Photo: ClassicDriver.com
Back when the E30 3 Series was still being built, BMW South Africa decided to create a special model that would allow them to compete in saloon car racing in the African country. That’s how the Alpina 333i came to life.
Developed in collaboration with the German tuner, the car was going up against the likes of Ford’s Sierra XR8 and Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0. Therefore, some serious upgrades were necessary just to keep up.
The M30B32 3.3-liter engine used was coming straight off a 733i 7 Series and Alpina contributed with a variety of parts like the gearbox, rear axle and brakes. The same engine was used on the E24 633i 6 Series, with different results, of course.
With 197 HP and 284 Nm (209 lb-ft) of torque, the lightweight E30 was actually a pretty fast car. Unfortunately, only 204 units of it were ever made, between 1985 and 1987, many of them entering motorsport competitions in South Africa. Only one of them was officially exported to the UK.
Now, one such beauty is up for sale on ClassicDriver.com. This one has 13,800 km (8,575 miles) on the odometer and looks absolutely perfect. It has electric windows, a sunroof and even ABS on and it’s right-hand-drive. It could be the one that was officially imported in the UK but the ad doesn’t specify this matter.
Dressed in Henna Red, one of the only 4 colors in which the 333i was available (Charcoal Black, Ice White and Aero Silver) it’s looking rather mint.
According to the ad, it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity issued by BMW South Africa that confirms the 1985 production and delivery data. Unfortunately, the price tag might be a bit restrictive for most enthusiasts. The seller wants $92,664 for it, a price that might go up as the years pass though, as it is a collectable already.
The M30B32 3.3-liter engine used was coming straight off a 733i 7 Series and Alpina contributed with a variety of parts like the gearbox, rear axle and brakes. The same engine was used on the E24 633i 6 Series, with different results, of course.
With 197 HP and 284 Nm (209 lb-ft) of torque, the lightweight E30 was actually a pretty fast car. Unfortunately, only 204 units of it were ever made, between 1985 and 1987, many of them entering motorsport competitions in South Africa. Only one of them was officially exported to the UK.
Now, one such beauty is up for sale on ClassicDriver.com. This one has 13,800 km (8,575 miles) on the odometer and looks absolutely perfect. It has electric windows, a sunroof and even ABS on and it’s right-hand-drive. It could be the one that was officially imported in the UK but the ad doesn’t specify this matter.
Dressed in Henna Red, one of the only 4 colors in which the 333i was available (Charcoal Black, Ice White and Aero Silver) it’s looking rather mint.
According to the ad, it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity issued by BMW South Africa that confirms the 1985 production and delivery data. Unfortunately, the price tag might be a bit restrictive for most enthusiasts. The seller wants $92,664 for it, a price that might go up as the years pass though, as it is a collectable already.
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