Hi,
I am a new member of the forum looking for some information on an old car I've owned for while.
It is a RHD 1977 e21 with vin 3781386. This VIN makes it originally a 320i. It was originally an English car but was imported into Australia I think in the 1990s. I have some old photos of it before it was repainted and it had Alpina written between the tail lights and it has a myriad of alpina parts - diff, steering wheel, period recaro seats, offset wheels, etc.
I read somewhere that this chassis number was in a batch of cars sent from Germany into England for conversion by Sytner.
The car is highly modified. It has a m30 2.8 with engine number matching the chassis (easily changed) but does have original alpina engine mounts.
I have swapped notes will axel at alpina and is not familiar with the vehicle.
Can anyone on this forum provide any tips on where I can get more detail of the history of this car.
Cheers
History of my E21
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aussiebruce
- Newbee
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:00 am
- My E21(s): 1977 RHD E21 320i
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Oz E21
- Newbee
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2015 11:40 pm
- My E21(s): 1981 323i manual
- Location: Adelaide, Australia
Re: History of my E21
Hi Bruce,
Nice to see some downunder support.
I was going to suggest to check the Shannons enthusiast page when I came accross this:
https://www.shannons.com.au/club/enthus ... bmw-e21-1/
If all else fails, the following is remarkably similar and at that price point, it'll be available for a while:
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/det ... 6610/?Cr=9

Nice to see some downunder support.
I was going to suggest to check the Shannons enthusiast page when I came accross this:
https://www.shannons.com.au/club/enthus ... bmw-e21-1/
If all else fails, the following is remarkably similar and at that price point, it'll be available for a while:
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/det ... 6610/?Cr=9

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aussiebruce
- Newbee
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:00 am
- My E21(s): 1977 RHD E21 320i
Re: History of my E21
Hi, Oz.
Thanks for the message.
The Shannons link is my car - the one I am looking for more history on. I saw the other one on carsales also - you're right, it will be there a while..
Thanks for the message.
The Shannons link is my car - the one I am looking for more history on. I saw the other one on carsales also - you're right, it will be there a while..
- Jeroen
- Site Admin
- Posts: 30131
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
- My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: History of my E21
If Alpina doesn't have a record on the car, and I thought they kept those on all B6's including the ones built at their agents, I guess Sytner is the one to contact.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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aussiebruce
- Newbee
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:00 am
- My E21(s): 1977 RHD E21 320i
Re: History of my E21
Latest update - I send a note to BMW HQ in uk and they say they have no record of cars delivered in the uk in the 1970s. Bit surprised to say the least.
- Jeroen
- Site Admin
- Posts: 30131
- Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
- My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
- Location: The Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: History of my E21
Believe they kept records from the introduction of the 17 digit VIN numbers onwards, but they keep destroying archives. You could order custom locks and keys on VIN as well, but not for E21's anymore thesd days.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen