The collector's piece shown here from Modelly member “Phat-T” is very likely an Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé based on the BMW 6 Series of the E24 generation, built from 1976 to 1989. The predecessor of the E24 was the BMW E9 coupé, whose classic lines were carried over into the new 6 Series in a more modern form. The design of the production BMW 6 Series E24 is generally credited to Paul Bracq, while the technical development at BMW came from several departments; at Alpina, the turbo version was further developed in-house. Alpina comes from Buchloe in Bavaria and was founded in 1965. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Alpina evolved from a BMW tuner into a manufacturer with its own technical identity. The Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé was based, depending on the version, on the 628 CSi or 633 CSi and got a turbocharged inline-six, revised engine management, adapted suspension components, and modified aerodynamic parts. Typical power figures were well above stock levels; early B7 Turbo versions were, depending on year and spec, in the range of around 300 hp. That made the Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé one of the fast German grand tourers of its time. Technical features of the original included a turbocharger, modified pistons, adjusted compression, a revised exhaust system, special spring/damper tuning, and high-speed tires. For the period context: in 1978, the first model year of the Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé, Pope John Paul I and later John Paul II were elected, Boney M.’s “Rivers of Babylon” was a major international hit, and the TV series “Dallas” premiered in the US. These examples help place the car’s age and historical setting.
In the original, Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé tech combined high cruising speed with the long, low coupé body of the E24. The front with BMW twin kidney grilles, the wide hood, and the strong side profile gave it a restrained but instantly recognizable shape. A major hallmark of many Alpina cars was the multicolor stripe graphics running along the sides, plus front and rear spoilers. On the photos of the model, you can clearly see exactly that look: a white body, green and blue trim stripes in a sharp geometric design, and the side script “ALPINA.” The front spoiler is tied into the graphic scheme, and there’s a dark spoiler on the trunk lid at the rear. You can also see yellow-tinted inner headlights, which echo period motorsport and tuning details. The wheels are based on the well-known multispoke Alpina design; however, the exact wheel model can’t be identified with total certainty from the photos alone. Inside, the seats show plaid center sections in green and yellow, echoing typical fabric patterns of that era. The frameless side windows, the slim roofline, and the long door also capture the proportions of the Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé really well. Depending on the version, the original came with manual or automatic transmissions, disc brakes all around, and axle ratios tuned for high-speed driving. It’s that mix of a turbocharged inline-six and grand touring body that still makes the Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé so appealing today.
For collectors, this is a model car in scale 1/18, made by Solido. The base is labeled “ALPINA B7 TURBO (E24),” which also helps confirm the identification. The diecast model is made from metal casting with added plastic parts for finer details. In side view, the E24 shape looks spot on: long hood, set-back cabin, and a short rear with spoiler. You can see finely modeled bumpers with chrome and rubber effects, an outside mirror in a metallic finish, black window trim, and a cleanly separated side molding. The paint is white, with the typical Alpina stripes in green and blue running across the front spoiler, fenders, doors, and rear quarter panel. The “ALPINA” script on the door is clearly visible in the photos. The wheels show the familiar turbine-style / multispoke look, and the tires sit neatly in the wheel arches. Through the side windows, you can partially see the interior: a black dashboard, a dark steering wheel, and plaid seats. The roof, C-pillar, and flat rear window reproduce the coupé lines in a believable way. The front end, with BMW grilles and the color-separated lights, is also easy to pick out in the close-up. This model car in scale 1/18, made by Solido, is clearly aimed at collectors looking for classic BMW and Alpina vehicles in a popular display scale.
Looking directly at this particular piece from “Phat-T’s” collection, the color scheme stands out right away. The white base coat creates a sharp contrast with the green and blue stripes, which don’t just run straight but are offset in a few places with geometric breaks. That gives it the classic look of early and mid-era Alpina cars. The lettering is kept subtle: “ALPINA” on the side, a small reference on the front spoiler, and the model name on the base. The dark trim pieces — rear spoiler, window frames, side moldings, and the area around the rear window — add structure to the light-colored body. For model car collectors, the overall impression matters too: the coupé feels balanced thanks to the low roofline, long hood, and large doors, and it shows exactly the design language the Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé is known for. The close-up of the front-left corner also shows that Solido gave this 1/18 model good depth in the grille, lights, and spoiler sections. That makes the miniature easy to read in a display case. There doesn’t seem to be any clear link to a specific movie or TV car in this Alpina B7 Turbo Coupé model based on the photos, so the focus here is simply on a period-correct street and tuning classic. For international collectors of BMW E24s, 1980s coupés, and Alpina cars, this piece offers a very recognizable mix of brand identity, period graphics, and characteristic body details.