About Us - The Alpine Touch

Welcome to
The Alpine Touch ,

hosted by On-Board Engineering & Sales Inc.

Our mission is to share with you a behind the scenes look at how Alpine Electronics of America introduced the Alpine brand to the Car Audio Market in 1979. We’re calling it:

“The Alpine Touch – First Fifteen years”.

The story of the Alpine brand is one of the most outstanding examples of superlative brand-building in the history of consumer electronics. Parts of it have been told by many. But our approach is very special, because it comes directly from the founding staff and takes you on the journey from the inside out. And we’ve successfully captured the iconic images from those years and actually created a special Collector’s Set.

David Black, Alpine Aftermarket EVP, was one of six USA individuals who crafted the marketing and brand Introduction messaging that established the Alpine Brand in the USA. Alpine became one of the most enthusiastically embraced brands in all of consumer electronics. So what created The Alpine Touch?

Dave was part of the first staff meeting, held on orange crates, in Alpine’s California Torrance facility. Sadly, the other 5 members have passed, but Dave is still kicking, and his recollections are pretty darn incredible. Fortunately, his staff had a “pack-rat” mentality and archived hundreds of images to support the key marketing milestones achieved by the Alpine Electronics team.

For those of you who grew up with Alpine and Lamborghini, this will be an enjoyable look into the nostalgia of those days. Back in the those days, almost every Alpine customer during the early years not only purchased Alpine source units, but they also found a way to score one of four very special stunning Alpine/Lamborghini co-branded posters.

Those iconic posters have now been restored using the latest graphic technologies and printed on collectible quality art paper. We have been surprised by the interest and demand for this collectible set – so we are making it available to Alpine/Lamborghini enthusiasts in a limited edition Fine Art collector set. Each will be numbered and signed by the key staff from that period.

This Collector Set comes with a Certification of Authenticity – so you know it’s a legit reproduction of the original. It’s a big deal. Alpine (now called Alps-Alpine) and Lamborghini SpA have given permission to On-Board Engineering and Sales to do the research, source the originals and make this all happen.

These Alpine/Lamborghini Images will jog your memories and refresh those feelings from “the good old days“! This was – and is – a special story, and only getting better with age. In fact, Dave and Alpine’s VP of Technology have joined forces again for one last “roll the dice” project together. They will co-host a Documentary to air in the 4th quarter of 2024. The Alpine Touch website will host it, so enthusiasts, fans, history buffs and collectors may share the story for years to come.

Thanks in advance for tuning in… your support means the world to us. It did back then – and it does now. It was always about you – the customer. Your support and loyalty for the Alpine brand is what The Alpine Touch was built on.

SHOP THE COLLECTIONS

Who Is Behind
The Alpine Touch?

David Black

Chief Operating Officer, On-Board Engineering & Sales Inc.
(2002–Present)

David Black is a seasoned executive with over four decades of leadership in the mobile electronics industry. As a founding member of Alpine Electronics of America’s U.S. team, Dave played a pivotal role in introducing Alpine to North America. He served as a Board Member and Executive Vice President of Aftermarket from 1979 to 1994. In 1994, Clarion Sales Corp., recruited Dave as EVP to lead its Aftermarket group
and collaborate with the Product Development Team on innovative technologies, including telematics platforms like the AutoPC. In 1997, he took on the role of President at McIntosh Labs’ Sales Corp., a Clarion subsidiary, where he successfully restructured the company’s operations. Dave returned to Clarion in 1999, serving until 2001.

Recognizing a market gap in marine audio solutions, Dave founded On-Board Engineering & Sales Inc. (OBES) in 2002. Under his leadership, OBES designed and sourced advanced marine audio platforms, including digital radio systems with transport-free streaming, Digital AM/FM tuners, and IP66-rated platforms. These designs became the standard for major OEM boat builders.

Dave resides in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, with his wife of 56 years, Jan. They have three sons and seven grandchildren. A former car racing participant, Dave now enjoys the sport as a fan. He’s currently producing a historical DocuCast on Alpine Electronics’ introduction to the USA, where he was one of the six founding members.

Rich Coe

Retired… key member of the early Alpine Electronics Engineering Team. He was the first person to engineer and install a 12” subwoofer in a 1977 VW BUG. He helped develop Alpine aftermarket products which included Source Units, Amplifiers, Processors and Speaker Systems during 1980-1992 and assisted the 12V trade groups to address driver distraction specifications, and IDB regulatory specs. He developed the Global Alpine Technology & Education (GATE) and worked globally to upgrade Alpine’s international affiliates to adopt new protocols of mobile electronics installation standards in the emerging digital world. And he worked with Clarion Corp of America on developing the Auto PC, the first HD based in-dash car entertainment system.

Tom Kelley

(Shotgun Tom Kelley) from Hollywood Ca., has been an outstanding radio personality for 50+ years: Star of Fame inductee, supporter of Muscular Dystrophy Association. He assisted Alpine Electronics with promoting corporate events, promotions and consumer media from 1985-1994 and worked with Alpine’s Car Audio Nationals initiative to improve appreciation and awareness of the capabilities of high-end car audio systems and vehicle safety through car security systems. Tom followed Dave to Clarion and McIntosh Labs, with celebrity endorsements for new product & technology intros and marketing plans.

Tim Stahl

A very talented Photo/Videographer for 35+ years in San Diego, Tim worked with Alpine Electronics from 1986 to 1994 as Alpine’s official videographer and Alpine historian. Tim also is directly involved with “The Alpine Touch” development team which is a DocuCast of Alpine Electronics of America Inc., early stages, and helping restore the legacy of the iconic Alpine/Lamborghini marketing images.

Rich Frank

COO Frank Marketing. 40 years performing Public Relations functions for companies doing business in the Consumer Electronics business category. Worked for Alpine Electronics of America, McIntosh Labs, and several high profile brands in the smart home, home theater and 12V industry segments. Rich was integral to the publicity efforts of the Alpine brand, for example directly invloved promoting the Car Audio Nationals initiatve that took the Apine brand to an ever-larger audience.

Welcome to The Alpine Touch ,