Can Dino come out and play?

While not an F-car, this little beauty has always been a passion for me. When I first saw one screaming through the streets of Paris in 1969 I knew that someday I would acquire one. That someday has come.

I must offer great thanks to David Rochford (245gts) for his assistance in first viewing the car for me in Manchester, England. He lives 40 minutes away, and took the time to check out the car.

Long story short, the car has arrived at its new home in California. I believe that the design is 2nd only to the Dino in both beauty and function. With 2 Dinos, a Boxer, and a Testarossa, I thought it was time for a different Mark.

The Renault Alpine A110B 1600 SC

Thanks for listening.

Jim S.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

You have got to show us a picture, and tell us a little more of the story. That is quite a company to be in and I'll bet there is more. Go!

John

 

John - sorry for the delay on the pictures. Uploading difficulty.

The car was found in northern England. Fully restored (mechanically) 6 years ago. A few rallys under its belt. Engine full race prepared (1850 cc, racing cam, high compression pistons, lightened flywheel, twin Weber 45s, etc., etc.). Puts out approximately 160 hp, weighs 1450 pounds. Screams. Five speed, limited slip differential, independent suspension, roll cage, fire extinguishing system, Halda Tripmaster Computer, on and on. Fun car, quite unusual, and next to the Dinos, simply beautiful.

Jim S.

 

This is how I remember first seeing it.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Jim- I love that car!! Thanks for the pictures & the color is fabulous. I raced in the Tour de France Tour Auto in '99 and I remember seeing one screaming by me in a blur. I think you better put a Valentine One in the dash. I highly commend your new choice...it's simply a beauty!! TC

 

congrats on the alpine. they are cool cars. I had a chance to buy a nice, good car here in texas about ten years ago for $6k. at the time I had other priorities and passed. I still loved the car and have yet to come across another one. I am sure you will love it.

 

wspeer - $6k?? You just ruined my day. They fetch a bit more than that today...quite a bit more than that.

Jim S.

 

The Alpine has an illustrious history, as of course, you know!
Around our table, whenever cars are discussed and glory days relived, my wife, who is from Toulon, remembers the rallys and hillclimbs and this is her favourite car. Congratulations. And, I even like to the colour!

 

Jim,

Congratulations! The Alpine is also one of my favorite designs/cars. I also hope to get one in the future. I saw one at Laguna Seca in October. I wanted to ask the owner how he managed to get the car street legal but he was in a hurry.

Might you enlighten me on what's involved with getting the Alpine street legal here in Cali?

Are you in the SoCal area? I'd love to see your cars sometime.

 

need4speed- Here is the story.

Most of these cars are in Europe or the U.K. They were licensed by Renault to be manufactured in France, Brazil, Spain and Mexico. Never made for the U.S. market. Thus, the first hurdle is getting it into the country. Fortunately, the DOE and EPA (Federal Agencies) have a rolling 25 year exemption. Hence, any car older than 1981 (today) has an exemption from any DOE or EPA issues. Getting it through customs was, therefore, not an issue. (DOE and EPA address bumper height, safety glass, emergency flasher, seat belt buzzer, sealed headlights, door side-crash reinforcement, etc., etc.)

This gets it into 49 states. Then there is California. If the car is older than 1975, then it is exempt from California annual smog test. However, it is not necessarily exempt from California requiring a certified referee station from testing the car. This test is not your standard smog test. It is a 3 day test performed at one of two stations (one in northern and one in southern California). The test costs approximately $1500, and addresses cold start, running under load, crankcase emissions, etc. If the car fails (which it will), then you are obligated to fix it. This is the case even though it does not require annual smog test.

If the car is older than 1972, then it is exempt from this requirement as well. Hence, to guarantee success, you must find a car manufactured before 1972.

While I support California's strict emission requirement, a greater benefit would be gained by residents of California in receiving the tax revenues from registering a car with 4 cylinders, small displacement, and driven 100 miles per year (perhaps). Fear of opening the gates to many should be offset by the realization that there are not a large number of crazy people like us willing to spend large quantities on cars that are driven a few miles per year.

Have fun looking!

Jim S.

 

Thanks for the info Jim

 

So in today's enviroment, one simply turns up at DMV with original log book and import papers?

 

dignini - if the car is older than 1972, the answer is yes. However, most of the DMV rank and file likely don't know the rules (laws), or at least do not interpret them the same. Hence, you must be prepared to educate (with printed documents from the California web site) or hire a professional - someone who does DMV registration for a living (typically for fleet cars, etc., where they know a particular DMV office and bring in 20 cars each visit).

Jim S.

 

Jim, if it lands in Newark, NJ and is registered under the 25 year old rule?

 

dignini - if it lands in New Jersey and is titled in New Jersey, then moving to California is a bit easier. As it is older than 1975, and titled in another state, it generally is waived (smog exemption, etc.). It is when it has a foreign title and first arrives in California that the grey market flags come up.

Jim S.

 

Thanks Jim, its one of the benefits of being older...man how time has flown! By the way my wife tells me she had a crush on young Frenchman who rallied a "seventies green" Alpine!

 

I for one love this car. Can you post more pictures? I bet that thing sounds amazing. Lucky!

 

More pictures of some other Alpines, and a few more of mine.

Jim S.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

i know it is hard to believe, but it was long before ebay. back when the classic car market was much more local and very little demand for an unknown car

 

Jim S.

You are a wild and crazy guy! The red mud flaps and custom "low rider" muffler were the real give away. Congrats on your great find and purchase! What are your plans for it . . . restoration, track, Baja 1000 ;-)?

Bill

 

Bill - plans are to enjoy. I will not track the car (too old, heart subject to seizure with too much excitement). It has been mechanically restored. The body has the patina of a rally car, and hence will not be repainted. I plan to use it on the street. You think that you get looks driving a Dino? When driving the Alpine most people think I arrived from Mars!

Glad you all like it. I again wish to thank David Rochford, a F-Chat member, for helping with the process. By the way, he has one of the most beautiful Dinos that I have ever seen.

Jim S.

 

While we're on the subject....... Here's my 1600S (its a real one) VB version with many SVRA and VARAC wins. In 93 Ferrari historian Antoine Prunet judged it a blue ribbon winner at Meadowbrook Hall Concours. The day before, it won its historic class race. Now I drive it on the road. I frequently get told I can't drive a race car on the road - I reply just watch me! Incidently a few years ago when we were thinning out our collection we decided to keep it over our Dino 246 GTS #08106. They are valued about the
same however I figured I could always find a Dino whereas finding the right Berlinette would be next to impossible. The A110 is a very special motorcar.
Here are some pics of my Dino and A110 1600S. I can post others of interesting details if you like.
BTW Does your car have IRS or swing axles? Gros freins? Hydrolic handbrake? Monte Carlo 364 Box? Dieppe built?
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

enjoy
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

AndruetBiche - all I can say is WOW!. That is absolutely fantastic. What a beautiful Alpine. I am trying to acquire Heuer Monte Carlo rally stop watches, and they are difficult to find. Is that what I am seeing on your dash?

Mine is an IRS, Diepe build, cable to handbrake mechanism (not sure whether hydraulic in the caliper). Built by Salv Sacco, 1800 cc steel liners, forged pistons, polished big valve head, competition cam, remote filter and oil cooler, tubular manifold, twin Weber 45 D.C.O.E. with air filters, lightened flywheel, uprated clutch.

Gearbox:
5 x speed with Quaife L.S.D.

Body:
Group 4 wheel arches, foam filled tank, electric fire extinguisher system, custom made rear cage, electrical cut-off, competition seat (+ original seats), Halda Twinmaster, map light, new radiator, unique No. RA A110B.

Yours is remarkable. How long have you had it???

Jim S.

 

A famous Canadian quote:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_watch_me