Alpine A110

The Alpine A110 reappeared in 2017 in the same form as the legendary A110 model that was produced between 1963 to 1977. The new model follows the same basic concept as its predecessor. It is a light car with a relatively small engine with high performance. The predecessor had a fiberglass body on a steel frame and stern motor. The new model is constructed in aluminum and has a 1,8 liter turbo engine centrally located at the rear.

French classics 8

Posted 09/11/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

On the first Sunday of every month, car enthusiasts gather in a deserted shopping center outside Perpignan. Then the area is suddenly filled with hundreds of people and cars. After about an hour, everyone has disappeared one by one.

It's not just about French cars, but cars that have been popular on French roads - as well as cars that the French have taken to heart. Today, the French import vintage cars from all over the world. US cars and English sports cars get French passion plates. One factor that makes it interesting to view car collections here is the dry climate, which means that the cars do not rust. Then you can still study cars that have long since been turned into soil at home. Many of the cars are still driven by owners who are unaware that the old cars have become valuable, but fortunately many are starting to take care of them. Several of them can be found in the pictures in this post.

Sports cars

Alpine A110

reappeared in 2017 in the same form as the legendary A110 model that was produced between 1963 to 1977. The new model follows the same basic concept as its predecessor. It is a light car with a relatively small engine with high performance. The predecessor had a fiberglass body on a steel frame and stern engine. The new model is constructed in aluminum and has the engine centrally located at the rear. It is a 1,8 liter turbo engine that produces from 249 to 300 HP depending on the model. A very beautiful car - one of the few cars you could buy just for its looks. The pictured car has a special decoration which is the same as Alpine's Formula 1 team uses in the Formula 1 model A521.

Aston Martin GT8

This model was produced from 2017 as a special model in only 150 copies. A 4,7 liter V8 that produces 446 HP. Despite a lot of "trim", the weight has been reduced by 100 kg. Here you really have to take care to take it easy over the speed bumps and keep a good distance to the concrete edges of the car park.

Ferrari 308 GTS

Few cars look as good in photos as the Ferrari 308. It has clean, marked and straight lines - a design that has stood the test of time very well. The model was in production from 1975 to 1985. "308" stands for 3 liters and 8 cylinders. When the 308 was launched, many hardcore Ferrari fans believed that 8 cylinders were not suitable for any Ferrari. There were supposed to be 12 cylinders. Today, Ferrari has been very successful with its 8-cylinder cars - all full-fledged Ferraris.

DeTomaso Pantera

It's not often you get to see a DeTomaso Pantera, and even more rarely a yellow one. The DeTomaso 874 Pantera was equipped with a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 engine, mid-rear. It both sounds and runs really well! But Ford was not just a subcontractor to De Tomaso. They bought into the company and sold the cars in the US through their Lincoln-Mercury dealer network. The collaboration with Ford lasted from 1971 to 1975. The car pictured was probably produced during this period. Incidentally, I have never noticed the plaque with "Power by Ford" before.

Porsche Boxster

The Porsche 986 Boxster was the first Boxster model to hit the market. It was produced from 1996 to 2003 with water-cooled boxer engines. Technically, the Boxster is a more pure sports car than its big brother the 911, in that the engine is centrally located behind, that is, it sits in front of the rear axle. The 911, by comparison, has a pure stern engine. The special thing about the pictured car is the colour. It suits the car, although it takes courage to choose such a colour.

Rallye2 – the top model in the Simca 1000 series

Simca Rally 2

The Simca 1000 was cheap, especially in France. Well, the cars were cheap and small, but they were tough and got an image for going really well. What contributed to the raised image was the Rallye edition. 4 different engines have been delivered in the Rallye edition over the years. The pictured model is the Rallye 2 – a street racer at an affordable price. I don't know exactly how much the car in the picture produces, but in the standard version it produced something like 80 horses. It can create a lot of fun in a car that only weighs 800 kg. This car must be like driving a go-cart on the road.

Do you remember these?

Lancia beta

I've seen the Lancia Beta in a 5-door version before, but can't remember when. I marveled at the condition of the car in the photos. It seemed brand new without being newly refurbished. The model was produced between 1975 and 1984. It received a significant facelift in 1980 which, in my opinion, did not make the car any more beautiful. The car in the picture is from before 1980. It was equipped with a 1600 engine.

Fiat 600 Multipla

This must have been the most popular car at the meeting. It was almost impossible to take a picture of it. I think the kids especially thought this was a fun vehicle. And the Multipla really was a phenomenal vehicle in the 60s. Just over 3,5 metres, 700 kg heavy and still room for up to 5 people with 2 rows of seats and 6 (!) people with 3 rows of seats. The platform of the model originates from the Fiat 600 and one can find several common design elements. The Multipla received reinforcements in the undercarriage based on components taken from the Fiat 1100.

Ford Taunus Transit

These cars were probably just as often referred to as Taunus van than the Taunus Transit. The model was produced until 1965 and equipped with engines from the Taunus 17M series. The cars were built at Ford's plant in Cologne. British Ford built another model, Fort Thames. Both models were represented in Norway. It has been a long time since I have seen a Taunus Transit in Norway. The two cars belong to different generations. It was Volkswagen's T2's predecessor, the T1, which was produced at the same time as the Taunus Transit.

Simca Aronde 60 – French top seller in the 60s

Peugeot 204. 4 meters long with one wheel in each corner.

Austin Mni 1000. There are always more great Minis at the collections.

There will be more photos from the car collection in new posts, including the Renault 5 which celebrates 50 years this year - and the Renault Turbo 2.

See

RVA66 – the organizer's website

Alpine – Fresh French Kicks

Posted 03/05/2021 by Anders de Lange

Driving and motorsport have always been popular in France. This has been the case from the car's infancy until today. It is practiced both on closed tracks and partly among keen French motorists on normal roads.

A number of French car manufacturers have developed and produced cars that satisfy all needs from racing cars to fast passenger cars. Before 1940, there were several car brands that even today give enthusiasts wet looks. Car brands such as Bugatti, Hotchkiss, Delahaye and Delage evoke fond memories of speed and luxury. But the war that started in 1939 put an end to the good old days. When the world was to start anew in 1945, the poor economy and rebuilding after the destruction of the war had the first priority. Driving and other luxuries were given lower priority and small Spartan cars were on most people's wish lists.

Jean Redele

While motorsport was waiting for better times, the most impatient French began to compete with their small and underpowered cars. One car model that did particularly well was the small Renault 4CV. It was discovered by several drivers and in particular by a driver named Jean Rédélé. He was born and raised in the car industry since his father was a large car dealer who sold Renault. Young Jean combined work and leisure in his father's company while planning his own future. He enthusiastically participated in car races with his Renault and understood the requirements that had to be placed on a good sports car. The first attempt with its own car brand was a small sports car called the Marquis, which was based on the Renault 4cv and was to be sold in the USA. It never went into production but provided useful experience. Jean Rédélé now had experience both as a motor sports athlete and as a constructor.

A new car brand was created

Rédélé started a new company to produce a small sports car partly based on his first design. The name was Alpine and a future star was born. With a new car model and a small engine of 747 ccm with quite a few horsepower, the start for the new car brand was quite a puzzle. But it helped that the innovation really looked like a proper sports car. With a very light fiberglass body, the new car was a winner in many competitions. Eventually, the factory managed to extract more horsepower from the small machine so that it increased from 21 to 43 horses on the fastest model. Although this model was further developed, the management of the factory realized that a new model was needed to secure the future.

Alpine A110

The collaboration with Renault meant that Alpine had access to the new Renault 8 which was introduced in 1962. The technology from the new Renault 8 fitted perfectly with a further developed Alpine. Thus the new Alpine A110 was created. The new model was produced in many variants and could be delivered with several engine options, where the most powerful standard engine really accelerated the beautiful sports car.

Competitor to Porsche

In motorsport, this model was also a winner with victories in a number of important races such as the Rallye Acropolis in 1973. Another important race was the Rally Monte-Carlo where there were 3 double victories in 1973. This happened in the same year that Renault took over the factory. Alpine had already started development work on the successor to the A110 in 1968. The new model was to be moved up the market and in 1971 the Alpine 310 was presented. It later got a V6 engine which gave the car a top speed of 230 km/h. Now Alpine became a competitor to Porsche. Alpine remained until the end a small car manufacturer where annual production did not exceed 1000 cars per year. year. In 1994, the last Alpine rolled off the assembly line.

Specifications Alpine A110 1600S

Engine: Renault 1565 cc 125 hp
Length 405 cm
Width 150 cm
Top speed 210 km/h

See

renault — Alpine A110 and the new model in the background.

marquis — When the French challenged Porsche

Exciting car history from Anders de Lange's archives

Barn cars at auction

Posted 03/05/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

One of spring's most beautiful adventures is when patinated collector cars are dragged out of old barns to go under the hammer. Several of the cars may have risen considerably in value since they were driven into "long-term parking".

I have studied the spring auction overview in French Interencheres. Two long-stored French gems are currently being highlighted. A real barn car – the Delahaye 135 cabriolet and a Spanish-built version of the Alpine A110 – or Alpine Fasa 1300 as they are called. The latter car is estimated at around 80 euros. The Delahaye is expected to go for just over €000 – and believe it or not, that's actually cheap!

Delahye 135

In the 60s, cars in pre-war livery were not particularly attractive. So in 1965 this beautiful Delahaye 135 was backed into a basement garage. Now the 1949 model will go under the hammer. After 66 years, everything is intact, untouched, stainless and patinated. The cabriolet solution is signed by Chapron, which built cabriolets for Citroën, among others. The gear transmission is a preselector of the Cotal type. You select the next gear via the gear lever on the steering wheel. The gear change itself takes place when you clutch. The Cotal solution had an electromagnetic clutch where you only needed to push the clutch.

The history of the Delahay tells that the car was restored in 1956 in connection with a resale at a dealer. Then it got a new, stronger engine - the same one that was in the slightly sportier Delahaye 135 MS. The car then also got new paint - perhaps to "decorate the brother". Everything was carried out at a then well-known "garage" that specialized in Delahaye.

The best barn cars are those that have never been restored and are still virtually rust-free.

Affordable barn cars

Not all auction objects are dusty barn cars. Several private collections - referred to as amateur collections - will also go under the hammer, including one in Grenoble and one in Maine-et-Loire. In these collections there are cars that are neither rare nor valuable. A rust-free Peugeot 304 with extremely low mileage and a sunroof is an example of a car that doesn't cost a fortune. Here is a list of cars we follow - and for which we can eventually summarize the real selling prices:

Auction cars at Interencheres that we can all afford. Car brand and price estimated by experts. Sale prices will be added in due course. Cars without a sale price can be searched for Interencheres' auction calendar for May and June. The prices are e.g. VAT (tva) *) and fees.

* 1949 Delahaye 135 - €100 - 000
1957 Renault Dauphine – €4 – €000
1969 Autobianchi Panoramica – €3 – €600
* 1971 Alpine-Fasa 1300 – €79 – 000 (surcharge €89)
1973 Ford Escort 1300 GT – €2 – 000
1973 Opel Manta 1600 – €3 – 000
1974 Peugeot 304 Coupé – €2 – 000
1975 Peugeot 504 Coupé – €8 – 000
1976 Peugeot 304 – €1 – 000
1980 Matra Murena – €6 – 800
1980 Renault 5 TX – €3 – 400
1988 Lancia Delta HF 4WD – €10 – 000

The pictures are taken from the auction lists of Interencheres.

Spanish-built Alpine A110

What's up with the Alpine A110? A fiberglass body on a tubular frame with mechanics from the stern-engined Renault 8. Low weight, sophisticated chassis, small trimmed engines with – for its time – high performance. These are cars that belong on winding mountain roads in the Alps and Pyrenees. The yesterday Good, is heard good and – not least – to be looks fantastic - in all its simplicity. They are relatively rare, with low production volume. In Norway, only a handful are registered. We found an Alpine in Interencheres' auction listings. It is about an Alpine Fasa 1300 – a Spanish-built version of the Alpine A110. It is the same car that was built in France. The reason why they were also built in the neighboring country was to make the cars more affordable for Spanish buyers. This was in the era before the EU with protectionist taxes and fees.

Estimated price determined by the auction house's automotive expert is €79 - 000. With VAT and fees, it is not unlikely that the price will exceed one million Norwegian kroner. This is in line with – albeit in excess of – what the cars are sold for at European car exchanges. Something that makes this object special is that it has only driven 89 km and is original - even the original fitted radio. Hope it is bought to be driven with - not for storage.

Auction appeals to professional buyers. If you and I don't buy, it's a comfort that these cars may one day come to a car dealer near you.

practical information

Auctions in France are affected by Covid restrictions like everywhere else. Each action has a limit on how many participants can be physically present. If you arrive unannounced, you may be refused entry. Fortunately, you can bid online - just like Norwegian online auctions where you have registered in advance. You can place a maximum bid or follow it all online from your home office. The large auctions allow the cars to stand on their own responsibility for up to 12-14 days. You then have to pay somewhere between NOK 150 and 450 per day. Remember that cars that have been standing for several years cannot be taken straight out onto the road either, even if they look nice. If you do not provide your own trailer, a company that can carry out transport is often listed. It's not terribly expensive - at least to another place in France.

*) Value added tax

When you study a car at Interencheres, it will say "TVA récupérable" if VAT can be deducted after export - or on presentation of an export certificate. This is most common at auctions of commercial vehicles, company or rental cars. At certain auctions, they state that VAT refunds are only permitted on presentation of an export certificate. Other auction objects are offered on the condition that VAT is refunded not possible. It means nothing when you are looking for a rust-free Peugeot 304 for NOK 10, but if you are drooling over the Delahay, you should get a written answer in advance.

Video from an amateur car collection in Grenoble. Everything will go under the hammer on 29 May 2021.

See

Here they find the Delahaye after 60 years (Youtube French language)

French classics 1

Posted 03/04/2018 by Terje Bjørnstad

I've been here before - many times. Canet in Roussilon is located on the sea side of the city of Perpignan in the very south of France. It is a small town community. Very quiet in winter and hectic in summer.

We are here because of the monthly muster of vehicles. Most of them are French. I see French people here who walk right past Porsches and Ferraris, but who are completely blown away by old, dear, French classics, - for example a special edition Renault 4 or Citroën 2 CV Sahara.

I am here with my wife. She eagerly stops at a Maserati Cabriolet with white leather seats. -See! There is a monogram embroidered on the headrests!

There are a lot of people here, especially the audience. Much more than at the Cars & Coffee events at home. The Italian Gran Turismo car gets many admiring glances, but the conversation around the French classics is more lively. -Ah, a Belieau! - A Panhard! Oh-la-la, Not bad, that one!

It is the first Sunday of every month car pattern on the "Canet". For us, it takes 50 minutes by car to get here. But it's only pleasant when the trip goes on roads as shown in the picture above. I have taken photos of French classics that I fell for this time.

Alpine A110

Alpine built racing and sports cars based on Renaults. The first models were based on well-known Renault models such as the 4CV, Dauphine and R8. In the 70s, Alpine was merged with Renault - and formed Renault Sport. Last year they launched a successor to the legendary A110. Then the Alpine name returned.

Renault 8

Do you like the Alpine A110? It has been developed on the basis of the Renault 8. The Renault 8 is a good basis for building a properly entertaining and fun sports car.

Renault 4 Fourgonnette with windows

It's amazing to see how many Renault 4s are still on the road. I'm sure they'll still be on the road for decades to come – unless the rest of France follows Paris and bans cars over 20 years old from driving.

Renault 11 Turbo

In the 80s, turbo cars were not as common as they are today. If you had a turbo, it usually said "Turbo" in capital letters. The Renault 11 Turbo has a 1,4 liter engine that produces between 105-115 HP.

Panhard PL17 Tigers

This is very French and a thought in particular. It is equipped with a rather small motor. The pictured model, "Tigre", is the top model - and has a 2-cylinder boxer engine that produces 50 horses. I read that the Citroën GS inherited its boxer engines from Panhard. Citroën took over Panhard in 1965.

Simca Aronde P60

Simca Aronde was more affordable than Panhard. It had bigger and better engines, but less space than the Panhard.

Renault 16

It amazes me that such a popular car as the Renault 16 is so rare to see today. It was a precursor to today's modern family cars. Produced between 1964 and 1980.

French cars — There is a sporty touch over classic Renaults. Many therefore choose to restore their Renaults in a sporty version. This one looks original. The Renault 16 was a typical car for family men who liked to drive, and who preferred a fresh, smooth-driving family car to a sedate competitor. It is said that there were two camps among car buyers in France: The sophisticated, who chose Citroën, - and the practical, who chose Renault.

Peugeot 504

Produced between 1968 and 1983. 504 were durable cars. Too bad they are almost gone too.

Volkswagen Golf I Convertible

Taking this one, despite it being a German. This Golf 1 Cabriolet was in very good condition. Like new down to the smallest, visible detail.

Porsche 911 (964) Turbo

Finally another German. It could be said that the 964 was the first model to form the transition from classic 911s to the 911 we know today.

As the title indicates, this is the first edition of "French classics". The next ones will come as I visit this great car collection on Canet at the leisure marina in Roussillon.

See

Classic Catalan rally cars

Posted 30/10/2016 by Terje Bjørnstad

tramontana — A magnificent couple. A Renault Alpine A110 and a rally-rigged Alfa Romeo GTV.

A rally named after the wind that blows between the mountains.

I was present when 60 participating cars lined up outside the casino in the small French Mediterranean town of Saint Cyprien ahead of the 12th Tramontane Classic Rallye. After 60 cars had been lined up and approved by the technical inspectors, it was time for refreshments and a briefing for the participants. A limit of 60 cars was set. Since the race takes place on normal country roads, the number of participants must be limited so that other traffic is not burdened. The first stage was no less than 20 miles on a late autumnal Saturday evening. After a stop for breakfast, the participants return to the casino at Saint Cyprien around one o'clock the next day.

A classic rally in France is not just about cars. The Tramontane Classic Rallye is also about social gatherings and experiences. The cars are not just for display. They are driven at events like this. Several cars bear the mark of having taken part in previous races. In this company, a bit of rubble on the front is just decorative. It is a sign that the cars have been driven. Far too many classics and vintage cars are left in the garage.

For a car enthusiast like me, this was like Christmas Eve. I allowed myself to be enthralled by the meeting's two Renault Alpine A110s, - in my opinion the world's most beautiful sports car with its ultra-light fiberglass body and rear engine taken from Renault's passenger car programme. Some of them are said to be tuned to over 200 HP.

I also let myself be fascinated by the Sunbeam Rapier, which came humming with a wonderful engine sound. When the cars arrive, you can sense that some of them are a little difficult to drive at low speeds, partly because of tuned engines, partly as a result of a long time without having been in use. The Sunbeam ran like a brand new car. And come to think of it, this model has been in Rally Monte Carlo for as long as I can remember. The Tramontane is almost like a miniature Rallye Monte Carlo.

Unfortunately, I did not get to witness the start of the race, because I had to move on to a dinner appointment 45 minutes away, - along the same roads as the race was to run. Look at the pictures and ask yourself: When was the last time you saw a Matra Bagheera, - or a rally-rigged Fiat 850 Coupe?

Pictures from the Tramontane Classic Rallye

tramontane. — A rally rigged Renault 5 is ready to face the dark mountain roads of the night.

tramontane classic rallye — All rallies in the Mediterranean have (or should have) at least one Sunbeam Rapier, often driven by distinguished Englishmen.

Catalan rally — The Fiat Ritmo 130 TC fit exceptionally well in this company.

Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 in front of a rally rigged Porsche 911.

The service team can get a lot to do in a classic rally. Here, a BMW 3 Series arrives at the starting line on a service car.

See

Fresh, French kicks - the story of Alpine

Announcement of the race for 2023