Renault Alpine A110 Coupe des Alpes 1971 - A blue legend in model car
This model car of the 1971 Renault Alpine A110 Coupe des Alpes faithfully reproduces one of the most iconic French sports cars. With its distinctive blue color and timeless design, this 1:43 scale reproduction perfectly captures the essence of this berlinetta that marked the history of motor rallying. This piece is naturally a must-have for any enthusiast of French model cars and constitutes a precious testimony to the French automotive heritage.
A true collector's item , this model car pays tribute to one of the most successful creations of the collaboration between Renault and Alpine, a symbol of French excellence in the field of compact sports cars.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Alpine A110 Coupe des Alpes
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Brand: Renault Alpine
- Year: 1971
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Blue
- Number: 22
- Protective case included: Yes
The original Alpine A110: birth of a legend
The Alpine A110 was born in 1961 under the leadership of Jean Rédélé, founder of Alpine. This revolutionary berlinetta was born from the desire to create an affordable sports car, combining lightness and performance. Built on a Renault 8 base, the A110 adopted a fiberglass body that gave it a featherweight of less than 700 kilos, the secret to its legendary agility.
The 1971 model represents the culmination of this philosophy, equipped with the 1300 cc engine developing around 125 horsepower. This exceptional weight/power combination makes the A110 a formidable competition weapon , capable of competing with the biggest Italian and German brands on the winding roads of European rallies.
The commercial success of the Alpine A110 exceeded all expectations, with more than 7,000 units produced until 1977. Its success is explained by its versatility: effective on the track as well as on the road, it appeals to professional drivers as well as sports driving enthusiasts.
Alpine and Renault: a fruitful alliance
The Alpine story began in 1955 when Jean Rédélé , a Renault dealer with a passion for rallying, founded his brand in Dieppe. Alpine quickly developed unique expertise in transforming Renault vehicles into racing cars. This close collaboration with the Régie intensified over the years, with Renault providing the mechanics while Alpine contributed its expertise in chassis and aerodynamics.
In the early 1970s , when our model was in production, Alpine was enjoying its golden age. The A110 dominated international rallies, flying the French flag high against foreign competition. This period marked the height of the collaboration between the two manufacturers, before Renault gradually took full control of Alpine in 1973.
The conquest of the Alps: when the A110 wrote its legend
The nickname "Coupe des Alpes" is no coincidence for the Alpine A110. This name refers to one of the most prestigious competitions of the time: the Rallye des Alpes, a formidable event that crossed the most legendary passes of the French and Italian Alps. The A110 particularly shone there, winning numerous victories between 1968 and 1973.
The most memorable anecdote remains that of the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally , the year our model car model was produced. Ove Andersson, driving an Alpine A110, achieved the feat of finishing second in this legendary event, beaten only by a Porsche 911. This historic performance definitively propelled the A110 to the ranks of world rally legends.
The blue color of our model car recalls the official livery of the factory Alpines of this era. This shade, which has become emblematic of the brand, was carefully chosen to stand out in the international peloton. Spectators quickly learned to recognize these "little blue" French cars that shook up the established order on the most technical special stages.
Legend has it that Jean Rédélé himself tested each A110 on the Normandy mountain roads before delivery. This attention to detail partly explains why the A110 developed such a bond with its drivers, a characteristic that still makes its reputation among collectors of Alpine model cars today.
Complete your model car collection
This 1971 Alpine A110 naturally finds its place at the heart of a collection dedicated to French sports cars. It sits perfectly alongside other iconic models of the era, notably the Renault model cars that share the same basic mechanics, or the contemporary rally cars that marked the 1970s.
For motor racing enthusiasts, this model car is ideally suited to a collection dedicated to racing cars or vehicles that have marked the history of French motor sport . It can also complement a series dedicated to automobiles from the 1970s , a pivotal decade for the French automobile industry.
This reproduction appeals to both experienced collectors and novices discovering the world of model cars. Its meticulous finish and 1/43 scale make it a benchmark model, while its emotionally charged story touches all lovers of beautiful French mechanics.
