By definition, what we do here at Speedhunters is hunt. We’re always on the lookout for something unique that stops us in our tracks, and the stories that come from true on-the-spot finds when we are out in the field are always my favourites.
When I headed to Studie the other week to have the suspension, wheels and tyres fitted to Project Drop Top, I arrived at the shop just as it was opening up for the day. As I parked my car the Studie staff were moving customer and demo cars outside, and that’s when I saw it…
Actually, I heard it first – a barely-silenced, raspy cold-start idle which didn’t sound anything remotely similar to the polished, burbly and dare I say artificially-engineered sounds of modern day BMWs that I had heard moments earlier. No, this was something special, and once I laid eyes on the little angular E30 as it slowly came out of the garage my jaw just dropped.
I remember uttering the word ‘wow’, surprised that Studie would still be dealing in such old metal. But among all the amazement I spotted something that I immediately recognised.
My eyes went down to the corner of the bumpers…
And up again to the windscreen banner… All of a sudden it made a bit more sense. As Bob Suzuki, the man who setup Studie in Japan, once told me, his company often collaborates with Auto Garage TBK – one of the most revered body shops in the Kanto region.
When the owner of this E30 showed up at TBK, his list of requests were unlike anything they had ever seen before. The idea was to take the stock car and transform it into a true street racer – something that Auto Garage TBK knows a little bit about having previously worked with Promodet to create some of Japan’s most legendary Porsches. Does Black Bird and Wangan Midnight ring any bells?
The car stayed with TBK for the better part of two years, and over the course of that time it was stripped down to a bare shell and slowly built up with additions like a custom multi-point rollcage gusseted to the pillars, boxed-out and stiffened stress points around the chassis, and beefed-up suspension pick-ups. We’ll get to all those details shortly, but for now let’s concentrate on the looks, which are unique to say the least – especially with that signature TBK front featuring HID projectors nestled away in the lower corners of the bumper.
An Unexpected Base
The looks alone make this car stand out from other E30s that we’ve come across, but that’s not what makes this car special. It’s the fact that the base car is not actually a BMW, but rather an Alpina. The Alpina C2 featured a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter straight six engine and was a rarer and slightly more powerful alternative to the E30 M3. Coupled with a well-appointed and comfortable interior and typical Alpina touches, it made for a slightly different take on the performance coupe. Pretty cool, right?
Like you’ll see, many of the details around the car are far more impressive than what they might first seem. The Watanabes, for example, aren’t from a catalogue – they’re actually special order, extremely lightweight forged magnesium versions of the Type F8 base wheel. Impressed yet? By this point I definitely was!
Both the front and rears sit inside meticulously widened fenders that TBK made sure would accommodate the custom offsets of the wheels. The 17-inch rims measure 8-inch wide at the front and 9-inch wide at the rear, and are shod in Advan Neova AD08R rubber – 215/45s and 235/45s respectively. When it comes to stance, this car has perfected the art.
I’ve always been a big fan of the contoured aero mirrors that came out of the ’80s, and even if no one knows where these particular units originated from, they tie in perfectly with the Alpina’s profile.
The more I looked at the car, the more impressed I became. I personally think that the 3.0 CSL Group 2 inspired racing stripes are a little too much, but it’s not hard to look beyond them and realise how special this one-off project is.
The custom touches continue inside. The moment you open the reassuringly-heavy driver’s side door, you immediately notice the Alcantara-trimmed door card, sans the original handle and storage pocket. A simple Carrera RS style door pull does the job nicely.
A ton of work went into stiffening up the cabin, and the rear seats were removed to open up space for the gusseted cage. Because you always need to address safety and rigidity, right? The crazy thing is, despite this particular modification, the car’s primary use is a street car – a fun toy that the owner can use to attack challenging mountain roads on a quiet day off, or just to enjoy on the weekend driving to and from gatherings. It might seem a little over the top, but not if you expect and demand the best. That’s what dreams are made of after all.
Stripped of the trademark Alpina wood trim and replaced with bespoke black paneling, the dashboard is beautifully simple. The centre console retains the ventilation controls and above them sits a modern 1-DIN navigation system with a pop-out LCD screen. It’s a street car remember! The suede-wrapped Momo steering wheel is the only place around the car that you’ll find an Alpina emblem.
The stock analogue instrumentation has been completely removed, and seeing the engine is managed by a MoTeC M800 ECU it made sense to build on the road-racer ethos with an ADL3 digital dash logger. The display is fixed to a carbon fiber panel which also has a few warning lights around it, as well as Studie’s recognisable logo. Simple toggle switches control the small and main headlights, with the third on the right igniting the HIDs in the bumper. As you can see on the top left picture, the Momo steering wheel is mounted on a flip-up boss to allow more space when swinging your legs over the diagonal cross bar.
Carbon-Kevlar Recaro race buckets and Willans harnesses make up the seating arrangements.
I really like how the A-pillar and door entrance rollcage bars have been subtly highlighted with the same BMW racing stripes used on the exterior.
Swing around the back and you quickly realise that the subtle changes don’t stop at the cabin. The carbon fiber boot lid is not super light being double-skinned, but it’s definitely a nice detail. To shave weight, or probably to create a little conversation starter, the hinges that hold up the lid have been drilled out.
The Alpina C2 2.7 was fitted with a bigger fuel tank than BMW’s E30 as it was geared towards longer cross-continent drives. But it’s what the tank is attached to that’s more impressive. Specifically, curved bars that extend from the rear suspension turrets to the ladder frame welded within the reinforced floor.
A Straight Six That Wants To Sing
Let’s move up front now…
Lift the double-hinged hood and you almost expect to see carbon fiber weave. Yep, that box has been ticked too. The meticulously sculpted dry-carbon piece was constructed with thick fibers and is supported with a secondary skin to add extra rigidity.
Compared to an E30 M3, the Alpina came with two extra cylinders and with it a glorious and unmistakable straight-six sound.
During the build the engine was freshened up and fitted out with slightly bigger forged pistons that bump capacity closer to 2.8 liters.
There are nice additions like a crackle blue finish on the cam cover and a custom intake plenum that draws from a carbon fiber air box.
Along with the MoTeC engine management, the straight six has been fitted with a modern (and seriously powerful) ignition system from Okada Project.
The engine bay is further spiced up with custom-made brushed aluminium tanks; the round one an overflow for the race radiator and the rectangular one serving as the oil catch can.
The Alpina chassis plate that certifies the car as a C2 2.7 has of course been kept intact.
To give the car the handling sharpness it lacked out of the box, the Alpina now runs a full E30 M3 suspension layout along with adjustable 3D dampers and ARC sway bars. Just like at the rear, the front suspension strut towers have been seriously stiffened up. AP Racing 4-pot callipers and slotted rotors feature below.
You can never have lights that are too bright when you’re out doing some serious driving at night, and for that reason TBK driving lamps are joined by upgraded main headlight units. The main beams run Xenon bulbs and modern day projectors, and the high beams use HID lamps.
The baffled-off section on the side of the engine hides a custom stainless steel header that connect up to an Arqray exhaust system.
It’s pretty much a straight-through affair with a couple of small silencers, the tails sticking out at the very center of the rear bumper.
A subtle trunk spoiler completes the gently-massaged stock lines that make this one of the most unique and impressive E30-based projects I have ever come across.
Indeed, it’s the cars that we find by pure chance that often make the biggest impressions. This is why I love being a hunter of speed and sharing these glorious findings that I come across in Japan. I can’t wait for my next accidental hunt!
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Thank god it still has an m20, I would've cried if it were to have some stupid uniriginal swap.
Really Lovely !
Everything on this car is perfect.
Amazing and neat build. Not taken by the 'trending' rims but then it's not my BM... unfortunately.
Looks awesome on the customs wheels.
Love it! The booty shot was my favourite. Great write up Dino!
... this is that weird moment where.......... you want to approve.......... you love E30's.............but this one is an Alpina.....and I feel like this could've been a modded 325i and just as great! But it's an Alpina......... and it's ............ dare I say.......... ruined?
trust - this response has come with great trepidation!!!!!
mod well, mod long......... but don't over mod rare
maybe that's not a rule, but the fence around the car show of my mind - LOL
@Petey Pablo *un-original
Every single aspect considered, how a proper build is done. The 2.8 must sound amazing. However, I'm not so sure about full cages on street cars. I wouldn't want my unhelmeted head flying around during a rollover. Still a fan though.
Absolutely sublime. I would take this over an E30 M3 any day of the week. everything is perfectly appointed for aggressive street use and blistering B-road runs. And the use of an inline 6, BMW's trademark motor, especially one as rare as this, is an outstanding choice. I agree that the livery is a bit much, but its tastefully done and certainly has historical significance.
I'm so glad you stumbled across this.
My face... has melted.
This car is incredible!
This thing is simply incredible.
I have mixed feelings about this car (with exception to the wheels...Watanabes rock).
Certainly, the E30 chassis was made during what was arguably BMW's golden age.
After that they've seemed to sully their products by releasing them as premature babies...in regards to engineering.
It's like they're trying to do what American manufacturers did in the 50's and 60's and release heavily "trendy" cars for quick profits. The major difference is that---it's impossible to do now since cars are so much more complicated.
As a result, there are many under-developed cars on the road.
Every single BMW product owner I know (Minis included) has some sort of significant issue(s) with their cars...oftentimes re-occurring.
I hate when you guys post "Specs" One thing you defo need to improve. Not much else tho
Unbelievable. Spectacular car!
Now that's a thing of beauty, bumper to bumper.
Very nice feature Dino. Complimented the car well!
Oh, oh my...
The stripes are a bit OTT, maybe just one through the side of the car would do. Other than that, absolutely awesome.
But THESE ARE THE CARS WE NEED VIDEOS FOR!!!!!!!
I can imagine the sound out of this thing, but actually hearing it will be MUCH better.
Amazing car.
I have owned and been an enthusiast of e30's for about 12 years, so have seen a lot of them. This is one of the most impressive I have ever seen. Never thought anybody could come up with a new body look for an e30 that works at this stage. The fit and finish of the body is a beyond new standards in particular the way the bumpers meet the body in a modern scalpel edge sort of way.
I agree about the stripes, they are overpowering and distract constantly from all the things that you want to focus on.
Is the front bumper a heavily modified Porsche item from Promodet?
I too would love to hear the 12v m20 in action
We need a video of this beast, i just want to hear the sound that straight 6 makes
MatsNorway You would rather not see specs? Or they need improving? Please share
MatsNorway You would rather not see specs? Or they need improving? Please share
Who ever built this amazing looking machine two thumbs up and keep up the great work !!!
Holy crap... this car is unbelievable. What an amazing find Dino.
Would it be possible to do a feature of Auto Garage TBK? I've been searching all over the internet for these guys and after featuring the Promodet Porsche and this BMW you've teased me too much.
Pretty Please.
Holy crap... this car is unbelievable. What an amazing find Dino.
Would it be possible to do a feature of Auto Garage TBK? I've been searching all over the internet for these guys and after featuring the Promodet Porsche and this BMW you've teased me too much.
Pretty Please.
@Petey Pablo What, like a 2JZ? lol
@Petey Pablo What, like a 2JZ? lol
Putslicksonit Trending? Not a word I'd use to describe Watanabes. Classics more like?
matthewyaa Thanks!
MPistol Hey, everyone is entitled to his/her opinion!
@MaxwellSmart Yes, very glad I did too! One of the best builds I've ever seen in Japan
speedhunters_dino MPistol Not that I have any sense of loyalty towards purism but I do also feel like the elements that made the Alpina what it is are gone, with the exeption of the engine....
Who knows the full story behind this car, but there is a bit of me that feels like this could have been the greatest 325i rather than a a very very cool Alpina... of course the difference is all semantics! haha
Great feature Dino, really appreciated the details in this one!
@MaxwellSmart Have you owned an E30 M3? I have, and I would have a super hard time saying that I would want to own this over that car. I stupidly sold my E30 M3 about 12 years ago, and I have regret it ever since. This car is well sorted, beautifully modified, and its an Alpina, but its not an M3
Dat front bumper doh!
Brad Johnson Thank you!
Chris 'Haffy' Hafner Yeah this one definitely needed it, too bad we weren't able to drive it, as the owner wasn't there
skunkworkssr71 It's a TBK item
Jimbowe Could only move it around the shop front unfortunately as the owner was not present.
Nico Leone TBK, must visit them!!
sonic2896 Oh I will, don't worry
Beautiful! inspiring some actions i need to take on my e30!
I wanna see the latest (I think..?) Studie AG machine M235i Racing pretty please......!!!!!!!!!!
...All of the wants...each and every single wants...
why do this to an Alpina :
Even an idle and a rev will do.
Even an idle and a rev will do.
Even an idle and a rev will do.
@Kart Works You mean the wide body one?
bearclaw_18 What did you like?
speedhunters_dino Yes sir....!!!!
I don't really see why you should use a very rare Alpina as a base for a car that goes so much against everything Alpina stands for and distincts the models of the firm from BMWs: the subtle stripes changed for garish ones, the famous Alpina wheels changed for Watanabed (which are beatutiful in their own right but doesn't suit the E30 in my opinion) and the focus on comfort changed for a more hardcore approach. I get the project on its own but why use an Alpina as a base? Merely to offend the purists?
Definitely need to do a feature of TBK some day:)
I'd love to hear that engine..
I'd love to hear that engine..
Just to be sure I have this clear....This is a full feature of a 3 series with nothing more than a bodykit and a fancy paint job? Nothing else to make it an actual performance car; no beefed up driveline, no interesting solutions to suspension geometry issues, just a cool name, lot of expensive carbon fibre, a bodykit and a fancy paint job? Maybe it's just that I've never been a subscriber to the E30 cult, but I don't see anything to make this car interesting besides that it's a recently washed Alpina with a fancy paint job. What's it used for? Is it a product showcase car or does it actually get pointed down a road in something resembling anger? I'd walk right past this thing at a car show, as for the widebody turbocharged V8 swapped ex-DTM time attacker from last month, THAT was unique and impressive.
Just to be sure I have this clear....This is a full feature of a 3 series with nothing more than a bodykit and a fancy paint job? Nothing else to make it an actual performance car; no beefed up driveline, no interesting solutions to suspension geometry issues, just a cool name, lot of expensive carbon fibre, a bodykit and a fancy paint job? Maybe it's just that I've never been a subscriber to the E30 cult, but I don't see anything to make this car interesting besides that it's a recently washed Alpina with a fancy paint job. What's it used for? Is it a product showcase car or does it actually get pointed down a road in something resembling anger? I'd walk right past this thing at a car show, as for the widebody turbocharged V8 swapped ex-DTM time attacker from last month, THAT was unique and impressive.
Trentworth What's it used for?
"The crazy thing is, despite this particular modification, the car’s primary use is a street car – a fun toy that the owner can use to attack challenging mountain roads on a quiet day off, or just to enjoy on the weekend driving to and from gatherings."
Read the article before asking dumb questions.
Better than the 3.0 CSL Homage R...I would take it as the Vision Gran Turismo's granddad.
Better than the 3.0 CSL Homage R...I would take it as the Vision Gran Turismo's granddad.
Trentworth are you serious????? Strengthened chassis, proper roll cage (which for a Japanese build is surprising) , custom interior, forged mag wheels, big brakes, suspension, exhaust, engine mods, intake, widened guards, carbon panels. Yeah "nothing more than a bodykit and a Fancy paint job"
Yeah cause 2jz's are really bad engines ! Who would want that in the car ? A vvti swap, with Ac would be original thought.
TylerHorne I read the article before asking my dumb question and that included the exact same quote you are pointing out. Thing is this is a high dollar shop build, a shop that build very expensive high-end vehicles as well, the owner in a situation like that probably doesn't get to take it out much and when he does it's "on the weekend driving to and from gatherings" to showcase their work. However I don't think it gets used as much as the article would let us believe, one thing I kno for absolute certain is that cars driven on the road pick up road rash, rock chips on the bumper,dust that somehow magically becomes embedded in the paint and scratches or, at worst, the fiberglass or carbon parts of the car have been eaten at by high speed detritus, an effect similar to what you would see during sandblasting(this is especially prevalent on carbon fibre parts, yet look at that front splitter). Unless Dino chose to hide some stuff from us, this car exhibits none of the fast car damage most fast weekend cars pick up on the road.
2bAUS I'm not taking anything away from the builders of the car, the level of work they put in is astonishing but once (I myself at least) came to the conclusion that it's a show car, I kinda lost some of my appreciation for some of those points and was left staring at a bodykit and fancy paintjob. Part of this has to do with my disdain for show cars.
Speedhunters MatsNorway More specs! compression ratio. Cam info. injectors, HP, Torque (Nm heh.. ) and at what rpm. Engine dyno grafs if available. all of it. all. of. it.
Keep up the good work.
Trentworth You don't have to upgrade the crap out of a car to make it spotlight worthy... It's got a story! Not to mention the weight reduction and the fact that he thrashes this thing up mountains... This car is about function AND form.
speedhunters_dino I love the coverage you're providing for us from the other side of the planet. Thanks for the keeping the stories and features coming!
@Sil14 I have not. I do own an E36 M3 and, for me personally, there is no sound that signifies the roundel for me more than a healthy straight-6. I would love the opportunity to wheel an E30 M3 around, as I've heard nothing but good things This feature car is just so refreshingly different and well executed. That's why I'd take it!
Great looking body and great find. Would love to find more information on his custom ITB's and why they felt the need to use the Okada ignition. Other than it looks cool.
speedhunters_dino bearclaw_18 clean and tasteful exterior mods. rs watanabes on a german car. and the interior is a perfect balance of light and simple but still nice on the eyes. Looks like a perfect balance for street/track use. as well as everything under the hood! all around wonderful car
@Kart Works speedhunters_dino Oh I'll be shooting it when they are done with it. And that wild M4 of theirs
@Mr I think it's probably down to the Japanese spirit of doing what ever they care with their own cars. There is a passion for doing something unique, the rare the better and basing a project like this on a C2 is as rare as you get
davidh979 It's happening
JericChua I only have a crappy video of it moving around. It wasn't worth posting as the rain was louder lol
TylerHorne Trentworth hahaha
2bAUS Trentworth speedhunters_dino Thanks! Trentworth seriously, did you read anything I wrote?
Trentworth TylerHorne 2bAUS It's just been finished, that's why it looks clean. I bet the owner will absolutely rape this thing on the road, the Japanese don't screw around with their cars, they are far from posters. Head to Hakone & Izu on a Sat morning to see what I mean
Jbrady43 Trentworth A slightly massaged engine coupled to sorted suspension and a chassis which is probably 200% more rigid than a stock E30? Sounds like this would be phenomenal to drive. I don't everyone out there needs 500 HP/tonne...
Wow, I always thought Wats on an E30 would be so legit. Great feature.
Wow, I always thought Wats on an E30 would be so legit. Great feature.
Wow, I always thought Wats on an E30 would be so legit. Great feature.
speedhunters_dino Putslicksonit Not really a classic wheel for BMWs, maybe some old BBS would fit the theme of the car better, or old AC Schnitzers.
speedhunters_dino Putslicksonit Not really a classic wheel for BMWs, maybe some old BBS would fit the theme of the car better, or old AC Schnitzers.
speedhunters_dino Jbrady43 Trentworth The cool thing isn't just that the owner beefed up the chassis and suspension. You forget that this car was re-engineered by Alpina to have 2 more cylinders. The car actually had the crap upgraded out of it, by both the owner and a second car company!
speedhunters_dino 2bAUS Alright, I'll accede. You guys are right; in the six occasions I came back to post or read your comments I didn't read the article and thus I'm wrong about this car. Like I said earlier I'm not taking anything away from the builders of the car, the level of work they put in is astonishing. I'm just in doubt about its actual use. It's show-car build quality no question, expensive and well thought out parts list that reads like the 'EuroTuner Magazine Guide to Modifying a BMW', a really good body kit that from now on I believe every E30 should wear and a really fancy paintjob even if (like you said, Dino) it's a little OTT.
Not a huge euro fan but dam, this is a game changer,moods unreal.
Nice car, a different take on e30, call me old fashioned but I still love classic bbs wheels and mtech2 bodykit on e30s. Also love the sound of the inline 6 so I would definately leave it n/a. Owned an e30 with headers no cat with cat back stromung exhaust that thing was loud but sounded good
Nice car, a different take on e30, call me old fashioned but I still love classic bbs wheels and mtech2 bodykit on e30s. Also love the sound of the inline 6 so I would definately leave it n/a. Owned an e30 with headers no cat with cat back stromung exhaust that thing was loud but sounded good
Any day with a stroked M20 is a good day.
Any day with a stroked M20 is a good day.
The trunk hinges are stock, BMW does the weight saving for you
nice Race Car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuEDFnD9QxA
Trentworth The part that everyone is taking exception to is that you are harping on about it being "just a paintjob and bodykit" and ignoring the cage, coilovers, brake upgrade, ITBs on a stroker engine, MoTeC engine management, etc etc etc. Just because it isn't a 700HP turbo car on slicks with giant fender flares doesn't mean it isn't a fast car, or that it wouldn't be phenomenal to drive.
I normally don't like flamboyant paintwork on a street car, but I think this car pulls it off, and I think the wheel choice and the front bumper help. Not too subtle that you miss it, but not so shouty that it puts you off. Right in the middle, the "sweet spot" if you will. And it bears repeating, I really like those wheels and fitment on this car!
It shouldn't surprise me that TBK does Porsches as well, that front bumper says "935" all over it! Took me a second to figure it out. It looked good from the get-go, but a few pics into I had the "aha" moment
the car was very good
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