Conventional wisdom has it that the Golf GTI Mk1 was the first compact sports car. French enthusiasts know that this is not entirely true. In the same month of the same year - June 1976 - France launched a rival: the Renault 5 Alpine.
The new car borrowed a 1.4-litre engine from Spanish subsidiary FASA with a revised cylinder head and pistons to increase power from 70bhp to 93bhp. It was then fitted into a lightweight 840kg Renault 5 body by Alpine and assembled alongside the firm's classic A110 and A310 models. Unavoidable spoilers and alloy wheels differentiated the Alpine from the cheaper Renault 5s, but the real indicator was the '45' sticker referring to the twin Weber 45 carburettors feeding the engine.
A supercharged version would arrive later, leading to the naming of these early cars as naturally aspirated 'Atmospheric' cars.
These revolutionary models are as exciting as they are rare today. This car spent much of its life in Italy before being acquired by the vendor and repatriated to France last year. It was fully restored by its previous owner, a mechanical engineer. The work included the bodywork and the mechanicals - the engine was completely rebuilt to Group 2 specifications, achieving 110 bhp.
With a MOT certificate valid until October 2025, this is probably one of the best surviving examples of this brilliant and distinctive compact sports car. Not to be missed.
History and Documents
1981 model from the last year of production
Car registered in France
Acquired by the vendor in September 2023 in Italy
Restored in 2015 by the previous owner, a mechanical engineer
The seller indicates that some parts fitted by the previous owner were made to measure
Photographic file of the restoration
Current MOT valid until 26 October 2025
Seller states two previous Italian owners and one previous Slovenian owner
Renault conformity import document
Certificate of registration
Original R1223 plates confirm this is a genuine factory Alpine
Appraisal document dated November 2023 inclusive
Condition
Body restored in silver metallic with correct Alpine accessories
Repainted in 2015 and ceramic paint treatment in 2022
Bodywork in very good condition with only minor points to note on photos
Mounted on new Alpine Turbo alloy wheels in excellent condition
Toyo quality tyres fitted all round
Very well maintained interior, reworked in leather on seats and door panels
Unmodified interior with undamaged trim and good instrumentation
Newer steering wheel fitted and original steering wheel supplied with car
Clean roof with no visible marks
Seller advises that the seat rail on one side needs replacing, parts supplied
Renault's facelift of its original hatchback was clever. The classic Renault 5 profile has been slightly enhanced with wider wheels, discreet spoilers and stylish decals. This car retains all these classic features and looks great in metallic silver. This is largely due to the full 2015 restoration, which has held up exceptionally well.
The interior has been reworked in leather on the doors and seats and is pleasantly unmodified otherwise. A newer steering wheel is fitted but the original is supplied with the car.
Mechanicals
1,397 cm3 engine rebuilt to Group 2 specification producing 110 bhp
Original Weber 45 carburettors that have been professionally tuned
Dyno certificate verifying 110 bhp
Ignition, steering and brakes revised during restoration
Suspension slightly lowered
Rebuilt 5-speed gearbox
Upgraded specification includes:
Group 2 intake manifold
4 in 1 exhaust manifold
Alpine Turbo dry sump with side oil drain
Alpine Turbo exhaust system
Lighter steering wheel
Front and rear disc brakes
KONI oil dampers
The appeal of the original Alpine 'Atmosphérique' lies in the fact that the standard factory car is very good, but modifications are easily possible. It combined the 1.4-litre FASA engine and twin Weber carburettors with a flowing R16 TX gearbox to deliver an engaging compact sports car full of character.
The engine and gearbox on this car are said to be original and were completely rebuilt by the previous owner circa 2015. The engine has been carefully upgraded to Group 2 specification, confirmed by a dyno report, now providing 110bhp - a significant increase on the 93bhp of the standard car.
Other improvements are listed above. All take advantage of the opportunities presented by the later Turbo model to offer buyers an enhanced compact sports car in a stylish and respectful way. An independent inspection in November 2023 and a MOT in the same month offer further assurance that this car is well maintained and in excellent health.
PRIMA DI ACQUISTARE
Questa vendita è soggetta ai Termini e Condizioni di Car & Classic. Facendo un'offerta, accetti anche quanto segue:
✓S e il venditore è registrato come venditore privato, ma non si applica ai consumatori che derivano dalla tutela dei consumatori dell'UE. Si applica la politica di restituzione di Car & Classic.
✓ In caso di aggiudicazione dell'asta o di accettazione della tua offerta, dovrai versare un deposito cauzionale non rimborsabile; fai riferimento alle Domande frequenti e ai Termini e Condizioni per conoscere le tariffe specifiche.
✓ Questo veicolo è "tale quale", su base "così com'è dove è" e senza garanzia. Si raccomanda fortemente di effettuare un'ispezione completa del veicolo prima dell'acquisto. Le foto e le descrizioni sono solo a scopo indicativo.
✓ L'IVA è inclusa nel deposito dell'acquirente. L'IVA può essere inclusa o esclusa nel prezzo finale dell'offerta, come specificato nell'annuncio.
✓ Gli acquirenti sono responsabili del ritiro o della consegna del veicolo. L'importazione di veicoli può comportare l'applicazione di ulteriori dazi doganali e tasse di importazione. On request, Car & Classic can indicate a third party shipping company. For further details, please send an e-mail to auctions@carandclassic.com. Prices start from € 150 + IVA within the same country or € 400 + IVA for cross-border journeys.
