Highlights

An original and unrestored Alpine that has been part of the vendors collection for 33 years!
Has just had over £4,000 spent on a full recommissioning as has received sparing use
Group 4 Rally car evocation with low mileage and in solid, very presentable condition
Desirable 1300G model with rare Type VA chassis, 5-speed gearbox and 1255cc Renault R8 Gordini 105bhp engine
Highly capable, ultra light rear engined car that is very engaging and rewarding to drive
MOT and tax exempt but has MOT to January 2024

The Appeal

The original Alpine A110 cleverly utilised proprietary mechanicals from Renault, fitted to a bespoke chassis and clothed in a svelte coupe styling, to win podiums on rally stages and acclaim from lucky buyers. Light, agile and responsive it proved that small engines with relatively low power were more than a match for much bigger machines.

This 1969 1300G began life in blue with standard bodywork, but has been neatly evolved into a Group IV evocation complete with ‘ailes bulles’ wheelarches, front air dam and distinctive duck tail. It has been in the hands of the same owner since shortly after it arrived in the UK in 1990 and has just been recommissioned at a cost of over £4,000 after 10 years in dry storage. Although MOT exempt it has been tested to help buyers verify the condition. It carries a light patina of age that adds character.

With the modern A110 putting a well deserved spotlight on these original cars, it looks ready to wow a new owner with its multifold delights.

The History and Paperwork

First registered on in 1969 and accordingly noted on DVLA V5
UK registered with DVLA on 19th March 1990
MOT tested on 10th January 2023 at 88,044 kilometers with no advisories
Invoices totalling over £4,000 for work by classic car specialist in January 2023 covering recommissioning
Previous MOT on 1st February 2013 at 87,985 kilometers with no other MOT history on file
1989 document from Alpine confirming the car’s factory specification with chassis and engine numbers that match the V5 and photographs
Has never been used competitively but took part in the 1991, 1992 and 1994 Norwich Union/RAC Classic Car Runs
Very early 1300G model from first few weeks of this version’s introduction

The Interior

Original black plastic dashboard with stylish array of gauges showing some light age-related wear
Fibreglass headlining appears original
Attractive Mod Plastia bucket seats with velour insets in good condition
Willans four-point harnesses
Very small rear seats

The original A110 was styled as a ‘berlinetta’ coupe and in-period buyers lured in by the car’s rally heritage might have been surprised at how well appointed and comfortable the interior was. Despite the car’s sporting capabilities, it is a spacious and pleasant place to be with a neatly styled instrument binnacle and dashboard.

The interior of this car is very presentable with a dusting of patina that adds to this distinctive car’s considerable character. There is room for improvement if the buyer wishes but perhaps the various scuffs and chips across the dashboard are part of what make this 54 year old car so appealing.

The dashboard appears to be in good overall condition with everything working as it should apart from the clock and no obvious signs of cracking. Similarly the door cards appear original as as the small vinyl rear seats and black carpeting. The carpets are good but may benefit from a clean. There is a pair of attractive Mod Plastia bucket seats with pleated vinyl bolsters and velour bases. They are in good condition with slight signs of wear. Four point Willans harnesses are fitted. We understand that the car has never been used competitively but the photographs do indicate that it has been used on several UK classic car group adventures.

The white fibreglass headlining appears to be original and is in good, uncracked and undamaged condition but with various scuffs and marks that look as if they would clean off.

The Exterior

Fibreglass bodywork delivers remarkable 620kg featherweight
Group IV body kit with ‘ailes bulles’ wheel arch extensions, front air dam and duck tail engine cover
Delta Mics split rim lattice style alloy wheels with 185 profile Pirelli tyres on front and 205 profile Michelin tyres on rear
Chassis and bodywork repairs completed in January 2023 following dry garage storage
Paintwork in generally presentable condition with the usual age-related fibreglass ‘stars’ and ‘cracks’
One of the last A110s fitted with the earlier Alpine VA chassis
Chassis and bodywork repairs in January 2023 including offside rear area, front suspension and alignment of passenger door

The svelte, sculptural Alpine shape cleverly disguised running gear expressly designed to deliver the low weight and excellence chassis balance required by the world’s rally stages. It was a neat combination of form and function and has proved so enduring that it strongly influenced the styling of the modern A110.

This 1969 1300G left the factory, according to records in the history file, as a standard car finished in blue, one of the most popular Alpine colours to this day. At some stage in its interesting history, before its arrival in the UK in 1990, it was turned into an evocation of the Group IV rally cars using one of the many popular kits available for these cars. At the same time it appears to have been professionally resprayed in red and the rear duck tail graphics added. It looks purposeful and presentable, a road-going version of those gravel-stage icons.

As an older restoration it has held up very well, likely a reflection of the low mileage and limited use since 2013. There are signs of the usual age-related fibreglass cracks and stars but nothing significant and what there is could also be easily classified as patina. A few smaller scratches and chips can be found around the car as per the photo gallery.

The car sits on attractive Delta Mic split rim lattice style alloy wheels. The fronts are shod with 185 profile Pirelli tyres while the rears have 205 profile Michelins. Wheels and tyres appear to be in good condition but would benefit from a clean.

The Mechanics

Desirable 1255cc Renault R8 Gordini engine developing 105bhp, making this one of the most powerful A110s of its time
Five-speed manual gearbox
Work to carburettors, fan belt, brake callipers, braking system, handbrake and various electrical systems undertaken in January 2023 at a cost of over £4,000
Car has only covered 1,000 kilometers since this work was done
New contact breakers and condensers since January 2023
Electric fuel pump replaces original mechanical pump for improved reliability
Stainless steel exhaust system
Old MOTs support low mileage since 1990

Like the first Porsches in Germany, Alpine took a similar route to rear-engined capability using proprietary mechanicals. In the French firm’s case they had access to Renault’s parts bin. For some lucky A110 buyers this meant the superb R8 Gordini engine, a 1255cc motor that was developed to 105bhp for the A110. The so-named 1300G was one of the most powerful A110s available at the time, its low weight and relatively high power enough to surprise much more powerful machinery on the highways of Europe.

Records from the Alpine factory in the history file for this car confirm that it retains its correct type delightful Gordini engine. It remains largely standard, just a stainless steel exhaust and electric - rather than mechanical - fuel pump being changes from factory specification.

The car has been in the hands of the seller since 1990 and prior to the current MOT was last tested in February 2013, covering only 160 kilometers between those tests because it was dry garaged stored inbetween. It was recommissioned in January 2023 at a cost of over £4,000, the work completed by a classic car specialist and including mechanical rectification as well as structural repairs to the chassis and bodywork. The work included overhauling the braking system, adjusting the carburettors, fitting a fan belt and remedying electrical malfunctions. The car passed its new test without any advisories.

Previous work includes invoices from 2002 for work to the brakes and fuelling system.

There is a thick history file from the seller’s time with the car that includes photographs of various UK excursions and plenty of old MOTs to verify the mileage.

Summary

Handsome and highly capable, the original A110 is a true motoring icon and one that was as capable off the road as it was on the road. That likely explains why many have been professionally converted to rally evocations, a route that simply dials up the drama of these arresting cars.

This gorgeous Group IV low mileage replica is an older conversion with a gentle patina of age that has just been comprehensively recommissioned at considerable expense by the seller. A handy MOT gives buyers full transparency on its solid condition. It is highly distinctive and perhaps the perfect introduction to the vibrant world of classic car road trips and tours.

Please note that another vehicle sharing this VIN has been recorded as subject to a finance agreement and stolen. This is therefore displayed when performing an HPI check, although it has been confirmed to us by HPI that this is not the same vehicle. BHY102H is clear from any lien or encumbrance.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.

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