History

The BMW 1600GT we know today started life as a very different machine. Initially released in March 1964, the German coupe was originally produced by Hans Glas GmbH as the Glas GT, both as a coupe and the much rarer cabriolet version. Despite its German DNA, the body was designed by Italian coach builder Frua before being built by fellow Italian coach builder Maggiora. Hans Glas then took care of the rest of the assembly at the factory in Dingolfing, Germany.

When BMW purchased Glas in 1966, it refitted the GT to accommodate the automaker’s 1,573 cc engine used in the “New Class” BMW 1600 and rebranded the car as the BMW 1600GT. BMW kept the engine slanted at a 30-degree angle, a feature common in its New Class lineup, and installed its sophisticated semi-trailing-arm rear axle with coil springs for improved handling. BMW also installed the round rear lights found on the 1966 BMW 1600-2, as well as its signature “twin kidney” grill. In doing so, performance was also enhanced from the Glas GT’s original ~100 horsepower to just over 103 horsepower. Between June 1967 and August 1968, BMW produced 1,259 1600GTs.

This Car

This particular 1967 BMW 1600GT, Chassis #W001366 is reported to have been originally owned by a German diplomat working at the UN in NYC. He imported the car into the U.S. in the late sixties, before an accident to the right side of the car rendered it unusable. When the diplomat was transferred to Africa for his next assignment, he left the car in his landlord’s garage in lieu of final rent. The landlord later sold the car to a friend, a body shop owner, who fixed the accident damage and repainted it. It changed hands yet again when the body shop owner sold it to his friend, Mr. Alfonso Quijano, the owner of a Long Island trucking company. He used the car sparingly from 1990 to 2006, fearing he would never be able to get parts if anything happened to the car again.

While there are no official records of the car’s activities prior to 1990, it is assumed to have been stored after the repairs were completed. Mr. Quijano sold the car to a Toronto-based collector so he could give the cash proceeds to his son as a wedding gift. The car then passed to a Dr. Chris Auty, who acquired the BMW in 2014 with just over 29,000 km (~18,019 mi) on the odometer, a reading confirmed by Mr. Quijano, though no records exist to support this. We believe this example to have had 6 owners in total. The current owner, an avid collector and active BMW Club member, acquired this 1600GT from Dr. Auty’s estate in April 2022. 

The period that warrants the most attention to help understand this car is the time of Dr. Auty’s purchase and subsequent restoration. At the time of purchase the car retained its original interior in good condition, with no visible rust, excellent original glass, trim, bumpers, and electrical system. It even wore four tires with a 1969 date code. The only deviation from factory spec was the replacement of the original Solex side-draft carburetors with a single Weber 34/38 downdraft carburetor. It was original overall and in mostly stock configuration, but ready for a refresh. Though one thing would lead to the other and in the end this car would see an open checkbook approach to building a spectacular and unique 1600GT. 

The BMW was shipped to Mario Langsten’s shop, VSR1, in Bow, NH, for a much-needed refresh that totaled over $40,000 for the initial phase of work completed. The fluids were changed, the brakes were reworked, the radiator was repaired, bushings were changed, and the body received work as needed to improve it but did not warrant a full strip and repaint. Rather some items were touched up and the car refinished as needed for consistency. Despite its originality, performance was lacking, especially at low RPMs. According to Dr. Auty, highway cruising at 70 mph meant a constant 4,000 RPM; the seats offered no headrests and little lateral support; the lack of cupholders was a problem; and the period-correct radio was another annoyance. 

Following those first few drives, the BMW was treated to several improvements to enhance its drivability while not detracting from its period-correctness. Thus a proper build was planned which started with a newly rebuilt 2.2L M10 engine, installed alongside a pair of rebuilt Italian Weber side-draft carburetors in place of the single Weber 34/38 carburetor, and the proper air intake canister with bridges and bellows. The transmission was swapped for a 245/5 5-speed O/D, the stock 264 cam was replaced with a spicier Schrick 292 cam, and a JB Racing lightweight flywheel was also installed. On the interior, the front seats were replaced with period-correct Monte Carlo bucket seats from GTS Classics, the dried-out carpets were swapped for better ones, the large factory steering wheel was replaced with a more motorsports-oriented 370 Momo Prototipo, a factory cup holder was modified to fit into the short center console, and in lieu of using the radio a bluetooth speaker was often placed between the front seats for music. Lastly, the radio antenna from the right front fender was removed, and the hole was filled and painted, along with a few minor dings and blemishes.

After the refurbishment, the BMW was driven to the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Boston, MA and to “The Vintage” in Asheville, North Carolina, where it won the People’s Choice award at both venues. It has also been displayed at “The Vintage” in Saratoga and, most recently, at Bavarian Autosports’ “Show and Shine,” where it was featured as a centerpiece exhibit on both occasions.

Following the impressive, award-winning showings, Dr. Auty sought new ways to enhance the GT’s abilities. His research led to the discovery of the Alpina 1600GT, a one-off model modified by Alpina that reportedly increased the power of the original 1.6L engine to 140 hp. As it turns out, by adding the Weber side draft carburetors and the Schrick cam, Dr. Auty had already started recreating that car, though he didn’t know it in the beginning. He sourced an ultra rare set of original factory-chromed 6X14 Alpina 1407 wheels, a close-ratio Alpina steering box, original Alpina front brakes, original Alpina air intake bridges, a NOS Abarth exhaust system with a BMW 2002 Tii exhaust manifold, custom headers, a 3.64-ratio LSD, and factory-fresh front suspension components. The cherry on top of this German sundae was the addition of two 45 DCOE Webers, allowing the 2.2L M10 engine to breathe easier and get as much fuel as it needed for spirited motoring. 

This is a carefully built and properly sorted 1967 BMW 1600GT “Alpina Tribute”. The meticulous nature of its mechanical restoration/build and impressive performance-oriented modifications cannot be overstated. While it may not be the one-of-one Alpina 1600GT, it’s the closest one will get. With nearly $100,000 invested to bring it to its current state, it is likely one of the best performing examples of its kind on the market today, well known within club circles, and a very rare opportunity. 

Included in the sale are the original engine, two transmissions, original differential, original carburetors, restoration and service records , period advertising brochures, and club magazines featuring the car.

The Market

The Details