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    The BMW CCA will offer its members the unique opportunity of hearing from ALPINA CEO, Andreas “Andy” Bovensiepen, as he tells some tales from ALPINA’s rich history of racing and unique production vehicles. Don’t miss the chance of spending some time with Andy at Oktoberfest 2013 in Monterey CA.
     
    Little did Burkard Bovensiepen know where his garage-developed twin carburetor kit would lead over the course of the next five decades. The twin velocity stacks of the kit are proudly displayed (along with a 4-cylinder crankshaft) in the ALPINA logo that graces ALPINA production and racing vehicles, always denoting the starting point of the company’s amazing history.
     
    Back in the 1960s, BMW executives were so impressed with the senior Bovensiepen’s work that they agreed to maintain BMW warranty coverage on all vehicles modified by ALPINA, starting a business relationship that has borne many remarkable road and racing cars. The partnership with ALPINA has helped BMW AG attain some of its most successful racing milestones. ALPINA’s success in the European Touring Car Championship led to the development of the BMW 3.0 CSL, a car BMW tasked ALPINA to develop for racing.
     
    ALPINA’s parts and enhancement business also earned the respect of the German automotive press and, of course, consumers. The company developed a reputation as a “giant killer” when the humble ALPINA 2002 beat the Lamborghini Miura’s lap time by one second in the Italian Vallelunga circuit, and when the ALPINA 3.0 CSL accelerated quicker than the much more expensive Aston Martins or Ferraris of the era. 
     
    In 1978 ALPINA became a giant killer of other sorts when it started to develop complete automobiles using an in-house developed electronic ignition system. By 1983, the German government officially recognized ALPINA as an automotive manufacturer. 
     
    ALPINA survived the oil crisis and evolved to develop fast, fuel efficient cars. ALPINA was a pioneer in the field of metallic catalytic converters and catalytic converter pre-heating. ALPINA’s commitment to efficiency was again confirmed when it started developing high-performance versions of BMW diesel sedans.
     
    ALPINA currently offers versions of the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series and 7 Series and an all-new high-performance X3 SAV with diesel power. Beyond its silent development roles in the high-performance BMW X5 4.6is and X5 4.8is, ALPINA’s whole-car presence in the US market started with the ALPINA V8 Roadster, based on BMW’s now-legendary E52 Z8. Later, the 2007 BMW 7 Series-based BMW ALPINA B7 led the way to the current ALPINA B7, based on the F01 7 Series and offered from 2010. 
     
    Andreas “Andy” Bovensiepen, Burkard’s son, has had a successful racing career with victories in the German Touring Car Championship, the Nürburgring 24h and the Spa-Francorchamps 24h. No stranger to the Karussell or Eau Rouge, Andy now leads the family business which, besides ALPINA Automobiles, also operates one of Germany’s leading wine distribution and importing companies.
     
    More information about ALPINA is available here: