Alpine A110 1962 to 1973 - Road and Racing version
Following in the tire tracks of the venerable A106 and A108, the A110 was also part of the fruitful partnership between Renault and Alpine, a guarantee of quality for enthusiasts and a promise of victory in competitions the world over.
The Alpine A110 was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1962. The new vehicle featured the steel backbone frame, glass-fiber polyester bodywork and offset rear-mounted engine of its illustrious predecessor. It also used parts from Renault production models, particularly the R8. It was thus a powerful and efficient model, featuring all the improvements made to Alpine models over the years. The Alpine A110 did, however, feature one innovation: the 4-cylinder Renault engine with 5 bearings. To make room for it, the rear end of the vehicle had to be made bigger. This gave the A110 an “aggressive” style that remained its hallmark.
The A110 made its mark in international events right from its debut.
The original Alpine A110 was propelled by a 1300 cc engine later substituted by a 1600 cc unit. A 1969 Renault Alpine A110 1600 was sold at 66.700 Euros during Artcurial Auction during the Retromobile 2012 in Paris, France.
The Berlinette Alpine A110 in motorsport
The light weight and handling qualities of the Berlinette meant it was perfectly suited for motorsport. As well as being fun to drive, the cars were favourites with the fans, who often saw them cornering hard at lurid angles. It's almost impossible to catalogue every motorsport triumph for the Berlinette, but these are the main stages of the adventure.
1961-1968: the early successes
José Rosinski took the first win for the A110 at the 1963 Rallye des Lions. The remainder of the season followed this trend, with exploits including a win for Jacques Cheinisse on the Rallye d'Automne.
In the years that followed, a number of 'privateer' drivers achieved success at national and international level ahead of much more powerful cars from well-established brands.
- 1967: assembling a great team
Alpine became Alpine-Renault. New drivers joined the line-up: Gérard Larrousse, Jean-Claude Andruet and Jean-Pierre Nicolas in the works team, but also, among others, Bernard Darniche in the privateer ranks.
- 1968: the first French Rally Championship title
After victories on the Neige et Glace and Rallye de Lorraine for Gérard Larousse, Jean-Claude Andruet claimed the French title thanks to a total score of four wins during the season.
1969: Hitting its stride
Jean Vinatier and Jean-Claude Andruet were the stars of the season, with the former going on to become the French Rally Champion at the end of the year.
1970: European and French titles
The Berlinette 1600S was homologated for Group 4, which finally allowed the car to fight on
almost equal terms with more powerful competitors. Jean-Claude Andruet, who had calmed his approach after several notable incidents, was crowned French and European Champion.
1971: The Berlinette dominates the Rallye Monte-Carlo
Another good year. Ove Andersson won the Rallye Monte-Carlo. Thérier finished second and Andruet third. Andersson also took the win in Italy against the flotilla of Fiats and Lancias
dispatched to beat him. He subsequently triumphed on the Austrian Alpine Rally and on the Acropolis, securing the international title for 11 Alpine. Jean-Pierre Nicolas won the French Championship.
1972: Heading for glory
The 1,600cc engine was replaced by a more powerful 1,800cc unit. Jean-Claude Andruet dominated the Tour de Corse. Numerous wins followed, shared between the team's drivers.
Darniche was crowned French Champion at the end of the year, while Jean-Luc Thérier claimed the Rallye des Cévennes driving a turbocharged 1,600cc version. This was the first stirrings of a technology destined for major success...
1973: The climax of an era
Just imagine the best French drivers of the era: Andruet, Darniche, Thérier, Nicolas and Piot ably supported by the experienced Andersson. What's more, a team of mechanics giving their heart and soul, plus a car at the peak of its development. The season began with victory for Andruet on the Rallye Monte-Carlo, followed home by four other Alpines. In Portugal, Thérier and Nicolas scored a one-two. On the Rallye du Maroc, Darniche was unbeatable. And the rest of the season followed the same trend. Alpine won the inaugural World Rally Championship title and Jean-Luc Thérier was crowned French Champion.
1974 – 1975: the end of the works era
Nicolas won the Rallye du Maroc and finished second on the Tour de Corse. This was the Berlinette's swansong, and the year produced the last major win for the A110 on the Critérium des Cévennes, driven by Jacques Henry.
Wallpapers : Alpine A110 1962
Related reviews :
|
