Ricci's Garage: meet an ultra-rare, ultra-mint and quite gorgeous Alpina coupe

Renowned photographer Mark has been working with Top Gear for many, many years. When not taking photos, he’s buying inappropriate cars. Here he shares his addiction with the world

For the past year, Steve Richardson (of SR Autobodies) has undertaken the largest restoration project I’ve ever had in the form of my Skyline R34 GT-R. But with restorations, there are times when the workload slows. Luckily Steve has found another way to ensure his invoices keep coming my way.

“Mark, you like E24 BMWs, don’t you? Know anyone who might be interested in my dad’s Alpina B10 3.5 Coupe?” I don’t know Steve, who could possibly be interested in such a car? Could it be the customer you’re calling who already owns nine vehicles in various states of disrepair, who also has no self control when it comes to a deal on another interesting car? Let me ask them and find out...

Firstly, a little backstory. We all know – and love – Alpina BMWs, especially those classics. Since the mid 1970s, Alpina has fettled with the E24 6 Series platform, initially with the B2 which was shortly followed by the B8 633 CSi and the now infamous B7 Turbo. This particular car you see here is badged a B10 3.5, a car produced for just two years (as the successor to the B9 3.5 Coupe) and made in super limited numbers. Just 44 B10 3.5 Coupes were produced during that time, and of those 44 just eight of them were official UK cars in right-hand drive.

Now that makes this B10 3.5 Coupe a rare Alpina even by Alpina’s standards. But this one, because it’s naturally affiliated with Steve, has got an extra edge to it. Because this particular car was the original BMW Sytner/Alpina UK demonstrator car back in the 1980s, and it was first purchased by Steve’s dad a few years after its launch meaning it’s been in his family for well over three decades. From bringing his sister back from the hospital as a newborn to transporting the four of them on family holidays every year, it’s as much an heirloom to Steve and his family as it is a car.

And, to make it even more special, it’s been treated to a complete nut and bolt restoration over the past few years by Steve’s dad (as well as Steve’s input at times). And funnily enough, Steve’s dad is entirely as meticulous as he is, meaning every single component has either been refreshed, rebuilt or replaced with new/old stock along with having the car’s authenticity confirmed from Sytner all those years back. Since its refresh, it’s never been driven in the rain. The underside is cleaner than most people’s kitchens. And for some terrifying reason, it’s now mine to look after.

I’d love to give some profound reason for buying it, but the simple fact is that cars like this don’t come up for sale very often. Steve’s dad (understandably) wanted it to go to a decent home, but on the condition it would be used to create new memories with and not just sit in some collection gathering dust or being used for internet clout.

Those are the kinds of terms and conditions I can get on board with, but just in case that changes I have promised Steve he can buy it when the stress of owning something so nice drives me insane. Or, at the rate the GT-R work is spiralling, it’ll end up being some kind of part payment for him to get the rest of the Skyline finished.