1973 Renault-Alpine A110

In the early 1950s, French competition cars were few and far between and it was left to a young French engineer to redress the balance. Jean Rédélé, whose father ran a Renault dealership in Dieppe, initially used a modified Renault 4CV in a variety of events and rallies. His endeavours being rewarded with a Coupe des Alpes in 1950 and three 750cc class wins in the 1952-54 Mille Miglias. It was then that Rédélé decided to build his own cars, appropriately choosing Alpine as the marque name. Société des Automobiles Alpine was duly formed in 1955 with the A106 as the first model, it used modified Renault 4CV running gear. The following year Maurice Michy driving an A106 won its class in the Mille Miglia.

Variants with up to 950cc engines followed - a steel-bodied A107 was dropped - before the A108 of 1957. It was 1963, however, when the most familiar body style appeared in the form of the Renault R8-based A110 which used 1,100 to 1,800cc engines during 15 years of production. It also cemented an enviable competition record, with its rear engine layout which was a major advantage in international rallying. Such was its success that the Dieppe company became Renault's official competition arm in 1971, when Alpine repeated its 1969 feat of a 1-2-3 in the Coupe des Alpes. Then in 1973 the 170bhp A110 went on to win the inaugural season of The FIA Manufacturers World Rally Championship. Between 1973-1978 The World Rally Championship was for manufacturers rather than drivers.

This left-hand drive 1973 Renault Alpine A110 is a Spanish built example that has covered what is believed to be a believed genuine 98,000 kilometres from new. The Fabrica Automobile Societa Anonyma or F.A.S.A were a tuning company that were licensed to build Renault motorcars for the Spanish market. They used their motorsport facilities to tune Alpines with Renault supplied components and gained a reputation for excellent limited edition models with a strong racing emphasis.

According the original F.A.S.A Renault bill of sale, dated 3rd August 1974, chassis number BA-0664 was delivered new to a Dr Frederico Rubio of Madrid. Additional period Spanish paperwork includes a registration document, correspondence between the first owner and his local garage, original Alpine owner's manual and many other official documents.

More recently, this Alpine has been comprehensively restored in Spain by the last owner and was finished to fast road/rally specification. The 1300cc engine pulls well and sounds fantastic at high revs. Uprated brakes enable decent stopping ability and period bucket seats provide superb support when attacking corners.

Spares include the original chrome trim, original seats, additional pair of bucket seats, leather 'Alpine' steering wheel, original Spanish wheels and car cover. Supplied with an MOT test certificate, bills for recent works, Xenon headlights, 4 point harnesses and French Alpine wheels, this stunning little car is finished in a most evocative 1970s 'Rallye de Corse' livery and is the perfect entrant to any number of European rallies, events and tours.