The 1970 Renault Alpine A110 V85: A French Jewel in Miniature
This 1970 Renault Alpine A110 V85 miniature perfectly captures the essence of one of France's most iconic sports cars. Reproduced in its striking original blue livery, this 1/43rd scale collectible is a faithful tribute to the golden age of French motorsport.
A true collector's object for car and French history enthusiasts, this miniature is an essential piece for any fan of 1970s European sports cars.
Miniature Specifications
- Model: Alpine A110 V85
- Brand: Renault Alpine
- Year: 1970
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Blue
- Protective case included: Yes
The Alpine A110 V85: Birth of a Legend
The Alpine A110 V85 came to life in 1970 in the Dieppe workshops, the brainchild of Jean Rédélé and his team of passionate engineers. This particular version, recognisable by its long-range headlights and aerodynamic upgrades, represented the ultimate evolution of the A110 line before the arrival of more powerful variants.
Powered by the Renault-Gordini 1300 cc engine producing around 125 horsepower, this Alpine combined exceptional lightness with outstanding performance. Its fibreglass body, mounted on a tubular chassis, weighed just 650 kilos, giving the car extraordinary road and sporting qualities for its time.
The A110's commercial success exceeded all of Alpine's expectations. With over 7,500 units built between 1963 and 1977, it quickly became the ambassador of French expertise in sports cars, rivalling the finest Italian and German productions.
Alpine: The French Excellence of Motorsport
In 1970, Alpine enjoyed its golden age under Jean Rédélé, a former Renault dealer turned visionary manufacturer. The brand, founded in 1955, had already built a solid reputation thanks to the successes of the A108 and the early A110 versions. This period marked the peak of Alpine's creative independence, before its takeover by Renault in 1973.
The Alpine story reflects French ingenuity in the face of automotive industry giants. Starting from a small bodywork workshop in Dieppe, Jean Rédélé managed to build a globally respected brand, capable of competing with Porsche on international circuits. The Alpine philosophy favoured lightness and balance over raw power, an approach that still influences modern sports car design today.
In 1970, Alpine employed nearly 400 people and exported its cars to about fifteen countries, proving that French excellence could hold its own in a market dominated by foreign manufacturers.
The Alpine A110 Rally Epic
1970 marks a decisive turning point in the history of the Alpine A110, as this is precisely the year that the Alpine-Renault team begins seriously preparing its campaign for the World Rally Championship. The A110 V85, with its technical improvements, became the secret weapon of French drivers Jean-Claude Andruet, Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Bernard Darniche.
A delightful anecdote from that era tells how, in 1970, during a rally in Corsica, a blue A110 identical to our miniature was mistaken for a regular road car by local gendarmes. Impressed by the car's passing speed, they tried to pull it over for speeding, unaware that it was an official race car! The incident, now legendary, perfectly illustrates the deceptive discretion of the Alpine, capable of exceptional performance beneath a civilised exterior.
That same year, 1970, the Alpine A110 claimed its first major international successes, paving the way for its legendary victories at the Monte-Carlo Rally in 1971 and 1973. The blue of our miniature also evokes that heroic period, when blue Alpines became the nightmare of Italian and German teams on the winding roads of the Alps.
The A110's cultural impact extends well beyond the motoring world. It embodies the French spirit of the 1970s: bold, innovative and willing to challenge established conventions. Many collectors regard this period as the peak of French automotive history, when our manufacturers still dared to dream and create exceptional cars.
Complete Your Collection of French Miniatures
This Alpine A110 V85 naturally fits alongside other icons of French motoring. It pairs perfectly with Alpine-Renault miniatures from different eras, creating a cohesive set that traces the evolution of this legendary brand.
Collectors will also enjoy pairing it with classic Renault miniature cars such as the R8 Gordini or the R5 Turbo, showcasing the diversity of the Régie Renault heritage. For a thematic approach, this Alpine fits perfectly into a collection dedicated to rally cars or racing and competition cars.
This miniature appeals equally to seasoned collectors and newcomers eager to discover the fascinating world of French sports cars. It is also an excellent starting point for exploring 1950 to 1979 classics or French cars in general, offering many ways to enrich your collection.