Renault Alpine A108 blue 1960 in 1/43 scale: a miniature for enthusiasts of French cars
This blue Alpine A108 miniature reproduces one of the most endearing sports cars from Jean Rédélé's workshop in Dieppe. Presented in a rectangular box, it pays tribute to a small polyester coupé with low lines, born in the late 1950s and become a symbol of post-war French automotive craftsmanship.
For collectors, the Alpine A108 miniature holds a special place. It evokes a period when independent manufacturers built sports cars from mass-production mechanics, with an energy that left a lasting mark on the rally and endurance racing scene. It fits naturally into a collection of French model cars or models from the 1960s.
Model features
- Model: Alpine A108 (Renault Alpine A108)
- Brand: Alpine, Renault's sporting subsidiary
- Year: 1960
- Scale: 1/43
- Colour: blue
- Protective box included: Yes
The real car: the Alpine A108
The A108 succeeded the A106, the brand's first creation launched in 1955. Jean Rédélé, a Renault dealer in Dieppe and passionate driver, wanted to offer a light and high-performing car capable of competing with the Italian and German productions of the time. The principle was simple: dress a Renault mechanical base in a polyester body, lighter and more aerodynamic than steel, and entrust assembly to a small number of specialists.
Technically, the A108 kept a compact rear-engine layout, inherited from Renault's philosophy of the era. The tubular chassis and the fibreglass-reinforced plastic body offered a limited weight, which favoured roadholding and agility in corners. The low profile, round headlights and very taut proportions gave an instantly recognisable silhouette, which the miniature faithfully reproduces in this characteristic blue.
Commercially, the A108 never reached the volumes of the great popular saloons, but it helped build the brand's reputation. Its results in rallying and hill climbs won over a clientele of enthusiasts, and it paved the way for the models that followed, notably the A110 which became an icon of competition.
History of the Alpine brand
Before becoming a manufacturer in its own right, Alpine was born from a personal ambition. Jean Rédélé, born in the 1920s, began by preparing Renault 4CVs for competition. His successes in the Alpine rallies, which gave the brand its name, drew attention and led him to design his own sports cars based on the Renault mechanical base. The post-war context was favourable: France was rediscovering the pleasure of the open road, and regional and international events were multiplying.
Over the years, the small Dieppe company gained renown. Alpines stood out in regularity trials, rallies and endurance races, sometimes winning their class, sometimes facing far better-funded rivals. This competition presence forged an image of accessible sportiness that set the brand apart from the large generalist manufacturers.
In 1973, Renault took over the Alpine structure and made it one of its sporting departments. The brand thus continued its history within the group, through the successes of the A110 in rallying and the glory days of French competition. Today, Alpines remain highly sought after, and their heritage fuels the interest of many collectors in original models as well as their reproductions.
Anecdote: a name born on the roads of the Alps
The name Alpine has nothing of a marketing choice. It recalls the Alpine rallies that Jean Rédélé competed in at the wheel of his own preparations. At a time when motor racing served as a showcase for manufacturers, every success on snowy mountain passes or on the winding roads of south-eastern France was worth far more publicity than any poster campaign.
This link between road, competition and engineering reflects the spirit of the era. The 1950s and 1960s saw a rise in artisanal sports cars, often produced in small series by enthusiasts who had in mind the races at Le Mans or the great international rallies. The Alpine embodies a moment when a provincial garage owner could challenge the big teams, relying on ingenuity rather than resources.
The stories told about these models often speak of tinkering, nights spent adjusting an engine and long journeys to reach the events. This mix of resourcefulness and passion partly explains the lasting attachment of enthusiasts to the brand, which continues to inspire well beyond the circle of insiders.
For a collector, having a blue Alpine A108 miniature in a display case is also a way to keep a trace of that era when the French sports car was written in artisanal letters, far from large industrial plans.
Complete your Alpine miniature collection
In the world of 1/43 scale miniatures, the Alpine A108 miniature stands out as a characterful piece. Its compact size and understated finish make it easy to display, whether in a themed case or alongside other models from the same period. It naturally complements the pieces devoted to Alpine Renault cars, and sits well with models of the Renault brand from which it originates.
To complete this set, enthusiasts of competition may turn to racing and competition model cars, or to sports coupés that share the same spirit. Lovers of exceptional bodywork will also find their match in the classic models from 1950-1979, which allow a complete era to be recreated.
This miniature is aimed first at collectors of French models and enthusiasts of automotive history, but also at rally fans who know the importance of Alpine in the annals of the discipline. It also suits those looking for a standard-scale piece to build a coherent collection in the 1/43 scale format. A fine opportunity to bring a small part of French sports car history into your display.
