Renault Alpine A110 1600S blue 1973 in miniature at 1/43 scale
This Renault Alpine A110 1600S miniature reproduces one of the most iconic silhouettes of 1970s France. In its blue body, the small berlinette faithfully captures the low, compact lines of the production car, with its headlights, sills and distinctive rear. Offered in the Auto Plus collection, it appeals to fans of French sports cars and rally enthusiasts.
Among classic model cars, the A110 occupies a special place. It embodies an era when smaller manufacturers could rival the giants on mountain roads and special stages. This model therefore naturally positions itself as a collector's item, both a witness to a period and a tribute to a car with character.
Miniature features
- Model: Alpine A110 1600S
- Brand: Renault Alpine
- Year: 1973
- Scale: 1/43
- Colour: Blue
- Protective box included: Yes
The real car: the Alpine A110 1600S
The A110 was born in the early 1960s from the imagination of Jean Rédélé, founder of Alpine and a Renault dealer in Dieppe. The project started from a Renault mechanical base, reworked and refined for competition. The version shown here, the 1600S, receives the 1.6 litre engine from the Renault range, tuned to deliver performance far superior to previous models. The bodywork design was entrusted to Italian coachbuilder Giovanni Michelotti, who created a low, aerodynamic silhouette clad in a fibreglass-reinforced polyester shell.
This technical choice has a direct consequence: the car remains light, weighing around 680 kilos, which gives it very lively handling. The tubular chassis and the mid-rear engine position (in berlinette configuration) give the A110 agile behaviour, especially appreciated on the tight bends of Alpine passes. For a driving enthusiast, it is precisely this sense of lightness and precision that makes the difference.
Commercially, the A110 was never a bestseller in the strict sense, but it quickly built a solid reputation. Produced in a few thousand examples, it established itself on circuits and in rallying, where it contributed to the successes of the Alpine-Renault team. These sporting results made the berlinette a reference that goes well beyond the circle of insiders, and it remains a model sought after by collectors today.
The brand: from Renault to Alpine
By the time the A110 took shape, Renault was already one of the great names in French motoring. Founded in 1898 by the brothers Louis, Marcel and Fernand Renault, the brand went through the 20th century offering popular models such as the 4CV and the Dauphine. It also developed a sportier image, notably thanks to preparations carried out by independents, of which Alpine was one. It was in this context that projects from the Dieppe workshop gradually gained credibility.
Alpine, for its part, was built around Jean Rédélé's passion for competition. Its first cars, based on Renault mechanics, stood out in rallying and racing, and the brand quickly became a performance laboratory. In 1973, Alpine was integrated into the Renault group, which allowed the sporting programme to be further structured. The world manufacturers' rally titles won in 1973 and 1974 crowned this success and placed the A110 at the heart of French sports car history.
Anecdote: a berlinette born of local passion
Before becoming an icon, the Alpine A110 was for a long time a garage dream. Jean Rédélé, a Renault dealer in Dieppe, prepared his own cars to take part in regional rallies, at a time when factories rarely financed private teams. His first creation, based on a 4CV, allowed him to make a name for himself in amateur competition. The nickname 'berlinette', which later came to describe these compact coupés, recalls the shape of the car, halfway between a saloon and a small racing car.
This journey sums up the spirit of the era well. The 1960s and 1970s saw a multiplication of initiatives by small manufacturers who managed to rival the large groups through ingenuity and passion. On the roads of Monte Carlo, the Tour de Corse or regional rallies, blue, red or white berlinettes became symbols of an accessible, nimble and spectacular car. They bear witness to a time when motorsport was also lived in the garages, in direct contact with the mechanics.
For miniature enthusiasts, this history adds an extra dimension to each example. An Alpine A110 is not only a racing car, it is a reflection of regional know-how, an industrial adventure and an era when driving was a matter of sensations. Finding this silhouette at 1/43 scale lets you keep that memory on a shelf, within sight.
Complete your Alpine and Renault miniature collection
In a collection of Renault miniatures, the Alpine A110 1600S naturally finds its place alongside mass-production models and the brand's sports cars. It represents the rally and competition side of Renault's history, and fits perfectly with the series dedicated to the Alpine-Renault theme. To complete this set, motorsport fans can also explore the rally selection or the racing and competition section, where berlinettes rub shoulders with other references of the era.
This piece is aimed first at collectors of 1970s French cars, but also at rally fans who follow the history of championships. It will also interest those looking for 1/43 scale models to build a coherent display case, centred on a decade or a brand. Fans of the 1970s period will find a faithful witness to the cars of the time, both elegant and sporty.
Finally, this miniature is part of a passion-driven approach rather than a simple purchase. It works equally well as a personal display piece or as a gift for a car enthusiast. The included protective box keeps it in good condition, whether it joins an existing display case or opens the way to a new theme. To expand your selection, also discover the full 1/43 range and the Auto Plus series.
