Lotus and DMC developed Alpine A310 for sale
Behold one of just seven cars bought to facilitate the development partnership between Lotus and DeLorean
There are interesting cars and there are interesting cars. I think this qualifies as the latter, don't you? And because neither DeLoreans nor Alpine A310s are my specialist subject, it's taken me on a journey of enlightenment. I hadn't realised, for example, that John DeLorean's quest to build his infamous, two-door sports car had meant quite so many variations from concept to final production.
For a start, there were the numerous engine proposals. The first of which was a Wankel motor but that was dropped in favour of a Cologne V6. That was then superseded by a Citroën 2.0-litre from the CX, which was eventually canned because it was felt to be underpowered.
In the end, a solution was found in the form of the Peugeot-Renault-Volvo (PRV) 2.9-litre V6, but that necessitated shifting the power unit installation from midships to beyond the rear axle, and in turn that led to a complete re-engineering programme being enacted. That task was passed on to Colin Chapman and Lotus Cars. Chapman decided to drop the patented (but costly and complex) elastic reservoir moulding (ERM) technique, which was originally going to form the DMC-12's plastic chassis. Instead, he moved to a steel backbone chassis that was along the same lines as the Esprit's and the Alpine A310's.
Because the A310's rear-engine drivetrain was also similar to what was proposed for the DMC-12 - including using the same V6, albeit initially with a smaller-capacity 2.6-litre PRV - it was decided that the A310 would make the ideal testbed to engineer the DMC-12's running gear. All of which brings us to this particular Alpine A310. As the advert states, it is one of seven A310s that were eventually purchased by DeLorean and used by Lotus Cars during that very development programme.
The A310 is already an interesting car, but I would argue that this car's provenance elevates it into the super-interesting league. After all, its history is entwined with John DeLorean and the legendary Chapman, and it played a part in one of the most eventful automotive escapades from the latter part of the twentieth century. And who knows, could this be the car that the A310 that should've been? The Alpine never really received the development programme it needed to keep pace with the Porsche 911 and, as its production run rolled on, sales dwindled relative to the 911 - even in its strongly patriotic homeland.
One would assume that some of Chapman's brilliance for car set-ups would've filtered into this A310's suspension, which is described as having fully adjustable dampers. It also has 15-inch wheels instead of the standard car's 13-inch alloys, and the split, diamond-turned rims with gold hubs look very period and very cool. Interestingly, they retain the three-stud format used with other A310s. Whether you're a fan of Chapman, DeLorean or Alpine, this car would seem to be a must-have for your collection.
(I expect it's just had the adjustables raised for transport purposes, but surely worth lowering for pics?).
This would be a perfect exhibit for the DeLorean museum that Northern Ireland should have, but doesn't. It's a hell of a story, even without the BTTF link.
The whole DeLorean/Chapman saga remains a bit mysterious and interesting; a bright spark of hope that flared briefly and then died, leaving only a dream of what might have been.
Still, the ability to get four people into such a small light car plus a V6 engine is testament to the packaging benefits of the RR layout.I have a soft spot for these, ever since seeing one in the mid 90s Japanese animated show Neon Genesis Evangelion. The car in that show is a four-banger with the full width light setup, which was changed for the V6. It was also perplexingly converted to RHD and EV, presumably to reflect the distant future year of 2015 the show was set in.
Co-incidentally a friend of a friend has just bought a Delorean.
From some angles it is really quite pretty, from others it is glaringly mishapen to accomodate the mechanicals underneath
Overall it just doesn't come together well for me
As mentioned by someone else it has the feel of a kit car about it and I have to feel a company like Renault could have and should have done better
Desirable? I'm not so sure. It's not as if the end result went on to automotive good fortune.
One the positive side there might be a bundle of used notes in the glove box or a stash of cocaine in the chassis rails!
When the DeLorean project started, it was already behind schedule. Thanks to daily improvisation of all engineering teams, they literally invented simultaneous engineering.
At that time, a way of cutting corners was to get existing cars for benchmarking.
e.g. DeLorean bought a blue Ferrari 308 and a red Porsche 928 and gave it Lotus engineering for “inspiration”. Needless to say, that managing directors could use them on weekends.
At the very beginning, DeLorean bought a couple of Alpine A310, LHD European spec, which were modified to US spec 2.85litre fuel injection.
One of these Alpine was used in January 1979 to give Roger Cook, BBC Radio 4’s The World at One a test-drive, which he commented very negatively later in his show. Actually, he was misleading in a way, that he claimed to have driven a DeLorean.
Anyway, the Alpine was simple a stopgap for DeLorean to show everyone regarding engine power what they could do in the future, although promised to be ready now.
To finish the Alpine story:
Legend Industries were responsible for developing the Twin turbo DeLorean’s along with the unfinished single turbo project. They were based on Long Island New York and in total converted four DeLorean’s.
AND tested the engines in two Alpines VIN 45123 and VIN45124.
About this Alpine here, left/ right rear mirrors are from later cars. Rims are mentioned as not original. DMC never did any research or engineering – Lotus did it.
Lotus started from beginning to build the DeLorean like an Esprit. Lotus was testing a lot of cars, but they did not modify them. No time, no need, no financial reward.
DeLorean used 195/60-14 front and 235/60 – 15 rear. (see: Fall 1980 DMC Newsletter)
Nice, if it is believed that rims and suspension were done by Lotus.
Picture below from: John Z, the DeLorean and Me by Barrie Wills.
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