Chambrille Classic Hillclimb
Classic Alpines surprise moderns in frenetic competition
Alpines were the stars of the Chambrille historic hill climb, including two A110s separated by half a century – Christophe Millet’s 1967 Berlinette and Claude Gaillard’s 2017 A110 – which lined up with the 1972 and 1977 A310s of Michel Turquois and Michel Mabilleau. The 1967 car consistently bettered the times of the 2017 incarnation.
Alpine A110 1300S
La Rochelle-based Christophe Millet surprised Renault by beating its modern namesake with a recently-restored classic Alpine A110, despite a deficit of 500cc and being 50 years older.
‘Since my uncle owned one over 40 years ago, I dreamed of owning an Alpine’, enthused Christophe, ‘but it had to be the right car. After searching across France, I found a totally original Berlinette in Lyon two years ago – three previous owners, fully documented history and a lighttouch restoration. It required only work on the drivetrain and equipping it for rallying.
‘After local shakedown events last year and with a good team behind it, the Alpine was put to the test in February’s Monte-carlo Historique. The start in Reims was followed by probably five of the best days of my life. We finished down the field – but you’ve got to start somewhere!
‘I don’t usually do hill climbs, I prefer rallying, but because my uncle is the organiser and Alpine is the featured marque, today is different.’
Triumph Herald works
‘I bought this Triumph Herald 1200 coupé from rally preparation specialist Denis Gannay last year, principally because I wanted something more suitable for historic rallying than my MGS and Porsche,’ said owner Jean-camille Moreaux. ‘Reputedly it started life as a works rally car in the 1962/63 seasons, before being later being sold into private ownership.
‘Early this century it came to France where Denis restored it, but since acquiring it I have carried out further work, retrimming the interior, improving the dashboard and uprating the dampers and suspension. Today is its first outing since I finished the work. On a fast and testing course, it has performed well and improved roadholding has enabled me to set some good times on the hill.
‘I want to take time to research the Herald’s history and see if I can establish its provenance as an ex-works car and its subsequent private owner competition history. Hopefully I can find a good story behind what is a good car’.