However impressive the 911 may be, it was no match for the nimble Alpine A110 on gravel stages around the world. And few drivers have demonstrated this with as much determination as the fiercely independent Corsican Jean-Pierre Manzagol. For several years, during the Tour de Corse – a particularly gruelling event – he pushed his A110 to the limit to outpace far more prestigious cars and relentlessly chase down the works cars.
 
In 1975, partnered with Jean-François Filippi, Manzagol secured an incredible fourth place in the overall standings, and this magnificent 1973 A110 is a loving tribute to that ‘number 12’ car. Highly detailed, notably featuring its stickers, decals and bulging wheel arches, it bears witness to the craftsmanship and passion of its owner – who has owned it for 23 years – for these cars. Take a close look at the photos and you’ll see a whole series of signatures from Alpine rally personalities, such as Michèle ‘Biche’ ’ Espinosi-Petit and her co-driver Jean-Claude Andruet, the Renault 5 and Alpine specialist Jean Ragnotti, as well as the ‘Alpine Musketeers’ Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Bernard Darniche.
 
The work was completed in 2019 by a specialist workshop, at a cost of around €42,000. This included the fitting of a new chassis, bodywork and paintwork repairs, and the installation of a new 1,688 cm³ Alpine engine producing 160 ch. The electrical system, brakes and cooling system were also refurbished.
 
The seller informs us that this car, which has had only three owners, has always been garaged and has only been serviced by a specialist, passionate mechanic. For those looking for a rally-inspired Alpine A110 with a solid mechanical pedigree and a history of meticulous long-term maintenance, this is a particularly attractive proposition.

The level of detail achieved during the restoration of this magnificent A110 is such that it is difficult to tell whether this is Manzagol’s actual car or a meticulous tribute. It is as much a show car as it is a high-performance historic rally replica.
 
Thanks to the enthusiasm of its current owner and the care taken in maintaining it, the car is presented in its very best light, both inside and out.

In 1975, Alpine raised the bar considerably in terms of performance, giving the Manzagol nearly 300 ch thanks to its 1.8-litre turbocharged engine. Fortunately, this tribute model is closer to the specifications of its predecessors, particularly the 1973 model, and is therefore much more practical and undoubtedly more reliable as an everyday car.
 
The engine was replaced during the restoration and is now a 1.7-litre unit mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. We’re told that the car has been regularly serviced by a specialist mechanic and is being offered for sale with a long-term roadworthiness certificate.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to Car & Classic’s terms and conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, which means that consumer rights under European consumer protection legislation do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s terms and conditions. 

✓ We require a non-refundable fee to be paid if you are the successful bidder or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our FAQs and terms and conditions for specific rates. 

✓ This vehicle is  sold ‘as is’, on an ‘as seen, where seen’ basis and without warranty. Photographs and descriptions are provided for guidance only, and it is standard practice to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle before purchase for your own peace of mind. 

✓ VAT is included in the buyer’s deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final price of the bid or offer, as specified in the advert. 

✓ We are just as keen as you are for the transaction to go smoothly, which is why cars and motorbikes registered in theand listed for sale on Car & Classic are subject to an HPI check to verify that they have no insurance database flags for damage or theft, and that they are not subject to any financial charge, allowing you to bid with confidence. 

✓ We also check whether vehicles are registered as written-off following a total loss at the time the advert is placed on Car & Classic, and we provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status, and it is always advisable to carry out a full check of the vehicle’s history before making an offer. 

✓ Buyers are responsible for collecting or arranging delivery of the vehicle. Importing vehicles may incur additional customs duties and import taxes. If you wish, we can recommend a third-party transport company to assist you. For further details and to speak to the team, please email auctions@carandclassic.com.