ORIGINS: THE BIRTH OF ALPINE

In dealer a rear-engined 1950, Jean Dieppe-born Rédélé Renault started Renault 4CV, rallying despite

its tiny gearbox, 747cc engine and went and threespeed on to

develop a class He was win some good in the 4CV-based at Coupe it. In 1954 Des specials. he Alpes had

rally his own and car the company, following named year created after

his Alps, happy using hunting rear-engined grounds Renault in the

4CVs and Dauphines clad in more

stylish aluminium and glassŒibre

bodies.

However, for the 1961 A110,

instead of using 4CV or Dauphine

parts, he upgraded Œirst to the R8

Gordini engine and then the 1.4-litre

from the Renault 16 TS.

With a good power-to-weight

ratio and a steel-backbone chassis,

the A110 was lightweight and

plucky, and it won rallies all over

Europe.

Renault bought the Dieppebased operation in 1973, and the

deal was crowned when Alpine

won the Œirst ever World Rally

Championship manufacturers’ title

that year.