Alpine

France, 1955 – date

Automobiles Alpine srl, Dieppe

This is one of the more successful French sports cars based on the rear-engined Renault, though production has been limited; 350 were built in 1964. The first model was the Mille Miles (so named because of its successful début in the hands of its sponsor, M. Redélé, in the 1955 Mille Miglia), which used Renault 4CV mechanical components welded to two/four-seater fiberglass coupé bodywork. It won its class in the 1956 Mille Miglia, and by 1957 buyers had the choice of two-seater coupé or cabriolet bodies as well as more powerful engines; the 845cc Dauphine or a bored-out 904cc development. 103mph was now claimed from the more sporting types and the 1959 export price was $3.300. The Alpine’s technical specification followed Renault evolution, and 1961 saw two new body styles: a ‘2 plus 2’ GT coupé and an aerodynamic berlinette. Power output also went up: 77bhp from 998cc in 1961 and 87bhp from the Gordini-tuned 1.100cc unit available in 1964, when twin-camshafts and hemi-head variants were introduced, plus some single-seater racing versions, evolved in consultation with Ron Tauranac of the Brabham organization. Both Formula 2 and Formula 3 Alpines had 5-speed gearboxes and disc brakes all round, but a twin-cam Gordini-Renault unit powered the former and a 996cc push-rod engine the latter. The Formula 3 model was quite successful, winning the Prix de Paris race, and gaining Henri Grandsire the French Formula 3 championship in 1964. The sports Alpines scored a class win in the Tour de France, as well as winning the Index of Thermal Efficiency at Le Mans, and 1965 brought them a Coupé des Alpes in the Alpine Rally and victory in the Nürburgring 500-Kilometre event. The ‘hottest’ version on general sale now offered 115bhp and 127mph from 1.3-litres. Disc brakes all round were introduced for all 1967 Alpines and 4-speed all-synchromesh gearboxes made standard, a 5-speed box costing 950 francs extra. The biggest engine listed was a 1.296cc unit developing 120bhp, but 1968 saw the adoption of the 1.470cc 16. Meanwhile Alpine was assuming the role of Renault’s competition department, with energetic support for F3, and the introduction of a rear-engined sports car with tubular frame and 3-litre V8 power unit designed by Gordini. This was first seen in 1967 1000 Kilometer of Paris, and finished 8th at Le Mans in 1968, in which year the smaller Alpines won the Index of Performance.
Alpine repeated this feat in 1969, but thereafter the company concentrated on rallying, having already won the Alpine and Czech events in 1968, and the Alpine and the Three Cities in 1969. The 1970 score was headed by victories in the Italian and Acropolis rallies. The Alpine marque reached its zenith in 1971, with a 1-2-3 victory in the Monte Carlo Rally, a second win in the Acropolis, and the manufacturers’ championship. In addition the French national rally (J.P. Nicolas) and F3 (P. Depailler) champions won their titles in Alpines. A new Alpine touring model for 1971 was the Alpine A310 2+2 coupé with 140bhp 1.605cc engine, 5-speed gearbox, and servo-assisted discs all round. This continued into 1972, along with the two-seater Tour de France Alpines, powered by 1.289cc and 1.565cc units. Alpines are assembled abroad by Renault affiliates in Bulgaria, Brazil, Mexico and Spain. Interestingly, these overseas Alpines accounted for more cars in 1970 than the parent factory at Dieppe – 1640 as against 360

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS

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