No, the story with the Weber double carburetors did not start with the petition to the BMW board of directors in 1964, but probably much earlier as a test run with an unnamed Fiat, with Burkard (without 'h') Bovensiepen (* 1936), a trained mechanical engineer, but according to son Andreas he probably didn't get very far with it.

What could be more obvious than to look for a better, sportier base and that was presented in 1961 in the form of the BMW 1500. Perhaps he even got hold of such a car earlier than the usual buyer, because production started late, as is well known.

At first, Bovensiepen himself advertised his 10 additional hp for almost 1,000 DM, until he finally received approval from Sales Director Paul G. Hahnemann after checking his tuning kit in the form of a factory warranty that continued to exist on the cars.

Nevertheless, he still had to fight for recognition from BMW's own engineers for a long time. This then increasingly succeeded with the sporting successes of the company, which was officially founded in 1965. The name 'Alpina' was taken from his father's company for the production of office machines.

It was a good time for not too expensive tuning, especially when it gradually affected the engine and chassis. The reservoir of sometimes overly courageous drivers was so large that it was also possible to get back into racing with Formula V for cost reasons.

Alpina is also famous for the drivers who have piloted corresponding cars. We don't need to introduce Hans-Joachim Stuck and Niki Lauda, who joined us later, just as little perhaps Dieter Quester, a.o. four-time European Touring Car Champion.

Dr. Helmut Marko won e.g. the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1971 together with Gijs van Lennep in a Porsche 917. In addition to 5 years of experience in Formula 1, Harald Ertl became German racing champion in 1978. Gerold Pankl won the 24h on the Nürburgring twice in a row.

For Günther Huber, the greatest of his many racing successes was probably the victory at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Peter Peter was twice European vice champion in Formula V, Helmut Kellinghaus also made it into Formula 1.

Together with the other drivers Derek Bell, James Hunt, Jacky Ickx and Brian Muir, ALPINA won the European Touring Car Cup, the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and all German championships: circuit, mountain and rally championships.

The death of Hans-Peter Josten at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in 1973 had a particularly large influence on the company's development. Shortly before, he had won the 24h of the Nürburgring together with Niki Lauda. Towards the end of the year, Alpina gave up racing for the time being.

It ended a very successful racing and tuning period, always related to the BMW four-cylinder. The 2002 tii from Alpina is said to have been even more powerful with 190 hp than the factory turbo. The old colors, orange and mat black, were still emblazoned on the vehicles.

It continued with an unprecedented career, above all with the large coupe, which Alpina played a key role in designing, the path from tuner via refiner to recognized vehicle manufacturer and the increase in the workforce from 8 to 200 in 50 years.