The 1970 Renault Alpine A110 V85: A French Jewel in model car
This model car of the 1970 Renault Alpine A110 V85 perfectly captures the essence of one of the most iconic French sports cars. Reproduced in its magnificent original blue livery , this 1:43 scale collector's item is a faithful testament to the golden age of French motorsport.
A true collector's item for car and French history enthusiasts, this model car is a must-have for any fan of 1970s European sports cars.
Characteristics of the model car
- 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 was born in 1970 in the Dieppe workshops, the product of the genius of Jean Rédélé and his team of passionate engineers. This particular version, recognizable by its long-range headlights and aerodynamic improvements, represented the ultimate evolution of the A110 line before the arrival of the more powerful versions.
Powered by a 1300cc Renault-Gordini engine developing approximately 125 horsepower, this Alpine combined exceptional lightness with remarkable performance. Its fiberglass body, mounted on a tubular chassis, weighed only 650 kilos, giving the car extraordinary road and sporting qualities for the time.
The commercial success of the A110 exceeded all Alpine's expectations. With more than 7,500 units produced between 1963 and 1977, it quickly became an ambassador of French sports car expertise , rivaling the best Italian and German productions.
Alpine: French Excellence in Motorsport
In 1970, Alpine entered its golden age under the leadership of Jean Rédélé , a former Renault dealer turned visionary manufacturer. The brand, founded in 1955, had already built a solid reputation thanks to the success of the A108 and the first versions of the A110. This period marked the height of Alpine's creative independence, before its acquisition by Renault in 1973.
The history of Alpine is a testament to French ingenuity in the face of automotive giants. Starting from a small body shop in Dieppe, Jean Rédélé managed to create a globally respected brand capable of rivaling Porsche on international racing circuits. The Alpine philosophy prioritized lightness and balance over raw power, an approach that still influences the design of modern sports cars today.
By 1970, Alpine employed nearly 400 people and exported its cars to around fifteen countries, demonstrating that French excellence could prevail in a market dominated by foreign manufacturers.
The Alpine A110 Rally Epic
The year 1970 marked a decisive turning point in the history of the Alpine A110, as it was precisely in this year that the Alpine-Renault team began to seriously prepare for its World Rally Championship campaign. The A110 V85, with its technical improvements, then became the secret weapon of French drivers Jean-Claude Andruet, Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Bernard Darniche.
A delightful anecdote from this period tells of a 1970 rally in Corsica when a blue A110 identical to our model car was mistaken for a touring car by local police officers. The latter, impressed by the car's speed, attempted to stop it for speeding, unaware that it was an official racing car! The incident, which has become legendary, perfectly illustrates the Alpine's deceptive discretion, capable of exceptional performance under a civilized exterior.
That same year, 1970, the Alpine A110 achieved its first major international successes, paving the way for its legendary victories at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1971 and 1973. The blue color of our model car evokes this heroic period, when the blue Alpines became the nightmare of Italian and German teams on the winding roads of the Alps.
The cultural impact of the A110 extends far beyond the automotive world. It embodies the French spirit of the 1970s : bold, innovative, and capable of challenging established conventions. Many collectors consider this period to be the height of French motoring, when our manufacturers still dared to dream and create exceptional cars.
Complete your collection of French model cars
This Alpine A110 V85 naturally finds its place alongside other icons of French motoring . It harmonizes perfectly with the Alpine-Renault model cars from different eras, creating a coherent whole tracing the evolution of this legendary brand.
Collectors will also enjoy pairing it with classic Renault model cars like the R8 Gordini or the R5 Turbo, illustrating the diversity of the company's automotive heritage. For a thematic approach, this Alpine fits perfectly into a collection dedicated to rally vehicles or racing and competition cars .
This model car is aimed at both experienced collectors and novices eager to discover the exciting world of French sports cars. It also provides an excellent starting point for exploring classic cars from 1950 to 1979 or French cars in general, thus offering multiple opportunities to enrich your collection.
