It’s hard to beat German for certain words, especially when it comes to barking orders or naming machines. Neither BMW nor Alpina christened this 1988 Alpina B12 Der Sturzkampfflugzeug (The Dive Bomber) but it seems an apt description for this autobahn-bred weapon of destruction. This one resides not in the Black Forest, but Cherry Hill, New Jersey, across the Delaware from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Listed here on eBay, this unrestored 58,000 mile supersonic transport has attracted 30 bids pushing the price to nearly $8000.
Alpina has maintained “friendly cooperation” with BMW for over 50 years, building modified versions of already brilliant automobiles like the BMW 7-series that became this B12. Being from Pennsylvania we used to joke about how you could get into New Jersey from Philadelphia for free, but you had to pay to get out. This B12 would certainly answer the call to “Escape From New Jersey” with authority; assuming traffic cooperated.
This particular Alpina B12 features “every available option” according to the seller, and “everything works and operates as it should,” good news for the buyer, as maintaining a German V12 motorcar is not for the faint of heart or the light of wallet, and any Alpina-specific parts would further complicate said maintenance.
These days, you don’t need a five liter V12 to make 345 HP or 347 lb-ft torque, but when this car hit the market, Chevrolet’s IROC Camaro made 170 HP from a similar five liter displacement. Among new cars that year, few would embarrass this B12 in stock trim, and fewer would make a better choice for a relaxed stretch of three-digit cruising. What high bid do you anticipate for this rare and well-kept uber-BMW?
Beautiful car! I’m sure the maintenance costs would be outrageous, but I’d still love to have it.
This. This is what comes to mind when someone utters the phrase, “V-12 Motoring.”
If the wallet was able, it would already be on its way to me.
I’d rather have this than a W12 Phaeton, but there’s lots of other cars I’d rather have than this one.*
* If the winning bid is less than $10k, I take that back.
Being poor sucks. That needs to be at my house.
From where I live, if I drove around with this, I’m sure I’d get eyeballed buy every local cop, the only ppl who drive these tend to be drug dealers from Cleveland.
It’s funny when you drive by the Waffle House there always seems to be one of these cars that look very familiar to this. Wondering why.
What part of Cleveland are you from Mike?
Not being a huge BMW fan this car is the exception. Best body style of any 7-series, or any BMW for that matter. V-12 may be unnecessarily complex, but it’s an Alpina.
This car is gorgeous.
Did I mention it’s an Alpina?
It’s a replica using authentic parts, but it’s not a real B12 and is being mis-represented as such. Huge effect on value.
Also, this particular car sold in May for $5,119. Seller is making a tidy flip on this one! The engine in the original listing did not have the Alpina central engine cover and was listed with no mods. I really doubt the current seller installed the correct Alpina engine. So it’s likely a stock 300 hp M70B50 with an Alpina beauty cover.
http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/outstanding-e32-face-off-1988-bmw-735i-750il/
@Carter – Thank you for that information. It is a really big help.
@ccrvtt – Respectfully; the 507, the M1, the 633 CSI, to name a few, were ALL masterpieces of design. This one is just handsome, nothing more. However; although beauty is absolutely in the eye of the beholder, a Jaguar XK-E is inarguably better looking than a Pinto. That statement forms the basis for my (admittedly) subjective assertion.
Wow. Thanks @carter. I found the original auction where it says very clearly it’s a clone that was imported from Japan. Gotta say that stinks.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-BMW-7-Series-ALPINA-B12-CLONE-/182582437120
Just curious, what tells you it’s a replica?
@Buickfan – aside from that I wrote this car up when the previous listing disclosed it was not an original Alpina, the easiest way to tell is the VIN. Alpinas have their own VIN issued and start with WAP. This one carries a standard WBA BMW VIN.
e28’s are so much more stylish,
but then you have to have owned one to know one,
i down sized to an e 30 4 door,
big mistake
i love my e30 320i to bits,
but anyone who has driven both will what i mean
Gesundheit!
tri power – when you’re right you’re right.
@ccrvtt – Thank you, sir. Thumbs up.
Automatic…..why….WHY!!??
Love this body style …shame its a fake … and being mis-sold by a flipper
Ashbet
Best BMW design ever, the only model I’d consider owning, since I’m not a big fan of this brand.
So wouldn’t that be fraud to say it’s an Alpina when isn’t?
Glad no one sent $$$ to help buy it, after all…
Sold for $23,600, so someone got scammed.