Alpine A110 1800 16S Team VIALLE - The rallycross spirit in model car
This magnificent 1978 Renault Alpine A110 1800 16S Team VIALLE model car perfectly captures the essence of 1970s French rallycross. With its blue, white and red tricolor livery and iconic number 67, this 1:43 scale reproduction is a testament to the golden age of French motor racing.
A true collector's item for Alpine and French automobile enthusiasts, this model car is a must-have for anyone wishing to celebrate the sporting heritage of our national berlinettas.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Alpine A110 1800 16S Team VIALLE
- Brand: Renault Alpine
- Year: 1978
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: 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 berlinetta in its rallycross configuration. Developed specifically for this spectacular discipline combining asphalt and dirt, it benefited from an 1800 cc Renault 16 TS engine developing around 140 horsepower, a remarkable power output for the time.
This 1978 Team VIALLE version perfectly illustrates the A110's adaptation to the demands of rallycross: reinforced bodywork, suspensions adapted to jumps and changes in surface, and of course this tricolor livery that made it immediately recognizable on the circuits. The rallycross discipline, then in full swing, found in the A110 an ideal ambassador of French technology.
The success of this configuration is explained by the perfect balance between the Alpine's lightweight tubular chassis and the robustness required for the specific constraints of rallycross, where drivers combine tight turns on asphalt with sections on dirt.
Alpine - French excellence in competition
In 1978, Alpine was experiencing a pivotal period in its history. Acquired by Renault in 1973, the Dieppe-based brand nevertheless continued to cultivate its sporting DNA under the leadership of Jean Rédélé. This period marked the peak of the A110's success in various disciplines, from rallying to rallycross, before the advent of the A310.
Alpine's involvement in rallycross was part of a particularly judicious visibility strategy . This highly publicized and spectacular discipline allowed the brand to demonstrate the versatility and robustness of its creations. Teams like VIALLE actively participated in forging Alpine's reputation beyond traditional rallies, helping to establish the brand as an essential reference in French motorsport in the 1970s .
The epic of French rallycross
Rallycross in the 1970s was a unique spectacle in Europe. A discipline born in Great Britain, it found particularly fertile ground in France, thanks in particular to legendary circuits like Lohéac in Brittany. The Alpine A110 often reigned supreme there , its chassis qualities and legendary agility giving it a decisive advantage over its rivals.
The VIALLE team, represented by this tricolor livery number 67, perfectly embodied the French artisanal spirit in the face of the more fortunate factory teams. These family structures, driven by pure passion, helped give French rallycross the authenticity that distinguished it from other European championships.
Rallycross races offered a total spectacle: mass starts, spectacular overtaking moves on the dirt, impressive jumps. The A110 particularly excelled in the gravel phases, where its traction and balance often allowed it to open up decisive gaps before the tarmac sections.
This era also marked the golden age of French rallycross television , broadcast live and watched by millions of viewers. The Alpine A110, with its colorful livery and remarkable performance, played a key role in this popularity, helping to permanently anchor Alpine's image in the French collective unconscious.
Complete your Alpine model car collection
This Alpine A110 1800 16S Team VIALLE occupies a special place in the world of Alpine model cars . It bears witness to a little-known but exciting period in the brand's history, that of its diversification into disciplines less publicized than rallying but just as spectacular.
For collectors passionate about French cars , this model car fits perfectly with the other Alpines in the range, whether rally versions or road configurations. It also fits harmoniously into a collection dedicated to racing cars or vehicles from the 1970s , a blessed period of French motorsport.
This piece will appeal to Alpine purists , retro motorsport enthusiasts, and anyone looking to celebrate the golden age when French manufacturers dominated European racing circuits. A must-have for anyone who wants to pay tribute to French ingenuity and passion for motor racing.
