Renault Alpine A110 1600S

Renault Alpine A110 1600S

The 1969 Renault Alpine A110 1600S is one of the most successful and iconic rally cars ever built. Developed by Jean Redele's Alpine company using Renault components, the A110 combined a featherweight fiberglass body, a rear-mounted engine, and supremely agile handling to dominate rallying in the late 1960s and early 1970s, culminating in winning the inaugural World Rally Championship in 1973.

The 1600S was the ultimate road-going specification, powered by a 1,605cc Renault inline-four engine tuned to produce approximately 138 horsepower. While this figure seems modest, the A110's extraordinary lightness (approximately 680 kg) gave it a power-to-weight ratio that embarrassed many supposedly more powerful cars. The engine was mounted behind the rear axle, giving the car distinctive handling characteristics.

The A110's fiberglass body was mounted on a steel backbone chassis, creating a structure that was simple, light, and reasonably rigid. The fiberglass panels were not structural, meaning they could be quickly replaced after rally damage. The body design, evolved from the earlier A108, featured a distinctive shape with a long, sloping nose, fastback rear, and prominent wheel arches that accommodated the wide tires necessary for competitive rallying.

The rear-engine layout provided excellent traction for acceleration and climbing, advantages that were particularly valuable in rallying. However, it also created a natural tendency toward oversteer, especially during off-throttle moments. In the hands of skilled drivers, this characteristic was exploited to create the spectacular cornering angles that made the A110 so entertaining to watch and so effective in competition.

The suspension used double wishbones at the front with coil springs and a swing arm rear arrangement with coil springs. The setup was designed for rally use, with generous travel and robust construction. Disc brakes at all four corners provided adequate stopping power for the car's light weight.

The A110's rally palmares is extraordinary. Alpine won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1971 and 1973, the Tour de Corse multiple times, and countless national championships across Europe. The 1973 World Rally Championship victory, achieved with a team of factory A110s, remains the car's crowning achievement and cemented its place in motorsport history.

Renault eventually absorbed Alpine, and the A110 continued in production until 1977. Today, the A110 is one of the most desirable French classic cars, commanding prices that reflect its racing heritage, charismatic driving character, and cultural significance. The 1600S specification, as the most powerful road variant, is particularly sought after.