1968 Alpine A110 Historic Rally Car

Highlights

• Spanish-delivered example

• In current ownership for 18 years

• Full rally-spec

• Campaigned from 2008 until 2017

• 5-speed gearbox conversion (Monte Carlo 364)

• Extensive spares supply

• 1796cc engine rebuild in 2019 - circa 300 miles covered since

• Available for viewing on the PistonHeads Auctions stand at the Annual Service event at Bicester

Overview

The French are masters at making small, yet mighty competition cars. Think of the Peugeot 205, the Renault 5, and then one of the prettiest of them all (not to mention successful): the Alpine A110.

Alpine was a company born out of founder Jean Rédélé’s love of building heavily-upgraded and modified 2CVs with custom bodywork in both on and off-road competitions, the efforts of which saw him partner with Renault for factory support, creating the Societe Anonyme des Automobiles Alpine, or Alpine as we all know it today.

Renault’s factory support was utilised extensively, both in the A110 and its predecessor, the A108. The A110 shared a number of key components with its Renault brethren, specifically the R8, which both helped to keep costs down but also improved reliability for Alpine by using tried-and-tested components.

In-period, the A110 gained itself a reputation as a successful rally car, including a victory at the 1971 Monte-Carlo rally with Ove Andersson at the helm, as well as further success in the newly-established World Rally Championship in 1973, during which the A110 was a roaring success at the hands of the works team, making Alpine-Renault the winners of the first WRC Manufacturers' championship.

Outside of Dieppe, the A110 was built under license by a number of manufacturers, including FASA in Valladolid, Spain, which is where this particular car was built. 

First registered in the UK in September 1988, this A110 was purchased by the current owner in July 1997, and subsequently converted to competition-specification with a number of further refinements and upgrades over the years. Campaigned between 2008 and 2017 and more recently placed in long-term storage due to access issues for the owner, this A110 benefits from a number of recent upgrades and a wealth of spare parts, making it an enticing prospect for anyone looking for a turn-key competition car with pedigree and previous competition experience.

History and documentation

• First registered in the UK 28 Sep 1988

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Spanish-delivered example - believed to have thicker shells, which were reportedly used to build works cars in Dieppe

• Original Spanish logbook

• MSA Homologation form

• MSA Historic Rallying ID form

• MSA Competition car logbook

• Extensive historic documentation

• Repair and ownership manuals

• Originally delivered in white, the car was re-sprayed into French Blue whilst in the care of the previous owner

• Purchased by the current owner in 1997

• Converted to rally specification and campaigned between 2008 and 2017

• Re-sprayed in white (including a full strip back to gel coat) in 2017

• One key

• Exempt from mandatory MOT examinations due to age

• HPI clear - noted for colour change as above

• Extensive spares included - new heated front screen, new rear and side plexiglass screens with sliders, alloy 10 gallon petrol tank, under-engine / gearbox sump guard, 5 spare wheels (3 6” wide, 2 8” wide) all fitted with Colway racing tyres, new electronic ignition setup, 2 new perspex light covers, straight-through racing silencer, spare shock absorbers, spot lights and more

• DVLA notified of change to engine size and number

Interior

• Stripped, competition-spec interior in good overall condition

• Typical patination visible to the older elements of the interior, such as the dash covering, instruments and steering wheel

• Fitted with both hydraulic and conventional handbrake setups

• Full roll cage, mounted on steel bonded into the car’s shell

• New bucket seats in pristine condition; note that there are no approved competition seats which fit in an Alpine and so an exemption needs to be applied for in order to compete in certain types of event (which the seller reports others have successfully obtained)

• The seller notes that the full Sparco harnesses have only been used once but are now out of date for events that require up to date equipment

• Peltor intercom system wired up and working

• Battery cutout switch

• High-traffic areas such as the shifter, footwells and transmission tunnel wear typical usage marks in keeping with the car’s history

• New headlining

• Full carpeted

• Brantz tripmeter

• Map light

• Switchable spot lights

• Fire extinguisher

• The speedometer is reported to be inoperable - believed to be a cable issue

• Other than the above speedometer mention, everything is said to be working

Exterior

• Bodywork finished in Renault White

• The paintwork is in very good overall condition, having seen very minimal use since being resprayed

• Stone chips to front quarter bumpers

• Wear visible around the windscreen and rear screen rubbers

• We note a scrap/scuff on the lower ‘chin’ spoiler area, just to the offside of centre

• Typical patination to badges and trims

• Mad In Wheels in excellent condition, wrapped in Hankook tyres

• Small stone chips/scratches visible on the side windows

• Cracking visible on the OSR upper intake

• Overall, a very smart example of the iconic French competition car, showing some light wear and perhaps in need of a full valet to bring out its best cosmetically, but not something to worry about if you’re off to the stages

Mechanical

• 1,796cc engine which we’re told was built in 2019 by renowned Renault engine specialist Salvo Sacco

• Specification of the engine build as follows: Steel liners to accept forged pistons, 82.5mm steel rods, balanced crank, lightened flywheel, gas-flowed cylinder head, fast-road cam, rebound crankshaft, new bearings

• New timing gear/tensioners at the time of rebuild

• Circa 300 miles covered since rebuild

• Five-speed Monte Carlo 364 gearbox conversion with ratios as follows: 1st - 3.04 2nd - 2.25 3rd - 1.69 4th - 1.41 5th - 1.21

• Straight-cut gears on 2 and 4

• Salisbury limited-slip differential with 8x31 ratio

• Rear-wheel drive

• Bilstein shock absorbers

• Heavy-duty driveshafts, couplings and clutch

• New brake master cylinder and rear wheel bearings fitted recently

• Front-mounted radiator with switchable electric fan

• Competition brake pads

• The brakes are non-assisted and, as is normal for competition-spec brakes, require warming up before any serious use

• No reported mechanical issues

• The seller notes the car has not been driven properly (other than for movements, etc) in around five years

• Being a competition car, this Alpine reportedly requires a few pumps on the throttle to start, then warming-through at 2,000rpm

Summary

Rebuilt to competition specification and subsequently campaigned extensively whilst in the care of its current owner before enjoying a more retired life in recent years, this extensively upgraded and fettled Alpine A110 offers its next owners plenty of scope for how they wish to use it - whether you immediately sign up for historic rallying, add some more road-going creature comforts or just sit and stare at the beautiful Michellotti-penned bodywork. 

Whatever you choose to do, we have no doubt that should you take to the road or track in this A110, you’re going to have a whale of a time!

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Camborne, Cornwall.

Please note that the car will on display at the PistonHeads Annual Service on 9 August 2025 at Bicester Motion.