Lot 304: 1971 Alpine-Renault A110VB Group 3 Competition Client

During the 1950s the mighty Regie Renault was open to a relationship with a small specialist sports-oriented car company in the manner of the rival Simca concern’s relationship with Amedée Gordini. An engineer named Jean Redelé was selected with his company, the Société Automobiles Alpine. Redelé had competed in the Alpine Rally and the Mille Miglia in a humble but modified Renault 4CV saloon and his first Alpine was a glassfibre bodied coupé styled by Michelotti and based upon a Renault 4CV floorpan with 5-speed gearbox. A steel-bodied variant of this little car – the Alpine A107 – entered production at Dieppe, and specification of Alpine cars kept pace with new Renault developments, including a post-Simca era link with Gordini and his tuned versions of Renault production power units.

In 1963 the new Alpine-Renault A110 Berlinette was launched, initially with an 1108cc 87bhp Renault R8 engine. The A110 was a considerable success and, by the time production finally ceased in 1977, the chassis/ body units were accepting a full 180bhp, with high performance to match their agile handling and very light weight.

These cars were particularly successful in the small-capacity classes of International endurance racing and in tarmac road rallies at all levels. In 1971 works Alpine-Renault driver Jean-Claude Andruet became European Rally Champion behind the wheel of one of these formidably fast rally cars, and Alpine-Renault won the World Rally Championship for Makes in both 1971 – when it was still the ‘International Championship’ – and 1973.

This particular A110VB Group 3 Competition Client (customer racing) Berlinette was completed by the Dieppe factory on April 1, 1971, and it is offered here with a certificate of authenticity from Alpine-Renault dated 1990. The first owner retained the car until 1984, when it was sold to one Henri Imbert, and from him to the present owner in 1985.

It was fully restored in 1990 by the specialist Polymeca company in France and a file of invoices is available for inspection, covering the restoration period and miscellaneous other servicing procedures. The car is equipped with an ‘Auto Bleu’ exhaust system and its specification includes induction by two twin-choke Weber 45DCO carburettors, a large competition fuel tank, fire extinguisher, Isodelta steering wheel, bucket seats upholstered in leatherette/ black cloth and matching carpets.

This most appealing small-capacity French racing GT car of renown has competed in the 2003 Historic Tour of Corsica event and on the twisty island roads it proved itself competitive against Porsche 3.0 RSRs. French registered, it is considered to be in very good shape overall and promises a new owner some really entertaining sporting motoring.

Cette Alpine A110VB Groupe 3’ Compétition Client, terminée par l’usine de Dieppe le 1er avril 1971, est offerte avec un certificat d’authenticité par Alpine-Renault datant de 1990. Le premier propriétaire conserva cette Alpine jusqu’en 1984 pour la vendre à Mr. Henri Imbert avant que l’actuel vendeur ne s’en porte acquéreur en 1984.

Cette Berlinette, entièrement restaurée (factures disponibles) par le spécialiste Polymeca, est toujours équipée de son échappement ‘Auto Bleu’, de deux carburateurs double-corps Weber 45DCO, du ‘gros’ réservoir d’essence, d’extincteurs, d’un volant Isodelta, de sièges bacquets en simili-cuir et tissu noir avec moquettes assorties.

Cette célèbre petite GT française a participé au Tour de Corse Historique en 2003 tenant la dragée haute aux Porsche RSR 3.0L dans les parties sinueuses. Ce modèle immatriculé en France est en très bon état général.