Lot details
Registration No: Un-Reg
Chassis No: 13743
Mot Expiry: None

The Alpine A110, a highly successful rally weapon synonymous with wins on the classic, snowy Montes, was introduced in 1961 as an evolution of the A108. Like the A108, the A110 used a steel backbone chassis to which the glassfibre body was bonded, giving light weight and rigidity, and the rear engine/rear-wheel-drive combination gave unbeatable traction in slippery conditions, like its rivals the Porsche 911 and, later Lancia Stratos. After winning several rallies in France during the late 1960s with R8 Gordini engines, the A110 was up-engined to a 1600 with the aluminium-block 1565cc 'four' from the Renault 16 TS. With two twin-choke Weber 45 DCOE carburettors the new engine produced up to 140bhp, endowing a standard A110 1600S with a top speed of 130mph. The car reached widespread fame during 1970-1972 in the newly created International Championship for Manufacturers, winning several events around Europe - notably Swedish driver Ove Andersson's victory on the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally. All A110s were left-hand drive, and over the model's life came with a bewildering choice of engines and specifications.

This is a genuine Dieppe-built car that was originally a 1300VC, the customer model produced between 1970 and 1976, but reportedly prepared in the late '90s "at no expense spared" to Group 4 specification for historic rallying. There's a roll cage plus two four-point harnesses, electrical cut-offs, and it wears works-type Gotti split-rim alloy wheels. The original 1289cc motor has been upgraded to a works-type Gordini unit bored out to 1440cc and fitted with twin-choke Weber carburettors, and there is a competition five-speed gearbox fitted, states the owner. It completed both the 1997 Coupe des Alpes and the 1998 Historic Monte Carlo rallies. "Very rare and an absolute delight to drive", says the vendor, who adds that the car is in "excellent overall condition". Currently French registered, this car comes with a French Contrôle Technique certificate that runs until April, though obviously the car will need a fresh UK MOT if it is to be UK registered.