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Padova Finarte / Collector Cars

Friday 25 October 2019, 02:30 PM • Padua

38

1971 Alpine Renault Alpine Renault A110 1600 S (Renault)

chassis no. A110.1600.17290 - engine no. 11075

Estimate

€ 130.000 - 150.000

Sold

€ 139.764

The price includes buyer's premium

Information

  • Thoroughly preserved.
  • Mechanics completely overhauled.
  • Perfect for rallye-meetings.
  • Fun to drive.
  • The most powerful street engine.

Attestations and Certificates
FIVA, ASI, fiche CSAI, ''Descriptif de Vehicule'' issued by Société des Automobiles Alpine Renault.
Documents
Italian registration and plates in order.
Eligibility
Giro di Sicilia. Eligible.
Targa Florio. Eligible.
Goodwood Revival. Eligible.
Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. Eligible.
Tour Auto. Eligible.
Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti. Eligible.
Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia. Eligible.
Winter Marathon. Eligible.
Nürburgring Classic. Eligible.
Campionato Italiano Regolarità Auto Storiche. Eligible.
FIA Historic Regularity Rallies. Eligible.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Eligible.
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Eligible.
Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille. Eligible.
Concorso d’eleganza Villa D’Este. Eligible.

Provenance

The model
The Alpine Renault A110 was a French “berlinetta” (little saloon), produced in various versions in between 1963 and 1977. Alpine, presented the car in Paris in 1962 and produced it from 1963 in its berlinetta, coupé and cabriolet versions. From the 1970s only the berlinetta model was made. The little Société Anonyme des Automobiles Alpine, known as Alpine, was founded by Jean Rédélé, a Renault car dealer in Dieppe, and skilled racing specialist of the Renault cars. Later, Renault itself bought the brand, using it for its sports models and after a period suspended in time, relaunching it in 2017, with a new A110. The original Alpine Renault A110 is the evolution of the previous A108 designed by Giovanni Michelotti, with new exciting details by Serge Zuliani: a more sporting rear and faired headlights on the front. The engine itself was, above all, the great novelty of the new berlinetta, keeping the Alpine mechanical setting unchanged, with the rear cantilevered engine. The 958 cc 4-cylinder engine came from Renault’s series production; indeed, it was mounted on the Floride S, Caravelle and R8 models (with whom the A110 also "shared" the brakes), but in the A110 it was more powerful. Its 55 hp managed to push the car to a good 160 km/h. The lightness of the car allowed for its exceptional performances - for this particular project, in fact, the company chose a steel load-bearing structure with a central backbone, with auxiliary front and rear sub-frames, while the body panels were in fibreglass riveted to the frame through a process of aeronautical derivation. Thanks to these choices, the car’s dry weight was of only 610 kg - of which only 40 Kg were of the bearing structure - guaranteeing a very favourable weight to power ratio. The damping setting was peculiar too, back suspensions with a double shock absorber and a negative camber to counteract the typical power oversteering. The first racing version of the A110 featured an engine heavily tuned by specialist Marc Mignotet and was immediately successful, convincing Renault to invest in the development of the car. Therefore, the Alpine could use any mechanical part from Renault’s production and adapt it to its vehicles. The A110 over the years adopted tuned engines of ever-increasing power: from the 1300s to the 1600s, the largest ever mounted on its road version, later fitted with electronic injection. The A110 maintained anyway its “featherweight,” reaching 810 kg of maximum weight. In competitions, especially in the Rallies, the berlinetta won numerous relevant titles and races, including the first place at the Rally of Monte-Carlo in 1971 – won by its 1600 cc version - a race concluded with a "double-win" of the official Alpine team. Among the A110 victories, we also count the International Constructors' Championship in 1971 and the World Rally Championship in 1973. In its racing versions, the A110 was fitted with the most powerful engines: the 1800 cc GR.4 version reached up to 185 hp. In 1977, the A110 went off the line, 7160 units were produced overall.
The Car
The Alpine Renault A110 - chassis no. A110.1600.17290 - is the 1600 S version, with its 1565 cc engine, born for the Renault 16 TS and then tuned and shared with other sports cars: from the Alpine A310 to the Lotus Europa. Thanks to the Alpine and Gordini specialists, this car reaches 125 hp, feed by two huge Weber 45 DCOE double-barrel carburettors and is the most powerful version of the A110s for road use. The car is very light - it weighs only 710 kg - allowing it to reach 215 km/h. The power of the 1600 S, combined with the agile behaviour and a sporty setting, developed in racing experiences, guarantees thrilling performances and a fun and rewarding driving experience. The proposed car has only travelled 62,000 km and is excellently preserved: the previous owners had the originality and preservation of their vehicle at heart, as demonstrated the body colour, the “flagship” classic Alpine blue enhanced by a slight patina of time. The thin bonnet lids and doors open and close swiftly, the tank is not leaking and is scrupulously clean. Even the interiors are remarkably well preserved and - not having the "usine" type of seats - the comfort level of the passenger compartment allows enjoying the car, willingly giving up the trailer. On the inside, the 70s style sunshades are quite notable. Another proof of the meticulous conservation is indeed the engine, still equipped with its original air filter - while several A110s usually fit sporty inlet velocity stacks. On the mechanical side, Pier Luigi Reghitto of Alessandria, Alpine specialist and milestone for all those who race with the A110 in regularity and historical rallies, carried out an outstanding overhaul and tuning work. The overhaul included the engine, gearbox, clutch, brakes, exhaust, and the heating and ventilation system. Recently, the owners replaced the tires with the correct original ones, as for age and type: Michelin XAS 165-13. The car has never participated in any competition and has never been set up for racing. The only changes were due to practicality: the power-off switcher, located in the front bonnet and the electric fuel pump. The car has been published in several magazines over the years, for its originality and beauty: the last article, featured in “La Manovella,” portrays the car together with the “new” 2017 A110. The A110.1600.17290 presents a ''Descriptif de Vehicule'' issued by Société des Automobiles Alpine Renault, Dieppe and is ASI - FIVA homologated and has Fiche Csai. It is one of the most enjoyable cars eligible to participate in historical Rally re-enactments including the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. This car adapts perfectly to all the road surfaces, especially to the slippery ones. Welcome in the historical Regularity races, in recent years finds more and more welcome in the Concours d’elegance.
State of the Art
Preserved and in excellent condition.

Exhibition



Literature

  • Christian Vella, 1973, Alpine Champion du monde, Editions du Palmier, France 2013.
  • Enguerrand Lecesne, Alpine Berlinette, L'icône des années bleues, Etai, France 2012.
  • Bernard Sara, Alpine, La passion bleue, Etai, France 2017.