Dinky-Toys Red Renault Alpine A310: A French Sports Icon in model car
This magnificent red Renault Alpine A310 reproduced by Dinky-Toys under Editions Atlas represents one of the most emblematic models of French motorsport of the 1970s. This faithful model car perfectly captures the spirit of this legendary berlinetta which marked an entire generation of passionate motorists.
A true collector's item , this 1/43rd scale reproduction is a must-have for any enthusiast of French model cars and is an authentic testament to the golden age of French sports cars.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Alpine A310
- Brand: Renault Alpine
- Year: 1971-1985
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Red
- Manufacturer: Dinky-Toys (Éditions Atlas)
- Protective case included: Yes (cardboard with slight signs of use)
The Alpine A310: Birth of a sports legend
Launched in 1971 , the Renault Alpine A310 succeeded the famous A110 "Berlinette" and marked a new stage in the evolution of the Dieppe brand. Designed under the direction of Jean Rédélé, this sports car is distinguished by its more angular and modern lines, breaking with the rounded curves of its predecessor while retaining the Alpine DNA.
The A310 features a fiberglass body mounted on a tubular chassis, an architecture that gives it a featherweight of just 950 kg. Its 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder Renault engine developing 127 horsepower, placed in a rear mid-position, allows it to reach 210 km/h and to complete the 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, remarkable performances for the time.
Produced in 9,834 units until 1985, the Alpine A310 enjoyed critical acclaim among purists, even if it did not match the commercial success of its little sister, the A110. It nevertheless remains a symbol of French expertise in sports cars.
Alpine: French sporting excellence
Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé in Dieppe, Alpine was born from one man's passion for racing and sports cars. Initially a Renault dealer, Rédélé developed his first creations based on the reliable mechanics of the diamond, creating a unique philosophy combining lightness, agility, and performance.
In the early 1970s, the period in which the A310 was created, Alpine enjoyed its greatest rallying successes with the legendary A110, which won the first World Rally Championship in 1973. This prosperous period allowed the brand to develop the A310 with the ambition of modernizing its range while maintaining the sporting spirit for which it was renowned. The A310 thus represents Alpine's desire to attract a wider customer base while preserving its values of performance and exclusivity.
A star of the small screen
The Alpine A310 owes much of its fame to its starring role in the 1980s television series "Les Enquêtes du commissaire Maigret" starring Jean Richard. The red berlinetta quickly became one of the series' visual symbols, creating a lasting association between the car and the French police world.
This media exposure transformed the A310 into a true popular icon , reaching beyond the simple framework of automobile enthusiasts. Many viewers thus discovered this French sports car with futuristic lines, helping to permanently anchor its image in the French collective imagination.
The Alpine A310 also became one of the most photographed French sports cars of its generation, regularly appearing in motoring magazines and advertisements of the time. Its bold design, with its pop-up headlights and low profile, made it a prime subject for illustrating the dynamism of the French automotive industry in the 1970s.
This media coverage has contributed greatly to making the A310 an object of desire that transcends generations, explaining the continued interest of collectors in its model car reproductions, almost fifty years after its creation.
Complete your collection of French sports model cars
This Renault Alpine A310 Dinky-Toys naturally finds its place at the heart of a collection dedicated to Alpine Renault model cars , alongside the legendary A110 and the brand's more recent models. It fits perfectly into a collection of French model cars from the 1970s, a prosperous period for the French automotive industry.
Collectors who are passionate about Dinky-Toys model cars will appreciate the quality of this Atlas model, which faithfully respects the proportions and details of the original. This red A310 is also an excellent addition for fans of cut-out model cars and finds its place in any collection dedicated to cars from the 1970s .
This model car appeals to a diverse audience: experienced collectors looking for authentic Dinky-Toys models, Alpine enthusiasts eager to collect all the models of the Dieppe brand, and fans of French racing cars . Its relative rarity and its connection to French automotive history make it an investment in heritage as well as an aesthetic pleasure for any lover of quality model cars.
