Highlights

Tidy and eye-catching yellow 85 with rally-inspired interior
Restored prior to the current owner's purchase in 2023
UK-registered car
Brake callipers replaced during current ownership
1,300cc engine with four-speed manual transmission
Maintained by specialist Allan Collins and serviced in March 2026

The Appeal

Germany had the 911, France the A110. Until recently, this brilliant, beautifully balanced rear-engined 700kg rocketship tended to be a hidden gem, but the resurgence first of the modern A110 and more recently of the Alpine brand has changed all that.

The original A110 was available in a huge range of specifications and with different engines during its life. That can be confusing to the uninitiated. This car is one of the 2,890 1300cc cars built between 1970 and 1976, fitted with the revvy R12 81bhp engine and variously known as the 85 or 1300.

We understand that this March 1973-built car arrived in the UK in 2015 after time spent in Italy. Since its arrival, it has been restored, reportedly by specialist Quest Brothers, and lightly upgraded to rally specification. It is fitted with bucket seats, Securon harnesses, a fire extinguisher, and other competition items, as shown in the photos. In recent years, the car has been looked after by specialist Alan Collins, with the most recent service in March 2026. We are told that the brake callipers have been replaced recently. The car is naturally MOT exempt, but a useful 2023 test provides buyers with some extra transparency.

The Jaune paintwork and the fibreglass bodywork are tidy and presentable, with scope for the buyer to improve if needed. The exterior is neatly detailed with a set of stylish Alpine alloys shod with quality Pirelli rubber. This is a very tidy A110 that is said to be properly sorted and, as such, would be perfect for some classic events or solo touring.

The vendor says:

“Good mechanical condition. Regularly checked over and maintained by reputable mechanics. Lovely to drive. A lot of fun!”

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1973
Factory built in March 1973 (not verified)
UK registered on plate SCW 451L
First UK registered 2015
Three registered UK keepers
Current keeper since May 2023
Restored prior to the current keeper's purchase
Odometer shows 54,500 kilometres, believed to be correct (not warranted)
MOT exempt with recent test valid to April 2024 with no advisories
Regularly checked over and maintained by reputable mechanics we are told
Brake calipers replaced during current ownership
V5C
Factory handbooks as shown
Service book as shown
Reported to have been restored by Quest Brothers since arriving in the UK (unverified)
Believed to have spent time in Italy prior to arriving in the UK, but not confirmed

Recent service history (further details in photos):

03/26 - 54,040 km - Alan Collins
04/24 - 54,040 km - Alan Collins

The Condition

Older restoration in Yellow/Jaune with generally well-kept paintwork
Some touched in areas, chips and other marks to note to paintwork
Bodywork appears presentable with some cracks and starbursts to note
Exterior chromework in fair condition with some tarnish to note to fittings
Fitted with period corect five spoke 13in Alpine alloys with a matching spare
Road wheels show some kerbing and marks to rims as shown in photos
Fitted with matching Pirelli branded tyres to all five rims
Underside as shown with no structural advisories on last MOT in 2023
Upgraded rally-inspired interior with some original features retained
Pretty Veglia green dials in good order with KPH speedo
Black leather and suede bucket front seats in good condition with Securon harnesses
Black carpets showing some sun fade to rear areas as shown
Fitted with ignition cut off, starter button and fire extinguisher
Three-spoke leather-rimmed Moto Lita steering wheel
Some age to note to beige headlining as shown in photos

This car’s eye-catching ‘Jaune’ paintwork is the result of an older restoration, reportedly by Quest Brothers, since it arrived in the UK in 2015. That work is said to have included the upgrades to rally-inspired specification.

The car remains in good order, with a few cosmetic points to note outside including paint, body and chrome elements. Inside, there is a smart pair of buckets with a purposeful set of Securon harnesses.

The Mechanics

R12 81bhp 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine
Four-speed manual transmission
The vendor reports good mechanical condition
Recent servicing by classic car specialist as above
Callipers recently replaced we are told
Regularly checked by experts according to the seller

Ferdinand Porsche had the same idea about lightness and power, but the A110 takes things a big step further than the contemporary 911. By 1973, the Porsche weighed in at portly 1,100kg compared to the A110’s featherweight 700kg. Alpine’s dainty car didn’t need a big engine to go quickly, which is why this 1973 ‘85’ makes do with the R12 1.3L powerplant. It’s good for 81bhp, so it isn’t a surprise to learn that the vendor describes this car as ‘a lot of fun.’

The car has been little used since the vendor acquired it in 2023. Nevertheless, it has been entrusted to specialist Alan Collins for servicing, most recently in March 2026. We’re told that the callipers have also been replaced since purchase.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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