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Month: March 2016

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1967 BMW-Glas 3000 V8 Fastback by Frua

There are always automotive “what ifs” that are really entertaining to consider. What if Audi had continued its Group B development mule which moved the turbocharged inline-5 to the middle of the car in order to better combat the likes of Lancia, Ford and Peugeot? Might the R8 have become a reality two generations earlier? What if Porsche had fully sussed out the Audi V8 in the back of the 964 instead of sticking with the flat-6? What if Mercedes-Benz hadn’t bought Chrysler and made a conscious decision to make their cars worse? These are but a few of interesting plot developments that could have spawned a Watchmen-esque alternate reality. The automotive landscape we look at could be entirely different. And to add one more potential to the plotline, what if BMW’s traditional design language was completely different? It’s pretty easy to spot the influences of the E9 and E10 in today’s car even though there have been massive changes. BMW even went to great lengths to try to convince consumers of today that there is lineage between the 2002 and the newly renamed 2-series. But what if BMW relied on Italian designer Pietro Frua to design their cars? Well, we would have gotten the 1971 Mustang a few years early, for one:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1967 BMW-Glas 3000 V8 Fastback by Frua

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Tuner Tuesday: 1982 Alpina B7 Turbo

It is with some eager anticipation I open my browser every week and search for the next interesting tuner car for today’s signature feature. Because of the explosion of the internet and the shrinking of the world coupled with trends in classic 1980s cars, the playing field has become littered with interesting period examples of cutting edge tuning technology. And for that it seems we have to thank Japan, since a majority of the classic AMG, Alpina and even Ruf cars are rolling back through Europe and into America from the land of the rising sun. Today’s star draft pick is one of the best players to emerge from the 1980s – the Alpina B7 Turbo. It was, for some time, the fastest sedan in the world, besting even BMW’s own Motorsport division entrants. With adjustable boost trimmed to 300 horsepower, only cars like Porsche’s 930 or some exotics could keep up. Today’s B7 – number 251 – has traveled around the world and back but is set to make the next leg of the journey:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1982 Alpina B7 Turbo on eBay

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1966 Glas 1700GT

Glas was one of those German automotive brands with limited reach that eventually got bought up by a larger company (BMW). But in the process, they were not only an innovator but created some attractive sports cars towards the end of their existence. The 1700GT was a larger engine derivative of the earlier 1300GT that debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963, packing the same four cylinder that appeared in the BMW 1600. These coupes bodies were designed by Frua, perfectly proportioned and appearing much larger than they actually were in person. Nowadays, these are a rather obscure classic but they have a bit of a cult following in Europe. This 1966 1700GT for sale in The Netherlands would be the final year this car would be badged as a Glas, as it would become the BMW 1600GT until its demise in 1968.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1966 Glas 1700GT on eBay

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Tuner Tuesday: 1991AC Schnitzer ACS3 Silhouette 3.0

It’s Tuner Tuesday and like clockwork we have another BMW 3-series to take a look at. However, today’s feature is very different than the normal Alpina, Dinan or Hartge models that grace these pages. It’s very interesting that today’s build company isn’t more linked with the road going cars from Munich because since the 1970s AC Schnitzer was the go-to race development team for BMW. And since BMW likes to link its race-bred technology with prowess on the road, Schnitzer models for the general public would theoretically be a natural step. However, they’ve never proven as successful as the aforementioned alternatives and are fairly infrequently seen. Today’s example is somewhat of a treat to run across; a first-year E36 chassis converted to ACS3 Silhouette 3.0 specifications. That yielded 240 horsepower and a tightened up, lowered suspension along with some great wheels and aero bits that make this 3 look pretty special:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 AC Schnitzer ACS3 Silhouette 3.0 on eBay

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Feature Listing: Lapis Blue 2003 Porsche 911 GT2

If last week’s GT2 RS took insanity beyond what you consider reasonable, then the 996 GT2 may reign in the craziness just enough to be sensible. It also comes with a far lower price tag. Like all things 996 the performance per dollar quotient of these machines is spectacular and matched by few other cars, even when looking at one of the highest priced models in the line. With 456 hp directed only to the rear wheels and around 200 fewer pounds to move around the GT2 returns a level of ferocity and purity to the Turbo’s driving experience that had been gradually softened over the model’s life. Though it was no longer necessary for Porsche to produce such a car in order to meet homologation requirements, they still followed a track-focused mantra for GT2 production that forces the driver to remain attuned to every aspect of the car’s current state. It’s as if the rawness of the original 930 had returned, but with a lot more power! We don’t see many GT2s come up for sale so they always attract our notice when they do. This particular example is especially rare: a Lapis Blue 2003 Porsche 911 GT2 with Black leather interior and 48,812 miles on it. The seller has said this is the only example he’s seen in this color, and my experience is the same. There are plenty of Black, Silver, and Guards Red examples. There even seem to be a good deal in Speed Yellow. This is this only one I’ve seen in Blue.

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