Spotlight
A black 320i from the first 3 Series generation, built in the look of the Buchloe six-cylinders — and photographed where the truth about a fifty-year-old car is decided: on the lift. This E21 from the MOTORSPORT24 brokerage shows what honest handling of an “Alpina Style” build looks like.
The car
The basis is a BMW 320i E21 — the early fuel-injected version with K-Jetronic: first registered in June 1976, delivered new in Germany, original colour BMW Schwarz, 1,977 cm³ and 125 PS. The odometer shows 183,220 kilometres, and the concept is clear: not a showcase piece, but a driver’s car for regular use. [1]
Alpina Style — honestly named
The look references the great originals: OZ King wheels in 7×15 ET12 with 195/55 R15 at the front and 8×15 ET12 with 205/50 R15 at the rear, plus the Alpina front spoiler — complete with part-number plaque, as also used to identify genuine Buchloe parts. It is exactly this openness that distinguishes a clean “Style” build from a quiet risk of confusion: what a genuine Alpina B6 2.8 is, and how to recognise one, is set out on our model page — you’ll know the honesty principle from our B6 rebuild. [1]
The lift check
From below, the car makes the impression one hopes for with an E21: the body appears unwelded, the underseal fresh. In October 2021 — at a mileage of 182,525 — the car, according to the vehicle documentation, underwent an extensive technical overhaul: engine rebuilt, suspension renewed, brake discs and pads new, with internally vented discs at the front. The last service book entry is dated 27 July 2021. [1]
Why we’re showing this
With the E21, the underbody decides the purchase: axle mounts, rear sections, panels, lines. There are plenty of brochure photos — a complete underbody documentation like this is the exception, and that is exactly why it’s here. Once you’ve internalised this perspective, you look down first at every viewing.
Gallery: the complete view from below
[1] Vehicle data and history: motorsport24.de — BMW 320i E21 Alpina Style (vehicle brokered and sold). Photos: MOTORSPORT24.