|
Renault Alpine A110
|
1963 - 1973 |
Country: |
|
Engine: |
4 cyl. Rear Engined |
Capacity: |
1565 cc |
Power: |
138 bhp |
Transmission: |
4 spd. man |
Top Speed: |
134 mph |
Number Built: |
8,203 |
Collectability: |
|
|
Alpine started life in 1957 - then being
a tiny French sports car specialist. The most successful
model came in 1963 and was known as the Alpine A110.
This
car had a tubular spaceframe chassis and a rear-mounted
engine (being provided by local car manufacturer Renault.
The four-pot engine originally displaced 998 cc., but
was soon enlarged to 1300 cc in 1969.
But it was when
Renault put a modified 1600cc engine borrowed from the
R16 that the Alpine became a world beater, taking the
first 3 places in Monte Carlo Rally in 1971 and World
Rally Championships in 1971 and 1973.
Compared with its main rival, the Porsche 911, the Alpine
A110 was a lot lighter because of the compact body that
was made of glass-fibre.
Although the engine was less
powerful, its nimble handling made it better the 911 in
rally races. |