Highlights
- Early 1600VE in immaculate condition, silver over red
- Thoroughly restored, with work covering every element of the car
- Restored in 2023 and only 4,000 miles since
- Current owner since 1981
- MOT valid until August 2027
The Appeal
Replacing a car as iconic as the original A110 was a tall order, but thanks to design luminaries such as Trevor Fiore, the A310 that followed is a masterpiece. Light and agile like its predecessor, but with supercar styling, these cars have few equals in the world of classics.
And few A310s are perhaps as beautiful as this early 1972 model. It is a 1600VE equipped with a 1,284 cc four-cylinder engine from the Renault 17TS Gordini, with two Weber 45 DCOE carburettors, which sits at the rear. The condition is truly impressive thanks to a meticulous three-year restoration finished in 2023 that touched every element of the car. The work included the renovation and re-opening of the bodyshell, which was repainted in the original Montebello grey. The red interior has been redone and is presented to a high standard. The engine, gearbox, suspension, drivetrain and brakes have all been refurbished. The car has covered only 4,000 km since completion and carries a reassuring MOT valid until August 2027.
The seller acquired the car in 1981 and drove it regularly until 1986, when it was stored in a garage with the odometer reading 18,401 km. It was retrieved from the archives in 2020 when restoration began.
Here is an opportunity to acquire one of the most stylish and entertaining sports cars in France, where someone else has already done all the hard work for you.
The seller states
“Fully restored car, runs perfectly, and I find it very handsome; the only issue is the front grille, which is not original. Less than 4,000 miles have been covered since its restoration.”
History and papers
- Registered in France
- Bought by the seller in June 1981
- Driven regularly until 1986
- Garaged between 1986 and 2020
- Three-year restoration from 2020 to around 2023
- The odometer reads 21,820 km, but this figure is considered unreliable and not verified
- Copy of the old registration document available
- Period photo of the seller with the car in 1984
- MOT valid until 10 August 2027
- Small note on the certificate indicating a discrepancy in the front brake service
Summary of the restoration completed in 2023:
- Chassis sandblasted and powder-coated
- Overhaul of the engine:
- Piston rings
- Headwork by Politecnic
- Water pump
- Oil pump
- Restored Weber 45 DCOE carburettors
- Electronic ignition 123
- Stainless steel exhaust
- Gearbox and clutch revised
- Suspension overhaul:
- Original De Carbon shock absorbers rebuilt by Valet in Sainte-Maxime
- Polyurethane bushings
- Polyurethane bushings
- Wheel bearings
- Prop shaft
- Master cylinders for brakes and clutch replaced
- New alternator
- Replacement starter motor
- Heated windscreen as per original
- Bodywork entirely restored with paint matched to the original Montebello Grey
- Interior fully restored by a Scellier :
- New leather upholstery
- Red fabric refreshed
- New red carpets
The seller says
“The front end comes from an Alpine V6 as in 1981 I had a small prang. A car cut across my path and tore away the front end, including the lighting loom, indicators and grille. Unfortunately, the wait for replacement parts for a four-cylinder like mine was very long, whereas V6 parts were available. The workshop suggested installing the V6 front end at the time, I agreed, and today I regret that decision, but if someone wants to restore it to its original state, they can, because the parts are available.”
