RE: PH Heroes: Alpine A110
Discussion
My good friend and former Ligier F1 driver Erik Comas has a business in Valence, France hiring out rally Alpine A110s to (mainly) wealthy French businessmen who want to experience Historic rallying in luxury. He owns 14 of the cars (the first one bought in the early nineties with the prizemoney from his World Formula 3000 championship win), 10 x Gp 3 and 4 x Gp 4. I have been lucky enough to co-drive in the Monte Historique, Corsica and Neige et Glace in the cars which was fantastic, but not as fantastic as sitting with Erik while testing. As you would expect of someone with such an exalted history his car control verges on the unbelievable and I particularly remember, on a narrow road which crossed from one side of a river to the other via two 90 degree bends and a bridge, we arrived on to the bridge on full opposite lock one way, virtually touching the walls with the front and back of the car, and he then flicked the car the other way, still within the walls and exited the bridge on the other full opposite lock.
The quickest and possibly the best of his cars is a Gp4 car from 1974, the last 'works' year which had the upper/lower rear wishbone suspension from the A310 and an engine of nearly 2 litres with over 200 bhp in 620kg. The power to weight combined with the 'on rails' handling of this car is stunning, but it does not have the lift off oversteer of the swing axle cars which so help if one arrives at a corner that little bit too quickly. The wishbone car is a brave man's car! For the Tour Auto (formerly Tour de France) last year Erik built a new swing axle car for hiself and won the event. They are presently building two new cars with extra strengthing allowed by the event's regulations for the Classic Safari 2009. As the French have little experience of either gravel or African conditions Erik has recruited Gareth Williams, proprietor of Nuneaton based Sweep Motor Sport to re-engineer all the suspension components and act as Team Manager for the event.
The 1600 cars are no slouch either with about 140bhp and 650 kilos and are even more 'go-kart'ish on their narrower cars. I always look forward to visining Erik and getting a 'play' with his toys!
Have a look at http://www.comashistoric.com and I can strongly recommend, if you can afford it, and want five star luxury hotels while competing in stunning historic cars in Europe's classic rallies to give Erik a call. It is an experience of a lifetime.
The quickest and possibly the best of his cars is a Gp4 car from 1974, the last 'works' year which had the upper/lower rear wishbone suspension from the A310 and an engine of nearly 2 litres with over 200 bhp in 620kg. The power to weight combined with the 'on rails' handling of this car is stunning, but it does not have the lift off oversteer of the swing axle cars which so help if one arrives at a corner that little bit too quickly. The wishbone car is a brave man's car! For the Tour Auto (formerly Tour de France) last year Erik built a new swing axle car for hiself and won the event. They are presently building two new cars with extra strengthing allowed by the event's regulations for the Classic Safari 2009. As the French have little experience of either gravel or African conditions Erik has recruited Gareth Williams, proprietor of Nuneaton based Sweep Motor Sport to re-engineer all the suspension components and act as Team Manager for the event.
The 1600 cars are no slouch either with about 140bhp and 650 kilos and are even more 'go-kart'ish on their narrower cars. I always look forward to visining Erik and getting a 'play' with his toys!
Have a look at http://www.comashistoric.com and I can strongly recommend, if you can afford it, and want five star luxury hotels while competing in stunning historic cars in Europe's classic rallies to give Erik a call. It is an experience of a lifetime.
Rallyed an A110 in the 70's. What a car!! No major problems ever, except for suspension bushes which could wear out quite fast (rebuild at least once a year).
Would love to get my hands on one today. Know of a couple hanging around here locked away (hush) who still get driven from time to time. On the mountain roads an absolute thrill, and the sound behind yours ears through the Weber trumpets and Devil exhaust..... wow!! The Gr4 was stupendous and like an insect ready to pounce on its prey.
Would love to get my hands on one today. Know of a couple hanging around here locked away (hush) who still get driven from time to time. On the mountain roads an absolute thrill, and the sound behind yours ears through the Weber trumpets and Devil exhaust..... wow!! The Gr4 was stupendous and like an insect ready to pounce on its prey.
one of the nicest cars to do a bit of tail hanging out on mountain roads. engine way out back and fuel tank way out front = massive high polar moment of inertia.
went for a blast in my elise in the mountains with a buddy in his A110 - he had waaay more looking out of side window action than me!
went for a blast in my elise in the mountains with a buddy in his A110 - he had waaay more looking out of side window action than me!
Koul said:
smart were adventurous in 2003 when they launched the roadster. It isn't as fast as the Alpine but the fun factor is very high and the low weight and some mechanical and electronic modifications make it surprisingly rapid.
Here's mine.
They would have sold double if they made it with a manual geabox.Here's mine.
HAB said:
Vintageseekers said:
Only 3 FRENCH cars I would consider gorgeous, the incredible Bugatti type 35, the wonderful DS, and this the Renault Alpine all are gorgeous to behold.
Errm, imo there's just a few more than that :Delage D8-120S
Talbot-Lago T150
Delahaye 135M
...to name but a few
Ha Hey HAB,
I love them, lovely and beautiful each and everyone of them, but not GORGEOUS or timeless like the 3 I mentioned.
Surely this is the perfect car for Project Splitwheel?
Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, so it's a bit unusual and obviously designed to perform well in competition - great for rallying / hillclimbs?
On top of that, it would be very green - tiny, lightweight, aerodynamic and could use a small engine (even the 1 litre triple from the Aygo, which has more power than the original A110 engine...)
It's very different to what's out there already and doesn't step on the toes of the seven.
Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, so it's a bit unusual and obviously designed to perform well in competition - great for rallying / hillclimbs?
On top of that, it would be very green - tiny, lightweight, aerodynamic and could use a small engine (even the 1 litre triple from the Aygo, which has more power than the original A110 engine...)
It's very different to what's out there already and doesn't step on the toes of the seven.
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