OK, you guys are making me extremely jealous now. Just curious about the interior dimensions of the Alpine compared to the Dino. What's she like inside? I've noticed the pedals are almost at the same level as the top of the seat cushion. What's she like to drive? Thanks for sharing
Need4Speed - Tall drivers need not apply. One wears an Alpine like a glove. I am 6'0" and squeeze myself in. Once in, however, it is quite comfortable. For a tall driver the seat must be modified (tilted back) a bit to accommodate a helmet. However, without the helmet there is ample room. Shifting in not quite as precise as the Dino with a gate. However, the throw is short, and the gear ratios are close (5-speed). Driving the car?? Well, the best way to describe it is to imagine 150+ horsepower in a Go-kart. Throwing the car sideways at low speed is easy and quite controllable. Hearing protection is required for anything other than a short trip. Brakes are great, as is acceleration. Not a creature comfort car. Made for one thing, and one thing only. And it does it quite well. AndruetBiche - your thoughts? Jim S.
BTW good spotting my son in the Dino. He's 8 now and says the most fun cars in our stable are the Citroen 2CV Breadvan (because it leans so much in the corners) and our 49 MG T series because he gets to wear my aviator goggles. Now the Alpine - to drive it is like nothing else. I'm only 5.9" so it fits me like a glove. Getting in and out is a major pain especially if you have the rallye seats - which are bolted to the floor to save weight. If you own a Lotus Elise like I do you get the picture. (see pic) The Alpine is so narrow you can easily close the passenger door without leaning over. Check out the height compared to the trucks and Elise in the pic. Its so light at 1440 lbs that you get blown sideways when you pass transports on the highway. Its not for straights its a car at home in the mountain twisties (its name Alpine). In the hills and gorges of Provence ( where I raced for Peugeot a long time ago) its untouchable. Even by todays standards. I especially like the hydraulic handbrake for those 180 degree turns.When you get in the Alpine you get that same special feeling that you get in the Dino. Instead of Merzario in the Targa Florio (Dino) you are Therier in the Monte on the last special stage. And of all the cars I have driven or owned it has the biggest SBF of all. (Schoolboy factor). Bad habits? I always read in road tests that its swing axles were tricky at maximum attack - I disagree It grips like a limpit mine especially in the wet with the Michelin TB Tarmac tires. Earplugs are a must and you will smell of french exhaust perfume after each drive. With the straight thru pipe at night I get 2 foot flames on the overrun. The lighting on my car will burn your hand if you are standing close. The only time I've been pulled over was driving back from the Glen at night bacause of the yellow bulbs. He let me off after a ride. I also have the short ratio rack and pinion which means you can do lock to lock without taking your hands off the steering wheel (which you can see is just like the Dinos MOMO wheel) In France the Alpine is a national institution and every town it seems has a club. If you are buying get an expert to check out the car because like muscle cars you can make a $20000 car look like a $300000 works car to the untrained eye. You can still get a letter from the factory in Dieppe stating what your car was when it left the factory. Hope this helps - sorry I rambled on.... but this car is that good. Image Unavailable, Please Login
AndruetBiche - where might one find the Heuer Monte Carlo Rally Dash-mounts? Do you have any sources? Perhaps a spare set sitting on a shelf? Jim S.
Jim mine are the Tissot works 1973 set. Sorry no spares. No doubt you've seen the crazy prices on the internet from the British sites. If I were you I would discreetly enquire at rally clubs in your area. I have bought Haldas and Heuers at very reasonable prices from guys who are updating to the new electornic stuff and are happy to unload it. Good luck! NCB
