Beschreibung
A genuine Dieppe-built A110, now with a 1420 cc Gordini engine and 5-speed gearbox, finished in Montebello Grey with chrome trims - the only one in the UK in this colour. The car has covered only 100, 000 km from new, and we have a full documentation history file containing the original Belgian sale and registration documents & invoices. The car had two owners in Belgium before being imported into the UK by ourselves in December 2007.
Originally supplied as a 1300 V85, this car has since been professionally uprated to the highest standards into one of the best-prepared A110s around for general road use. Running our own professional motorsport/ performance tuning business, we've been able to ensure that all mechanical upgrades were carried out perfectly to modern standards while being sympathetic to the age and history of the vehicle. Renowned Alpine experts and specialists were consulted at every stage!
This is not a concours car; it has been used and enjoyed on many trips to France and in the UK, and the condition reflects that. There are minor scratches on the paintwork and some scrapes on the fibreglass on the underside at the front, but no corrosion to the chassis and no significant faults to our knowledge.
In detail then:
Suspension: When we acquired the car, it was fitted with its original springs and dampers and desperately needed uprating. Being in the trade, we were able to specify the spring rate and coil dimensions to suit the car better, and had several sets wound to our requirements (which we supplied to other A110 owners). New Bilstein dampers completed the package.
Engine: An R5 1420 Gordini engine was built for us by an Alpine specialist to improve performance, but we soon realised that the oil supply in the standard format was insufficient for the demands of the engine. So another rebuilt followed, this time with a high-capacity oil sump which we had machined to our specifications to take a high-flow oil pump. Result: no more oil starvation issues. The original 1300 engine - in fully usable condition - is of course included in the sale.
The exhaust manifold has been ceramic-coated to keep engine bay temperatures down, and the rear-mounted radiator with high-efficiency cooling fans now provides perfectly adequate cooling.
The exhaust was custom-built to our specification in high quality stainless steel, and provides a seriously throaty note without being excessively loud.
Fuel is supplied via two period twin-choke Weber 40DCOE carburettors with custom-made stone guards on the air intakes. An electronic ignition system is also fitted.
The original electrics have been retained as far as possible, but fuses and relays have been added for improved safety. An electronic master cutoff switch has also been fitted.
Gearbox: The original 4-speed transmission (although in perfectly good condition) didn't quite suit the needs of the newly uprated engine. So we found a 5-speed gearbox which was then fully rebuilt by an Alpine specialist in 2009, and an optimized crown wheel/ pinion (Mecaparts) with ratios from the 1600S was also installed. Reinforced triangulated gearbox mounts to reduce vibration added the finishing touch. The original 4-speed gearbox is included in the sale.
Brakes: The braking system has been improved in line with engine performance, with Mecaparts calipers and high quality discs and pads for fast road use. Aeroquip braided hoses have been fitted on the front, and a new master cylinder was installed in September 2021.
Interior: The car is equipped with folding, fully adjustable EKU competition-spec seats with lumbar supports and head restraints for optimum safety and comfort on long journeys. The original seats, in good age-related condition, are provided with the car.
The interior features the original sun visors and leather luggage straps, and even the cabin heater works (unusually for an A110!).
Currently fitted with Image wheels in silver, the original Alpine wheels come with the car. Aftermarket plastic bumpers are fitted for practicality, but the original chrome sections will be provided.
On a classic car weekend in France some years ago, the celebrated A110 rally driver Jean Ragnotti was presenting the awards when he spotted our Alpine and came across for a chat. An autographed headlining is the result!
To summarize, this is a fabulous driver's car with a great history, and is a rare sight on UK roads. We've had many years of fun in her, and although reluctant to part with a car which means so much to us, we've now acquired a brand-new A110 so it's time to let another lucky owner enjoy the unique experience of driving this classic.
More photographs are available on request. The car is located in Nottingham and can be viewed by appointment.
History of the Alpine A110
The A110 achieved most of its fame in the early 1970s as a victorious rally car. After winning several rallies in France in the late 1960s with iron-cast R8 Gordini engines, the car was fitted with the aluminium-block Renault 16 TS engine. With two dual-chamber Weber 45 carburettors, the TS engine delivered 125 hp (93 kW) DIN at 6, 000 rpm. This allowed the production 1600S to reach a top speed of 210 km/ h (130 mph). The car reached international fame during the 1970–1972 seasons when it participated in the newly created International Championship for Manufacturers, winning several events around Europe and being considered one of the strongest rally cars of its time. Notable performances from the car included victory in the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally with Swedish driver Ove Andersson.
With the buy-out of Alpine by Renault complete, Renault elected to compete in the World Rally Championship for 1973 with the A110. With a team featuring Bernard Darniche, Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Jean-Luc Thérier as permanent drivers and "guest stars" like Jean-Claude Andruet (who won the 1973 Monte Carlo Rally), the A110 won most races where the works team was entered, making Alpine the first World Rally Champion.
(Note to auction houses and brokers: please don't contact us offering to handle the sale - we've had many such calls in the past and already have a file full of contact details!)
