1972 Alpine A110 1300VC (V85) Berlinette

Perhaps the most celebrated Alpine-Renault ever produced was the A110, introduced in 1962 as the replacement to the Dauphine-based A108. The A110 experienced a remarkable evolution in terms of power output throughout its production years, utilising a succession of Renault engines and related mechanicals. The model proved to be highly successful in rallying and, in 1969, A110s swept the top three positions in the Coupe des Alpes and one finished third in the Rallye Monte Carlo in both 1969 and 1970. The Alpine-Renault's competition record continued to improve throughout the following years, winning the World Rally Championship in 1971 and 1973.

The 'Version 85' of the A110 was marketed by the company as an entry-level model when it was first introduced in 1970. Sourced from the Renault 12, the 1,300cc four-cylinder engine produced a credible 81bhp and, with a curb weight of just 700kg, the little Alpine was good for over 110mph and highly exciting to drive. The V85 had been renamed the '1300' by the time the model was discontinued in 1976, at which point some 2,890 examples had been produced over the model's six-year production run.

The car presented here is a Dieppe-built 1972 Alpine A110 1300 VC (V85) 'Berlinette' or Coupé. It's on offer from a vendor who is extremely well-informed about 'everything A110', owning another example - an ex-works car, no less. Due to his knowledge and enthusiasm for the marque, he was informed of this car, chassis #12943, found slumbering in a barn and wearing registration OAB 139K. Apparently, it was first registered in the UK in August 1997 and the final recorded MOT was dated 30th July 1999.

It was rediscovered in a sort of 'Targa-spec', having possibly been campaigned in some way, but hadn’t turned a wheel in over 20 years. An old Certificat d'Assurance and tax disc affixed to its windscreen suggest it was still being used (wearing registration 6114 TJ 95) in 1997-98 (so just prior to it coming to the UK) in the Val-d'Oise Département, located just north of Paris (this is further confirmed by an accompanying 1995 invoice made out to an owner in Bezons). Seeing the car's inherent quality and state of preservation, our vendor bought it and set about having it fully recommissioned, new suspension, painted and properly set up on a rolling road, spending c.£25,000 in the process. The attention to detail has been exacting - it was hard not to be with his love of Alpines - and the end result certainly shows this.

Alpines, because of their rallying credentials, are often evolved over the years by owners for competition (or semi-competition) activities and interestingly this car's engine appears to be the rarer Gordini 1.3-litre 4-pot (with a special head, early Italian Weber carburettors, and an original/rare coil and distributor) giving a very healthy 110bhp (see photo of engine tag), paired with a 5-speed gearbox, all very desirable features for an A110, and confirmed by our vendor’s knowledgeable mechanic.

Overall, this is a rare and desirable car, on offer from a real marque expert and is an exciting opportunity for its new owner to write the next chapter in the story of #12943.