Alpine at 70: the French collection

By Charlie Calderwood

| 15 Aug 2025

Classic & Sports Car – Alpine’s 70th anniversary: the French collection

It all started with Jean Rédélé razzing around in his Renault 4CV.

The youngest Renault dealer in France following WW2, Rédélé cut his teeth – metaphorically, but perhaps also those of the transmission variety – wringing every last horsepower out of his 747cc saloon as he barrelled through Normandy’s famous bocage.

Before long, in 1954, a quest for further speed led him to fit lower, lighter coupé bodywork to a 4CV chassis, and a year later he founded his own company, Alpine, to do just that at scale.

Rallying is key to Alpine’s heritage

The scale has never been that large, though.

Official estimates are that only 45,000 Alpines have been built to date, and 25,000 of those have been in just the past eight years thanks to the revived A110.

Every year Alpine enthusiasts come to Dieppe, where this small but celebrated marque has always been based. From 30 May-1 June, however, it hosted a big blowout – the biggest yet.

Alpine is 70 years old in 2025, and the marque is in its rudest health since at least the 1970s, having just launched two new models.

France’s most famous sports-car maker celebrated its 70th birthday with a huge gathering at the home of Alpine in Dieppe, Normandy

When the 60th-anniversary event happened in 2015, the brand had been dormant for 20 years; this time more than 1000 Alpines returned home, representing around 2.5% of all the cars produced so far.

Almost every Alpine variant was present on the show field, and the few gaps left were filled by the maker’s own pop-up museum at the centre of it all.

It was in that display space where Alpine enthusiasts were able to see one of the three Michelotti ‘Marquis’ prototypes.

The Italian stylist was contracted to style the first true Alpine, the A106, so named because of the Renault 4CV’s internal model code of ‘106E’ – the car is essentially a sporting body dropped on to the lower monocoque of a 4CV.

Dieppe embraces its association with Alpine

The arrival of the Renault Dauphine gave Alpine access to larger, 845cc engines (and, later, those tuned to Gordini specification), prompting the release of the new A108 in 1958.

Again styled by Michelotti, the A108 not only set the brand’s visual identity for decades to come, but also moved over to a backbone chassis similar to that of a Lotus Elan or TVR.

While the chassis of the new model was bespoke, however, Rédélé stuck to a low-investment, labour-intensive system that ensured all chassis components were either made from simple steel box-sections that could be handmade or, in the case of the stamped front axle, lifted straight from a Renault.

Licence-built Alpines including the Willys Interlagos and Dinalpin featured in the ‘pop-up’ museum

This approach allowed for cheap changes in bodywork, and Alpine duly offered 2+2 and cabriolet models alongside the more popular and numerous coupé version.

It also made these cars an easy first step for nascent car manufacturers in developing markets: the A108 was licence-built by Willys-Overland in Brazil as the Interlagos, while the A110 would also be produced in Mexico, Spain and Bulgaria.

All but the rare ‘Bulgaralpine’ were present at the anniversary bash.

The local Alpine emporium’s colourful shopfront

Rédélé’s tactic meant that he had to follow Renault’s product planning evolution, and the A110 arrived in 1963 to move over to Renault 8 running gear, including larger engines and a switch from a radiator at the front of the engine to the back.

Late Alpine A110s even made use of Alfa Romeo tail-lights after the stocks of R8 parts ran dry.

Especially in R16 TS-powered 1600S form, the A110 proved to be Alpine’s seminal moment.

Rally success, which up to that point had largely been limited to class wins, became overall victories.

An Alpine A110 GT4 and its proud owner, who wears their passion with pride

Monte-Carlo honours came in 1971 and ’73, and the marque took the inaugural World Rally Championship in 1973.

Renault finally absorbed Alpine that same year, allowing the creation of the Renault 5 Alpine (badged Gordini in the UK, thanks to a clash with the Chrysler Alpine); in ’76 the two companies’ sporting divisions merged, too.

The last act of Rédélé’s leadership had been the introduction of the A310 in 1971, and, although it’s often seen as a successor to the A110, the cars remained on sale together for six years.

Alpine finally moved over to the A310 as its sole product in 1977, when the car adopted PRV V6 power.

The Alpine A108 came as a coupé, cabriolet or, as here, a 2+2

Ever-increasing numbers of Renault-branded products were built at the Dieppe factory, too, becoming Renault’s go-to plant for low-volume work.

This included the outlandish Renault 5 Turbo, but also the later Renault Sport Clios and Méganes.

It seemed logical to Renault, therefore, to name the A310’s 1984 successor the Renault-Alpine GTA, of which a turbocharged variant was released the following year.

That car developed into the A610, by then badged under the Alpine marque again, but the name lay dormant after Dieppe switched to producing the Renault Sport Spider in 1995.

Alpines took over the seafront showground in Dieppe, France

Rebirth came thanks to a joint venture with Caterham, which would help to offset development costs, although the British firm later pulled out.

Renault decided to continue with the revived Alpine A110 and acquired Caterham’s 50% stake in the project.

The car was released in 2017 to widespread acclaim, and it has become by far the most successful Alpine model to date.

This, combined with the rebranding of the Renault Formula One team to Alpine in 2021, has led to a surprising revival of the brand: it now boasts two EV models alongside the A110, which is soon to be replaced by an electric successor itself.

There were many 21st-century Alpine A110s

Unlike at many points in its history, Alpine’s future now looks secure for years to come.

“It’s all about passion,” explains Jean-Pascal Dauce, who put together the pop-up museum at Dieppe. “If you want big numbers, that’s not Alpine.”

Porsche has built far more 911s, Jean-Pascal admits, while plenty of cars offer greater power and faster top speeds.

Yet for many, an Alpine gives a feeling few other cars can match.

The reborn Alpine A110 has been a springboard for the modern marque

Jean-Pascal proudly lists famous owners of the new A110, including Gordon Murray, James May and a number of F1 drivers.

“I’m not saying we are the best,” concludes Jean-Pascal. “I’m just saying we have always delivered something special. That’s the DNA of the brand.”

The 1000-plus Alpine owners who attended the marque’s 70th birthday celebrations in Dieppe clearly agree. Let’s meet some of them.

Hervé & Chantel Busnel: Alpine A310 V6

The Alpine A310 was the French marque’s last car with founder Jean Rédélé at the helm

Hervé Busnel’s attachment to Alpine is one born of patriotism: he had lusted after an A310 as a child, having grown up with it as the sole French sports car in the face of countless competitors from Germany, Italy, Britain and Japan.

Hervé restored his 1981 A310 V6 himself, taking it from a wreck – “it was never meant to be driven again,” he says – to its current immaculate condition in just two and a half years.

Bernd Orie: Alpine A106

The Alpine A106 was named after the Renault 4CV’s internal model code, ‘106E’

Just 650 A106s were made, making it the rarest of all Alpine products.

Oddly, however, Dieppe still built the occasional A106 long after the A108 had succeeded it, some even using later Dauphine engines.

Bernd Orie’s car is a 4CV-based example, which he says is a blessing when it comes to keeping the car on the road: spare parts remain available despite the model’s rarity.

Hermann Galati: Alpine A110 1600S

This Alpine A110 1600S has belonged to enthusiast Hermann Galati for more than three decades

Having driven over from Switzerland, Hermann Galati is no stranger to the Alpine passion: he has owned his A110 for 32 years.

Hermann first learnt of the model while playing Top Trumps, and he decided he had to buy one the first time he spotted one on the street.

Although it has been completely restored mechanically, its outer bodywork is original.

“It’s terrible to drive,” he says, only half-joking, “but it gives you a sensation like nothing else.”

Stéphane Sevenou: Renault Alpine GTA Turbo Le Mans

The Renault Alpine GTA Turbo Le Mans previewed some styling cues that appeared on the A610

Stéphane Sevenou got into Alpines after looking for an upgrade from his Renault 5 GT Turbo.

A project to restore an A310 stalled, so he bought this GTA in 2019. The Le Mans is a popular special edition, with more than 300 built from 1990-’91.

It featured a wider body and a restyled front end that would influence the A610 launched later in 1991.

Mechanically it’s easy to look after, Stéphane says, but finding Alpine-specific parts, especially some interior trim items, can be difficult.

André Laurier & Marie Vette: Alpine A110 GT4

The Alpine A110 GT4 is a more practical version of the French sports car

André Laurier grew up in Pau loving all things car-related, and he also owns a Singer Nine.

He lusted after an A110 Berlinette, but the desire for extra passenger space so he could bring his children along for the ride, plus the cheaper prices of GT4s, led him to pick up a 2+2 model in 2003.

André trailered his car to the event, but when he attended the 50th-anniversary party in 2005 he drove up from Pau in one day.

Guy Coquard: Alpine A110 rally replica

This Alpine A110 references Jean-Luc Thérier’s 1971 Rallye Monte-Carlo car

Even among a field of Alpine fanatics, few could match Guy’s commitment to the marque.

This A110 was his first car, and he has owned it ever since, rebuilding it into a replica of Jean-Luc Thérier’s 1971 Rallye Monte-Carlo car, which the Normand drove to second place.

Part of a group of Alpine drivers known as ‘Les Mousquetaires’, Thérier is often the enthusiast’s favourite: he was known for his instinctive driving style, and for practising far less than other pilots.

While otherwise based on the standard road car, Guy’s A110 uses an original engine bored out to 1.8 litres by the Alpine factory.

Gérard du Large: Alpine A110

The new Alpine A110 rejuvenated the once-dormant French marque

Gérard du Large has lusted after an Alpine since he was 18 years old, when he watched the marque’s rally exploits as a teenager, but the cost of insuring a sports car meant he had to put his dreams on hold.

Decades later, Gérard approached retirement with the funds to purchase a sports car as a present to himself.

He initially considered a Porsche, but was scared off by their reputation for high upkeep costs.

Then Alpine’s relaunch was announced, and he has owned his A110 ever since.

Jean-Claude Bernard: Alpine A110 GT4

This restored A110 GT4 travelled from La Rochelle to Dieppe for the Alpine celebration

Although most famous as a Berlinette, the A110 was also available as a 2+2, the GT4.

Unlike the preceding A108 2+2, the GT4’s rear seats are fairly practical, while the car’s styling was much better resolved: it resembled an Alfa Romeo Giulia 105-series coupé in profile.

Jean-Claude Bernard is just the third owner of his example, which he bought in 2005 and fully restored over two years.

He drove the car up from La Rochelle to the Dieppe event.

A serial Renault/Alpine fan, he has also owned an Alpine GTA alongside a whole host of Renault models.

Jean-Marc Cobé: Renault Alpine GTA Turbo

The Renault Alpine GTA Turbo is a comfortable tourer and capable sports car

Jean-Marc has owned his car for a long time, considering he only stumbled across it.

Originally he went looking for a Simca 1000, but when he discovered that he could buy an Alpine GTA Turbo for a similar price, he bought the Renault – and has owned it for the past 21 years.

Its long-distance touring ability is a key part of the appeal: it’s comfortable and has a huge, 72-litre fuel tank over the front axle.

Nonetheless, he says, it keeps up with friends’ smaller sports cars on back-roads.

Jean-Pascal Dauce: the creator turned curator

Jean-Pascal Dauce was the man behind some of Renault and Alpine’s greatest hits

Jean-Pascal Dauce assembled the Alpine pop-up museum display for the Dieppe anniversary event, gathering cars from the Rédélé family, club members and Renault’s own heritage collection.

It’s a practice run for the former engineer, who is heading up a project considering a permanent Alpine museum in Dieppe.

Jean-Pascal has worked in Formula One, as well as on many of Renault Sport’s greatest hits, but it’s the relaunched A110 of which he is most proud.

He bought the new car as soon as it was released, and he owns a restored A110 Berlinette that was used by Renault’s designers for reference when creating the new model.

Jean-Pascal Dauce is part of a project considering a permanent Alpine museum

Jean-Pascal was at Renault when the Caterham joint venture collapsed, and he credits then-Renault COO Carlos Tavares (later to serve as long-time CEO of PSA/Stellantis) with supporting the project, even after its financial prospects changed.

The A110 sports hangovers from that early collaboration with Caterham (which would have spawned a sister model called the C120), such as the lack of a glovebox.

“That’s my fault,” Jean-Pascal explains. “There was too much pressure from Tony Fernandes [then Caterham’s owner] to make it a very particular kind of car.”

Images: Luc Lacey

Enjoy more of the world’s best classic car content every month when you subscribe to C&SC – get our latest deals here

READ MORE

70 years of Alpine

Future classic: Alpine A110

Dieppe diamonds: Alpine A110, A310 and GTA