheels and rear spoiler, but I'm sure it hasn't got the side stripes.

I'm going over again tomorrow to check furthur details such as the wheel/tyres size combo, vented front disc's, cast rear diff housing, speedo/tacho marking and extra centre gauge's.

Anything else I should check for to ensure that it is a geniune Alpina C1 model, and how rare are these models?

I'll also try and get pictures even if I don't do the deal.

thanks,

Rob.


Being the owner of an Authentic Alpina....the 1st thing you should look for is the vin # there should always be 2 the original BMW which will be crossed out and the Alpina vin number on the dash or the mfg plate in the car.....or take the bmw vin number and call Synter uk to verify the vin
http://www.sytner.co.uk/:D

Diff cover didnt come on the C1's. Should still have a dash plaque that says C1-build number. Should have a tire sticker in the trunk, should have a riveted alpina plate in the engine bay. Check the rear mufflers, that is key if they are still there, close to impossible to find original ones. You can check the engine block where it meets the tranny tunnel near the firewall. There will be a flat spot on the block with C1 2.3 plus the vin number, that will verify the engine is correct for that car. Right driver was a converted car at the Alpina dealer in the UK, Garage Du Bac I think it is?
As far as rarity, I have seen way more B6 cars come up for sale in the last 6 months. It has been noted that Alpina produced thousands of the C1's as compared to the limited B6 cars, but I havent seen to many for sale. There was a very nice black C1 with green stripes that came up for sale on ebay about 6 months ago and they guy had a terrible time selling it for 4,000 pounds. The car was close to perfect, so I was a bit suprised it didnt sell quicker and for more. It was also a RHD car from the UK.

Are you sure it didn't come with the diff cover?

And I think that black one was fake.

Problem is Alpina or any of the secondary dealers, didnt keep track of the C1 cars. The plaque riveted into the engine bay, will have the last seven digits of the vin as well. If you contact Alpina on a C1 they will tell you they have no information on those cars.

Are you sure it didn't come with the diff cover?

And I think that black one was fake.


B6 cars came with the diff cover not as an option. C1's did not have the diff cover unless someone added it as an option.

Heres a shot of a C1

same car

What's special about the headlight wipers? There's a car local to me with wipers. Did those only come on certain cars?

What's special about the headlight wipers? There's a car local to me with wipers. Did those only come on certain cars?

Not on certain cars, just a rare european option on older BMW's. More common on E28's than other models. One of those "I'm super rich and can afford ultra rare crap and like to show it off" type things.

Thanks guys, I'll let you all know when I get back from viewing it again tomorrow, with pictures hoprfully.

And I thought they were a lot rarier than built in thousands, at least in the UK.

I doubt that the C1 had a production run in the "thousands".

I doubt that the C1 had a production run in the "thousands".

several thousands. To add to this, I have inquired with Alpina directly about it. There is only 28 documented Buchloe cars from Alpina. The other cars were partial or full conversions done to 323's at Synter, Oldenhoff, and Garage Du Bac. Alpina, said they never kept track of all the 323 conversions done at their other locations, and I have personally seen cars with plaques with numbers in the thousands.

I knew I had a picture somewhere. You can see this says 3- and then the production number. I believe the first number is the location and the second is the conversion number.

My comment was tied to Buchloe production.

There was a very nice black C1 with green stripes that came up for sale on ebay about 6 months ago and they guy had a terrible time selling it for 4,000 pounds. The car was close to perfect, so I was a bit suprised it didnt sell quicker and for more. It was also a RHD car from the UK.

That car has a nice layout in the Dec 06 issue of Total BMW. The owner says Alpina didn't offer green stripes, so they were custom made. Nice pictures of the car with a good article.

Hi

I have looked at 2 alpina c1's only 14 rhd built, email alpina with the vin for confirmation. They were converted in the UK by TWR who no longer exist.

Jaso

Alpina is really getting stingy giving out information on the older cars. It took me forever to get the build sheet on Brents B6 even after I proved ownership. They told me people are getting information cars, and selling non Alpina cars as Alpina's using their paperwork, and its become a big problem.

Well I went over and took another look today.

It turns out it's a 323i with Alpina alloy's, steering wheel and gearknob, no other alpina parts are present.

It's a one owner car, and was parked up in a garage in 1991 (don't know why), the owner then died about 3 years ago and the son has scrapped it.

The boot area is rough, but the inner wings and floorpans look solid, if anyone wants to save it, it's located in south Northumberland.

I can't post pictures yet, but I've got them on my flickr account.


flickr.com/photos/bobby-gg/sets/72157594377941198/

thanks for all your help guys,

Rob.

If they are scrapping it, I'll buy the C1 badges front and back, and the headlight wiper system

Is around hexham way then how can i have a look

Jason

Jason, it's around the Bedlington area.

Hi can you PM the detials

I commutte between edinbugh and newcastle so i might do a detour

Jason