Red Renault Alpine A310 - A 70s legend in model car
This red Renault Alpine A310 from Solido faithfully represents one of the most iconic French sports coupes of the 1970s. Reproduced at 1/43 scale under the reference N°1814, this model car perfectly captures the essence of this legendary model which marked the history of the French automobile.
A true collector's item , this model car Alpine A310 is aimed at French car enthusiasts and collectors keen to own the most representative models of French automotive heritage.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Alpine A310
- Brand: Renault Alpine
- Year: 1971-1985
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Red
- Manufacturer: Solido
- Reference: No. 1814
- Protective case included: Yes
The Alpine A310, a revolutionary coupé
Launched in 1971, the Alpine A310 succeeded the famous A110 "Berlinette" and marked a new stage in the evolution of the Dieppe brand. Designed by Michel Béligond under the supervision of Jean Rédélé, founder of Alpine, this car revolutionized the approach to the French sports coupe with its angular lines and polyester body.
The model is distinguished by its rear-engine architecture, inherited from its predecessor, but adopts a resolutely modern silhouette for the time. Initially powered by a 1.6-liter Renault engine , then by more powerful engines up to the 2.7-liter V6 PRV, the A310 develops between 127 and 150 horsepower depending on the version.
This Alpine enjoyed respectable commercial success with nearly 10,000 examples produced between 1971 and 1985, establishing itself as the benchmark French sports coupé before the arrival of its replacement, the A610.
Alpine-Renault, French excellence in motorsport
Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé , Alpine was born from the passion of a Renault dealer in Dieppe for motor racing. The brand quickly specialized in the design of lightweight, high-performance sports cars, based on Renault mechanics but equipped with a revolutionary fiberglass body.
In the 1970s, the period in which the A310 was created, Alpine was at the height of its sporting glory. The brand dominated international rallies with its A110s, won the World Rally Championship for Manufacturers in 1973, and prepared for its return to Formula 1. It was in this context of technical excellence that the A310 was born, intended to democratize the Alpine spirit while retaining the brand's performance genes.
Acquired by Renault in 1973, Alpine benefited from the national manufacturer's resources to develop its models, while retaining its unique identity and its Dieppe artisanal know-how.
The A310, a movie star and symbol of the 70s
The Alpine A310 went far beyond the automotive sector to become a true cultural phenomenon of the 1970s and 1980s. Its futuristic silhouette and often red or blue body quickly made it the face of French cinema. It appeared in numerous films of the time, notably in Claude Lelouch's productions, helping to forge its image as an accessible dream car.
Even more surprisingly, the A310 became one of the most sought-after toys among French children thanks to Solido and Dinky Toys model cars. This popularity in the toy world contributed greatly to anchoring the model in the French collective imagination, well beyond its actual commercial success.
The car also accompanied the societal evolution of the time, embodying emancipation and freedom. Its avant-garde design, accessible performance, and relatively affordable price made it the symbol of a France that was modernizing and daring to dream of automotive exoticism.
Even today, the red A310 remains one of the most recognizable silhouettes of French automotive heritage, a symbol of an era when the French industry dared to challenge Italian manufacturers on their own turf of the sports coupe.
Complete your collection of French model cars
This Alpine A310 Solido naturally finds its place within a collection dedicated to Alpine-Renault model cars or more broadly to French model cars . It dialogues perfectly with the other emblematic models of the Dieppe brand, notably the A110 Berlinette and the A610.
Collectors with a passion for 1970s cars will find this an ideal complement to other sports coupes of the era. This A310 also complements Renault model cars from the same period, demonstrating the diversity of the diamond-shaped car range during this heyday.
For Solido model car enthusiasts, this A310 represents one of the flagships of the French manufacturer's production, renowned for the quality of its reproductions and its commitment to French automotive heritage. It fits perfectly into a thematic collection dedicated to French coupes or sports cars , offering enthusiasts a choice piece to enrich their collection.