Alpina->ke1232 is celebrating 50 years of modifying BMWs->ke178 in 2015 and has just released a 10-minute video->ke278 that showcases some of the brand's most important moments. From the car that started it all, the 1500 model BMW launched at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show,->ke235 to the latest range of Alpina-badged cars, company founder Burkard Bovensiepen talks about what made Alpina one of the most celebrated BMW tuners in the world.

Alpina also invited two of the drivers that helped the brand achieve important victories on the race track: Niki Lauda and Hans Stuck. While Lauda remembers how Bovensiepen asked him to pull his Alpina into the pit lane to have it cleaned before it crossed the finish line at Nurburgring->ke999, Stuck shares some of the pranks he pulled on Alpina's head honcho.

The video also includes insight on how Burkard founded the company back in the day. Interesting facts here include that the Alpina name is related to the fact that the initial shop was located near the Alps and that the name was originally can be traced to Bovensiepen's father, whose company produced office machinery. Yup, Alpina built typewriters long before it modified its first BMW 1500.

But you can find out more on that and other interesting stories about Alpina in the footage above. Hit the play button for 50 years of Alpina history squeezed into just 10 minutes. If you don't speak German you'll have to read the captions, but it's worth it!

Alpina D4 Biturbo

Find out more about the Alprina D4 Biturbo in our review here.