Undeniably one of the finest sports cars ever made, the Alpine A110 was launched in 1963 using Renault mechanicals, housed inside a fibreglass body mounted on a steel backbone chassis. Most of the mechanical parts were from the Renault Dauphine, or latterly the R8 Gordini. It was a hugely successful rally car thanks to its lightweight body and rear-engine, rear-drive layout which made it tail happy and perfect for gravel and snow.
It enjoyed a fourteen-year production run, and this example is one of the last ones made, a 1977 variant that has been with its current owner for the past 38 years and has benefited from a comprehensive renovation in recent years.
The vendor tells us:
"I had a rally driver who is also a mechanic go through the car and said it drives amazingly, he was trilled by its performance and condition."image.png1.67 MB
The History and Paperwork
70,000 warranted kilometres
Owned by the same enthusiast for the past 41 year
Always meticulously serviced
Restored five years ago
Rare late 1400 model
Prepated for track qiru spaew engien but never raced
The vendor is willing to assist potential viewers with transport from the airport
Almost entirely original, other than small items such as the water thermostat, which the vendor tried to have repaired; however, it is not possible to repair them when they fail
Currently fitted with a tuned 1397cc Alpine engine built entirely with original Alpine parts.
The vendor has owned the Alpine since 1984, when he acquired it off a friend who kept it for his cousin to use whilst visiting from the States.
He’s had it as part of his collection since, using it occasionally and treating the Alpine to an extensive renovation in 2018, when it was restored and fitted with an uprated engine with a specification is as follows: 1396cc with circa 125 HP, a little higher compression cylinder head, higher camshaft and racing pistons, light fly wheel, all balanced. There are specially made Venturis and funnels for the two double 40 mm Solex carburettors and K&N air filters.
The original 1396cc engine with circa 92HP was rebuilt with new pistons, cylinder liners, valves and bearings and is supplied with the car.
Over 23,000 Euros was spent in total, bringing it up to the standard you see it in now. It has all the correct ownership documentation.image.png1.23 MB
The Condition
French Racing Blue
Fibreglass in good order
Excellent underside
De-chromed
Five-dial dash
Three-spoke Nardi sports wheel
All original and in good order
Original three-bolt, two component wheels
Yokohama semi-slick, street-legal tyres
Fitted with a roll cage
Finished in traditional French Racing Blue, the Alpine looks incredible and is in fabulous order. Look closely and you’ll find a few very small spidery cracks in the fibreglass panels, but nothing of note and the underside is said to be exceptional.
It sits on original three-bolt, two-component tyres.
The paint looks superb, and the seller reports that it has never sustained any accident damage.
It also still has its underbody skid plates, which are highly sought after, and the original race front spoiler in French racing blue also comes with the car. The vendor has also carried out further finishing, like mounting some chrome strips around the car and mounting new seat covers on top of the original seats (to keep it as original as possible)in the style of the rally seats.
Inside, the Alpine has the later five-dial dash with a supplementary temperature gauge, along with a genuine (and very collectable) wood-rimmed three-spoke Nardi steering wheel, which is a beautiful thing.
A full roll cage reinforces the car's rally credentials. In the boot, it still has its original jack and starting handle.
Engine replaced during renovation, original included
Original 4-speed manual short-shift gearbox
Extensive brake overhaul
Suspension upgrades
Engine is the same as the one used in Renault 5 Turbo and Turbo 2 which also won the World Championship Rally in 1980
Renovation & Performance Currently installed engine: • Original 1397 cc Alpine block and original Alpine parts • High-compression head • Race camshaft & race pistons • Lightened flywheel • Twin double carburettors with K&N filters • Stainless steel custom-made exhaust
During its renovation, the 110 was fitted with a late model 1397cc engine, renowned for being the strongest and most reliable unit fitted to the model and also used as the basis for the Renault 5 GT Turbo unit.
The engine itself has covered around 5,000 km since a full rebuild, while the original 65,000km engine is supplied with the car. The vendor reports that it's huge fun to drive with a very short and precise gearshift.
Recent work includes new brake pads, brake cylinders and callipers, accelerator cable, engine mounts, radiator and a full service. It sits on lowered racing springs and has a full suspension overhaul during its rebuild.
The whole brake system has been renewed and renovated, and a new water pump has been installed.
The original long coil springs and a few spare parts, including a brand new front-mounted radiator system, and a new inside door panel for the window sill, also come with the car.image.png1.53 MB
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