Beschreibung
We love these little rally cars here and always try and have one in stock, although they are getting rarer to find! This little beauty is a genuine French, Dieppe built, 1969 Alpine Renault A110 1300G, not to be confused with FASA or Dinalpin, cars built under license in other countries. She has been in the same ownership for over 33 years and has at some stage been converted to Group IV specification! I am sure you will agree she looks great with a wonderful used patina!
One of the great names in post-war French motor sport, Alpine was the brainchild of Dieppe garagiste's son, Jean Redele, who began in the early 1950s by developing a competition version of the popular little Renault 4CV, which won its class in the Mille Miglia three years running. From this he developed the first Alpine - the A106 with Renault 4CV running gear and streamlined glassfibre coupé bodywork - which was presented to Régie Renault in July 1955. This 747cc Renault 4CV-based machine set the trend for a range of sports cars culminating in the A610 of the mid-1990s. Glassfibre bodies and rear-mounted production engines remained a common theme for 40 years. Up-rated in 1956 with the new Dauphine engine, the A106 also established the company's competition heritage with a class-winning performance in the 1956 Mille Miglia.
By 1958 Redele was using a sophisticated tubular steel chassis, and in 1961 he introduced the A108 Berlinette Tour de France which featured a tubular backbone frame, double wishbone front suspension and a Renault Dauphine swing-axle set-up at the rear. It was developed into a potent - and often unbeatable - rally car, using a variety of Renault power units. For 1963 Alpine launched the A110 Berlinette, which became the mainspring of production. Produced from 1962 through to 1977, this charismatic sports two-seater rivalled the Porsche 911 for performance while being even more exclusive: the hand-built Alpines left the factory at the rate of only 10 per week in the late 1960s/ early 1970s. Alpines were also assembled by Renault's subsidiaries in Brazil, Bulgaria, Mexico and Spain.
Its rearward weight bias gave the A110 outstanding cornering characteristics for rallying. In 1969 A110s finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the Coupe des Alpes and came 3rd in the Monte Carlo Rally. The following year, Alpines again came 3rd in the Monte and won the Acropolis and Tour de Corse rallies. Alpine driver Jean-Claude Andruet became European Rally Champion. By 1971 the marque's competition record had endeared Alpine to Renault to such an extent that they were appointed as its official competition wing. More successes followed in 1971, '72 and '73, including two Monte Carlo Rally victories and the first World Rally Championship for Makes.
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 just been tested and passed with no advisories. It carries a patina of age that adds character. With the modern A110 putting a well deserved spotlight on these original cars, this is a great value example. Our car has the Desirable 1255cc Renault R8 Gordini engine developing 105bhp, making this one of the most powerful A110s of its time matched with the Five-speed manual gearbox. It is believed to be the original engine to the car as supported by Alpine correspondence confirming correct type. Recent 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. There is a Stainless steel exhaust system fitted and Old MOTs support low mileage since 1990. A rare opportunity to purchase a French A110 with the Group IV kit at a reasonable price!
