The 1960 Renault Alpine A108 Tour de France in white livery proudly displays the number 122, testifying to a heroic era in French motoring. This 1:43 scale model car accurately captures the essence of this legendary berlinetta that marked Alpine's auspicious debut on the competition roads.
This faithful reproduction is a must-have for any collector passionate about French automotive history and sports vehicles from the 1960s. It perfectly embodies the pioneering spirit of Jean Rédélé and his dream of creating French sports cars capable of competing with the best Europeans.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Alpine A108 Tour de France
- Brand: Renault Alpine
- Year: 1960
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: White with number 122
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Protective case included: Yes
The original model: birth of a legend
The Alpine A108 was born in 1958 in the Dieppe workshops, the fruit of Jean Rédélé's passion for cars. This revolutionary berlinetta for the time adopted a laminated polyester body mounted on a modified Renault 4CV chassis, thus creating a perfect marriage between lightness and performance .
Equipped with the 845cc Dauphine Gordini engine developing 40 horsepower, the A108 boasts a featherweight weight of just 550 kg. This configuration allows it to reach 140 km/h, remarkable performance for a car of this displacement. Its elegant and aerodynamic line, designed by Giovanni Michelotti, already announces the timeless style that will characterize the entire Alpine range.
Commercial success was immediate: Alpine produced 251 examples of the A108 between 1958 and 1963, laying the solid foundations of what would become one of the most respected brands in French motorsport.
Alpine: the French motorsport adventure
In 1960, Alpine was still in its infancy but already had European ambitions . Jean Rédélé, a former Renault dealer with a passion for rallying, founded his brand in 1955 with the aim of creating authentically French sports cars. The A108 represented the second generation of his creations, following the first A106s which had already caused a sensation.
This period corresponds to the golden age of French motorsport , where brands like Gordini, CD or Deutsch-Bonnet compete in ingenuity. Alpine stands out for its pragmatic approach: using reliable Renault mechanics while dressing it in a modern and lightweight body. This philosophy, which will last until the 90s, forges the unique identity of the blue brand.
The year 1960 also marked the first successes in competition, notably in rallying , a discipline in which Alpine would excel for decades.
The epic of the Tour de France automobile
The 1960 Tour de France remains etched in Alpine's history as one of its first national triumphs. This legendary event, created in 1951, was one of the most prestigious events on the French motor racing calendar, combining speed races on the circuit with road stages on open roads.
Alpine A108 number 122 set off on this adventure of more than 4,000 kilometers across France, competing against the giants of the time such as the Porsche 356 and the Triumph TR3. Despite its modest engine size , the Dieppe berlinetta caused a sensation with its consistency and reliability, qualities that would become Alpine's signature in competition.
This participation in the Tour de France automobile revealed to the general public the exceptional qualities of the A108. Journalists of the time unanimously praised its exemplary road handling and its ease of driving, even when pushed to its limits. This praise contributed significantly to the model's commercial success and established Alpine's burgeoning reputation.
The 1960 race also marked a turning point in Alpine's communications strategy. Jean Rédélé understood that competition was the best laboratory for developing his cars and the most effective sales pitch. This "road-racing" philosophy would become the brand's DNA and inspire all subsequent Alpines .
Complete your Alpine model car collection
This Alpine A108 Tour de France occupies a special place in the world of French model cars. It perfectly represents the pioneering spirit of the 1960s and fits harmoniously into any collection dedicated to French model cars or racing cars .
Collectors will appreciate its complementarity with other iconic models of the era, notably the Renault Dauphine Gordini or cars from the 1960s . It also constitutes an excellent starting point for a collection dedicated to the evolution of Alpine, from the first berlinettas to the most recent models.
This model car is aimed at both classic car enthusiasts and motorsport fans. Its authentic Tour de France livery and race number 122 make it a privileged witness to an era when French cars shone on European competition roads. It will naturally find its place alongside other vintage model cars or in a display case dedicated to classics from 1950 to 1979 .
