Introduced in 1963, the Alpine A110 is arguably the most iconic car to ever wear the Alpine badge, and one of the most instantly-recognisable designs to emerge from France in the 20th century. 

Styled as a ‘berlinette’ but also available as a cabriolet the A110 utilised a number of Renault parts, including the engine. Thanks to its handling, weight distribution and impressive performance, the A110 became a staple of the rallying scene, leading Alpine to become the first World Rally Championship winner, and racking up a massive amount of wins for the works-backed teams.

This particular A110 - a late-production, 1300VC V85 example - is one of the last A110s to have rolled off of the production line at the end of their life, being only 41 units away from the final car, which bore the chassis number of 15784.

First registered on 22 July 1975, this A110 was in use between 1975 and 1984, and then subsequently stored in a garage for the rest of its lifetime. 

Following its lay-up in a garage during 1984, the car passed through several owners, before coming into the hands of our vendor - believed to be the fourth owner - in September 2020, having purchased the vehicle from a former Porsche technician who planned to restore the car upon retirement. With the vehicle having been kept stored for 30 years, it was in need of restoration, but was in mostly original condition throughout.

Having purchased the car, it was immediately shipped to FAS Sport in Belgium, who also restored the vendor’s 1600S. The car was entirely stripped, sandblasted and re-painted again to Alpine blue 341 to a very high standard. 

Alongside the bodywork restoration, the chassis was also stripped and sprayed with numerous layers of rust inhibitor, before being built back up with new brakes, hoses, tyres, suspension components and a full new / overhauled writing loom, featuring a heated windscreen. 

Any parts that were defective or past their best were replaced, keeping the car in very good working order whilst keeping its originality wherever possible. Even the radiator remains in the rear rather than having been moved to the front which was often a common modification in period. 

Having restored the car to an incredibly high standard, the choice was made to sell the vehicle, since having two A110 variations ‘made no sense’ which gives one lucky bidder the opportunity to obtain a virtually box-fresh A110 V85!

Included with the car are the full complement of Belgian restoration documents, along with several photographs of the restoration process. 

On the inside, the paired-back interior of the A110 is in commensurate condition to the rest of the car. Equipped with two buckets seats with headrests and rally 3 points seatbelts, this car is ready to have some fun! 

The instruments, switchgear and all other electrical systems are working as they should. 

Completely restored to its factory specification, the bodywork and paint on this A110 is in outstanding condition throughout, and is a testament to the work carried out by FAS Sport. 

As far as we can see, there are no marks, scratches, dents or dings on the paperwork, and barely so much as a stone chip, even. 

The chrome bumpers and details look to be the original items, and as such wear a light patina under their highly-polished finish, though we say this suits the car, and also ties in with the chrome window surrounds, badges and other trim pieces.

From what we can tell, the rear windscreen - and the rest of the glass - was not replaced during the restoration process, and as such there are numerous signs of wear in the glass, particularly to the rear window, though no cracks or other damage that we can see.

All four wheels are in exemplary condition, and wrapped in matching new Continental rubber.

Underneath, it is clear to see that the car hasn’t been used since the restoration work concluded, as the chassis is so clean you could probably eat your dinner off of it.

There are no signs of any rust, corrosion or heavy wear that we can see in the photographs provided, nor any reported by the vendor. The suspension and braking systems were fully overhauled as part of the restoration, and as such are in excellent shape.

The four-speed gearbox and engine were also extensively cleaned and refreshed, and present in fantastic visual condition, and this V85 is reportedly in rude mechanical health, with the vendor stating the car is running “perfectly.”

Restored to an exacting standard and boasting the provenance of being within the last 50 A110s built, this is an outstanding example of the iconic French sports car, with an impressive motorsports pedigree and legendary status among enthusiasts.

Presented in utterly superb condition throughout but retaining numerous original touches and a charming light patina in areas, yet mechanically sound and largely new underneath, this is an opportunity not to be missed - try and find another in this condition outside of a museum!