1974 Alpine A110 Works Rally
- Engine
- 1.796L OHC inline-four with dual Weber carburettors, ~175 bhp
Alpine A110 chassis 18393, one of the last competition cars assembled at the Dieppe factory, was first registered in October 1974 and made its debut at the 1974 Tour de Corse, where Jean-Pierre Nicolas drove it to second overall. It subsequently contested the 1975 Rallye Monte-Carlo, the Critérium Alpin — which it won — and several other French events before passing into private hands. After decades in storage and a spell in Japan, the car was repatriated to Europe and restored to its original Tour de Corse appearance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €240,000 – €280,000
- 1974-10-21 → 1975-10-01Factory deliverySA Alpine, Dieppefull documentation
Registered in France as a works competition vehicle. Chassis used in factory-entered and leased competitive events throughout 1975.
- 1975-10-01 → 1981Private saleAdema company, Côte d'Orpartial documentation
Vehicle was maintained by this company but kept out of motorsport competition entirely during this period.
- 1981 → 1993Private saleJacques Mettevalpartial documentation
Commissioned a restoration at the Alpine Centre in Boulogne-Billancourt, though the work remained incomplete when the car was sold.
- 1993 → 2008Private saleMr Ikouta, Japanpartial documentation
Car was acquired in an unfinished state and remained in Japan until it was offered for sale in 2008.
- 2010 →Acquisition unknownEuropean owner post-2010partial documentation
Car returned to Europe and was fully restored to its original Tour de Corse appearance, retaining numerous factory-original components.
Competition
- 1974FIA World Rally Championship1974 Tour de CorseDriver: Jean-Pierre Nicolas2nd overall
Nicolas led convincingly after the opening stages but was overhauled by Andruet in a Lancia Stratos; co-driver was Vincent Laverne. Car ran a 1,860 cc Mignotet engine and won five special stages.
- 1975FIA World Rally Championship1975 Rallye Monte-CarloDriver: Jean-Pierre NicolasDNF — retired on Stage 12
Nicolas and Laverne were second overall before retirement at Col de Pontis; they had won four stages in snowy conditions around Ardèche. Co-driver was Vincent Laverne.
- 19751975 Mont Blanc RallyDriver: Michel Alibelli2nd overall
Driven by the 1972 French National Rally Champion from Savoy; described as an outstanding performance.
- 19751975 Ronde CévenoleDriver: Francis VincentDNF — punctures and gearbox failure
Young Parisian driver loaned the car by Alpine race director Jacques Cheinisse; mechanical and tyre issues ended his run.
- 19751975 Rallye d'AntibesDriver: Jacques HenryDNF — retired while leading
Co-driven by Maurice Gélin; Henry had been heading the event before being forced to stop.
- 1975-05-011975 Criterium Lucien BianchiDriver: Maurice Mercier4th in class
Car was leased to privateer Mercier, who was navigated by Michele Grandgagnage. Fitted with the 1,796 cc engine at this stage.
- 1975-06-011975 Criterium AlpinDriver: Jean-Pierre Nicolas1st overall
Held on 7–8 June; car fitted with Mignotet 1,796 cc engine. Co-driver Vincent Laverne. Competed against strong rivals including Andruet, Darniche, and Henry.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1975ModificationAlpine factory
The original 1,860 cc Mignotet engine was replaced by the factory with a 1,796 cc unit — the same specification used to win the 1973 Rallye Sanremo — prior to the car being leased out to privateers.
- 1975ModificationAlpine factory
Engine changed again to a Mignotet 1,796 cc unit ahead of the Critérium Alpin.
- 2010Restoration
Full restoration completed following the car's return to Europe, returning it to its 1974 Tour de Corse livery and specification. Many original factory components were retained.
Car was fitted with a 1,796 cc engine upon completion of the restoration.
- —RestorationAlpine Centre, Boulogne-Billancourt
Restoration commissioned but left incomplete; scope of work undertaken at the Alpine Centre is not fully described in the record.
Work was initiated by owner Jacques Metteval around 1981 but remained unfinished when the car was sold in 1993.
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