Modified 1990 BMW 3 Series convertible features cosmetic and performance goodies from Hartge and Alpina.
There’s a strong aftermarket support network for the BMW 3 Series, no matter which generation you’re talking about. There are several companies out there who will be happy to help you give your 3 Series a cool new wrap, better-looking wheels (which is generally hard to do on a BMW), more power, firmer springs, quicker shifts, or a richer exhaust note. The RM Sotheby’s Hartge H26 Cabriolet convertible you see here has been tweaked by two different BMW-enhancing companies: Hartge and Alpina.
It has a certain late ’80s/early ’90s coolness to it. The front end features two large eyebrows that span the tops of the four round headlights. The horizontal grille bars and the slats in the twin-kidney are white, matching the air-hungry front clip and the rest of the blocky body.
Badges on the driver’s side of the grille and trunk lid tell onlookers that Hartge turned its wrenches on this drop top. According to the listing, this one-owner Bimmer is equipped with Hartge’s H26 package, which includes “a performance exhaust, Hartge control unit chip, cam, valve covers, headers, (and) front and rear spoilers.” Total engine output is 215 horsepower—a figure well north of what the stock 325i produced back in the day.
The spindly wheel spokes surround the Alpina logo, which also appears in the middle of the steering wheel. The interior looks remarkably fresh for being nearly 30 years old. The tan seats have some use wrinkles in them, but none of them are that deep and there are no tears or cracks to speak of.
RM Sotheby’s believes this car is one of only 341 1990 model year 325i convertibles sold in Canada. The Hartge and Alpina mods make it even more special. Too bad it doesn’t have three pedals and a stick, though.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
