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This is a very nice late Alpine, fully prepared for Historic Rallying, UK Registered and comes with FIVA Identity Card. It is the perfect spec in being one of the very last Dieppe built cars made and also being a genuine 1600SX, not an upgraded 1300.

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 Redele, 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 Coup© des Alpes in 1950 and three 750cc class wins in the 1952-54 Mille Miglias. It was then that Redele decided to build his own cars, appropriately choosing Alpine as the marque name.

Societe Automobiles Alpine was duly formed in 1955 with the A106 as the first model using modified Renault 4CV running gear. The following year an A106 won its class in the Mille Miglia; notably a Sport model was to join the line-up in 1959 using Alpine's first tubular backbone chassis. 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, its rear engine layout a major advantage in international rallying. Such was its success that the Dieppe concern became Renault's official competition arm in 1971, when Alpine repeated its 1969 feat of a 1-2-3 in the Coupes des Alpes; in 1973 a 170bhp A110 also won the World Rally Championship and the following year Renault took control.

Interior:

The Black interior is in a good useable condition but not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. You have two occasional seats in the back and a luggage platform. The seats are firm with no rips or tears and all the dials and guages work as they should. A superb period cabin which could be tidied or just enjoyed as is. There are many extras fitted for rallying and all the fuseboxes are placed handily in the front.

Exterior:

The body is, of course, glassfibre and really the paint finish is very good although there are some scuffs and dings and scratches as you would expect from a well used example. The wheels are the standard Alpine items and the tyres are all good. All the glass area is also good.

Mechanical:

The engine bay and engine are nearly spotless and the car starts and drives exactly as it should. There is nothing that needs addressing and the car has always been fastidiously maintained. The car was completely restored in the late nineties and engine and gearbox were rebuilt, it is ready for competition. It will come with a new MOT and is registered in the UK but can be registered anywhere with little effort.

Summary:

Our car is a very nice example that has been with the previous owner for over 11 years. Whether you are looking to go historic racing or, like me, have always wanted one as a daily driver, you will not be disapponted in the A110 or in this particular car. It is simply the coolest car on the roads today! These cars have an amazing pedigree in competition and after a quick drive it is immediately obvious you are in a well developed machine. The car is a perfect competitive entry to many historic events and. It is rare to find a good French Alpine at the moment and the car presents very honestly. Ownership of an Alpine is a very exclusive club and you will know why after 5 mins behind the wheel! Be Different!