The Alpina Journey

Every 02 is a journey… and a very personal journey.

The year 2002 (not the car) arrived, and with it, my renewed interest in acquiring another ‘02. That same year “The Alpina” (as this particular car is known in California because of its significant Alpina parts content) came up for sale. I had seen the car in the Macartney book. Discussions, rumors, opinions, gossip, etc were circulating on the internet, including test drives taken and inspection reports from potential buyers. The car was not in “show room” condition and really needed a paint job, which prevented most people from truly realizing the beauty of the car. The mechanicals were all there –I own a body shop…it needs a paint job…..perfect match…this could be an advertising tool for my business! I obtained permission, and bought the car sight unseen. The next day we flew 300 miles to pick it up. I asked my wife to retain her veto powers, and to honestly stop me if, after the test drive, she considered this car not to be “worthy”. Five minutes into the test drive she said: “turn around, I am flying back, you drive it home.”

And so it began, my personal journey with “The Alpina”…

Up to this point, I had as much fun fixing and modifying my 02s as I had driving them. The dilemma - aside from a paint job, the Alpina really didn’t need any repairs, major restoration or “upgrades.” Since tinkering was not in the cards, it was decided, from the beginning, to share it with anyone that would show any curiosity. In fact, in my six years of ownership, of the 6,000 miles added on the odometer, half were driven by other people. Sharing this car with other enthusiasts (aka 02 freaks) has given me more smiles that if I had simply kept it for my own consumption. It has been a vehicle (no pun intended) for meeting other people and driving each others’ 2002s. At the end of the drive, keys were returned, and another 02 friendship was made.

Most of the miles on the Alpina have been logged on what I call my personal Nurburgring. Locally, the road is officially known as Quien Sabe Road (Spanish for ‘who knows?’). A 13 mile loop of 2-lane country road, almost always completely empty, perfect for spirited driving. Driving the Alpina on Quien Sabe is a coveted “must do” for any of my out of town visitors!

The Alpina is recognized as an historical time capsule and a record of automobile achievement. Is the car the sum of its parts, or is it more?? I personally believe that despite the heavy use of Alpina and other rare parts, there are intangibles that add to the overall “feel” of this particular 02. Most of the modifications have been documented in the timeless 1991 European Car Magazine article, and other publications, and I am still in awe of its uniqueness.

The Alpina finally got a well deserved paint job last year and European flush markers-the only liberties I have taken with the car.

As much as I have tried to make it “my car,” I remain its steward (the fourth one). I am somewhat ambivalent as I embark on this last chapter of my Alpina journey- the ‘letting go.’ I’ve looked at all the research and re-read the documentation several times, just to remind myself of all the pleasure this car has given me. I’ve done a ‘photo shoot’ to prepare the Alpina website. I’ve polished every last piece of chrome with enthusiasm that is tinged with sadness as I know that one day soon I will be taking my last Quien Sabe drive in the Alpina….at least until we meet again!!

But wait- I still have my other dear friend, Bacchus (72 tii Malaga), who will console me on a nice drive on Quien Sabe Road…..

PS: The Alpina was sold in November 2009 and it now resides in Virginia.