Alpine A110 1800 16S Team VIALLE - The rallycross spirit in miniature
This superb Renault Alpine A110 1800 16S Team VIALLE miniature from 1978 perfectly captures the essence of 1970s French rallycross. With its blue, white and red tricolour livery and its iconic number 67, this 1:43 scale replica celebrates the golden age of French motorsport.
A true collector's piece for Alpine and French car enthusiasts, this miniature is a must-have for anyone who wants to celebrate the racing heritage of our national sports coupés.
Miniature details
- Model: Alpine A110 1800 16S Team VIALLE
- Brand: Renault Alpine
- Year: 1978
- Scale: 1:43
- Colour: Blue, white and red - number 67
- Protective case included: Yes
The Alpine A110 1800 16S - A rallycross legend
The Alpine A110 1800 16S represents the ultimate evolution of the famous French berlinette in its rallycross configuration. Built specifically for this spectacular discipline, which mixes tarmac and dirt, it was powered by a 1800 cc Renault 16 TS engine producing around 140 horsepower, remarkable for its time.
This 1978 Team VIALLE version shows perfectly how the A110 was adapted to rallycross demands: reinforced bodywork, suspension tuned for jumps and surface changes, and of course that tricolour livery that made it instantly recognisable on the circuit. Rallycross, then booming in popularity, found in the A110 an ideal ambassador for French engineering.
The success of this configuration comes from the perfect balance between the Alpine's lightweight tubular chassis and the robustness needed for rallycross, where drivers tackle tight corners on asphalt and sections of packed dirt.
Alpine - French excellence in competition
In 1978, Alpine was going through a pivotal period in its history. Bought by Renault in 1973, the Dieppe-based marque nevertheless continued to nurture its sporting DNA under the leadership of Jean Rédélé. This era marked the peak of the A110 across many disciplines, from rallying to rallycross, shortly before the arrival of the A310.
Alpine's involvement in rallycross was a particularly shrewd visibility strategy. This highly televised and spectacular discipline let the brand demonstrate the versatility and durability of its cars. Teams such as VIALLE were active in building Alpine's reputation beyond traditional rallies, helping establish the marque as a benchmark of French motorsport in the 1970s.
The story of French rallycross
1970s rallycross was a spectacle unlike any other in Europe. Born in Great Britain, the discipline found especially fertile ground in France, notably at legendary circuits such as Lohéac in Brittany. The Alpine A110 often reigned supreme there, its chassis qualities and legendary agility giving it a decisive edge over its rivals.
The VIALLE team, represented by this number 67 tricolour livery, embodied the French craft spirit against better-funded factory teams. These family-run outfits, driven by pure passion, gave French rallycross an authenticity that set it apart from other European championships.
Rallycross races offered total spectacle: mass starts, spectacular overtaking on dirt, impressive jumps. The A110 was especially strong in the dirt sections, where its traction and balance often let it build decisive gaps before the tarmac stretches.
This period also marked the golden age of French televised rallycross, broadcast live and followed by millions of viewers. The Alpine A110, with its colourful liveries and remarkable performance, fully shared in that popularity and helped lodge the Alpine image firmly in the French collective imagination.
Complete your Alpine miniature collection
This Alpine A110 1800 16S Team VIALLE holds a prime place in the world of Alpine miniatures. It bears witness to a little-known but fascinating chapter of the marque's history, when it diversified into disciplines less in the spotlight than rallying but just as spectacular.
For collectors passionate about French cars, this miniature pairs perfectly with other Alpines in the range, whether rally versions or road models. It also fits naturally into a collection dedicated to racing cars or to vehicles from the 1970s, a golden era for French motorsport.
This piece will appeal as much to Alpine purists as to fans of vintage motor racing, and to anyone who wants to honour that golden period when French manufacturers dominated European circuits. A must-have for anyone who wants to pay tribute to French ingenuity and passion in motor racing.
