CLIENT COMPETITION
HISTORY
19. Rallye Lyon-Charbonnieres -Stuttgart-Solitude 1966
The first owner and driver of this A110 1100 "Tour de France" was the Swiss André Wicky from near Lausanne.
He was active in motorsport from the late 1950s until the late 1970s. He maintained his own racing team - the Wicky Racing Team - and drove powerful sports cars similar to the Porsche 908 in the early 70s. With his copilot Claude Haldi, also a well-known figure in international motorsport, he participated in the Lyon-Charbonnières-Stuttgart Solitude Rally in 1966. In 1965 he ordered this special Alpine A110 1100 "Tour de France" with all the racing options available at the time.
The vehicle had the following equipment features ex-works:
- Extra lightweight body
- 1 bucket seat, 1 serial seat
- Front cooling system
- 2 fuel tanks
- Heated windscreen
- Plexiglas panes
- Feature package "Equippement hautes Performance"
Wicky ordered the vehicle without an engine. Since he was on friendly terms with the engine tuner Bernard Collomb in Nice, I have reason to believe that he expected advantages from having a powerful Gordini engine built there.
The "Rallye Lyon-Charbonnières-Stuttgart-Solitude" had cult status, received the title "Germany Rally" and was part of the European Championship. The most distinctive characteristics were the special stages on the Solitudering. In 1966, the Automobile Club of Switzerland also joined in as organizer of the Solitude-Charbonnières. It now counted as a national championship round in France, Germany and Switzerland and was already considered the mini–Monte Carlo Rally by the drivers
In the Alps with snow and ice, three special tests had to be completed. This is where the lightweight Alpine works car could triumph and confidently break away from the field. In 1966 the Solitude Ring encountered an Alpine A110 in the lead for the very first time – followed by a further five overall victories. The winners were Jean-Pierre Hanrioud/Jean-Claude Peray in Alpine A 110 1100 ahead of their team colleagues Vinatier/Hoffmann also In A110 1100 "Tour de France". A respectable 5th place was achieved by the André Wicky/Claude Haldi team in the overall rating of their class up to 1300cc.
© Editions Maurice Louche
RALLYE DU GENEVA 1966
10-12 JUNE 1966
HOME GAME
The Rallye de Genève, or Rallye de Suisse during its European years, was a Swiss automobile competition held from 1923 to 1971. It was obvious that Andrè Wicky participated it, being so close to his front door.
© Motorsportimages.com
1966 MONT BLANC RALLY
9-10 JULY 1966
OLYMPIC THOUGHT
BEING THERE IS EVERYTHING
The Mont Blanc Rally, or Rallye Mont-Blanc – Morzine, is a rally that was part of the French Rally Championship and for the French VHC Rally Championship. The Andrè Wicky/Claude Haldi team participated with start number 23.
© Editions Maurice Louche
SEARCH AND RESCUE
SWISS HERITAGE
BARN FIND
AUGUST 2012
MIRACLES HAPPEN
It is almost a miracle to find a former competition Alpine from 1965, one which was in a deep sleep for almost 40 years and with only roughly 45,000 km mileage. Such stories apparently only exist in Switzerland, where cultural assets are carefully preserved and where this Berlinette had been decommissioned in 1973, but not so well protected thereafter.
She may seem inconspicuous and unspectacular compared to a brute 1800 factory Alpine – but it is certainly the most difficult model of the A110 range to find. A maximum of a dozen of their kind with these special features were produced for rally use and only a few specimens have survived the long years to this day unscathed.
In the truest sense of the word, this rare 1100 Berlinette was a barn find that doesn’t happen every day. Since being decommissioned, it spent countless years almost unprotected in a warehouse near Lausanne, before a lover discovered it and freed it from its sad fate. In November 2012, after tough negotiations, I was able to purchase this unique pearl.
TRICKED
During my subsequent research, I was able to locate the first owner near Lausanne. Here an extremely unpleasant incident came to light, which brought an abrupt end to a long standing male friendship. Said collector from near Zurich, who is very well known in Alpine circles, removed the original engine and original powertrain from the car before it was sold, in order to keep these rare components and spare engine for himself.
What was connected for over 50 years in its original state, as a rare "matching numbers vehicle" in a valuable and historic pairing, was destroyed for profit.
I consciously do not refrain from announcing unpleasant and sobering events like these that I have been confronted with over the years, without naming names.
This should serve as a warning to all those, who are thinking of owning an Alpine A110 soon. Beware of the specialists!
TOUR DE FRANCE AUTOMOBIL
MOTORSPORT MAGAZIN
This test report portrays the A110 1100 "Tour de France" of the former race director of Alpine Renault Jaques Cheinisse, who himself steered the wheel of this Berlinette as a factory pilot in the early years.
BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS
DISASSEMBLY
DECEMBER 2012
NEW HOME
Not only the ravages of time unmistakably gnawed at the body of this Berlinetta, but also the wear and tear of her last motorsport activities, along with the mishandling by its previous owner were easily detectable. Along with changing the color of the car, the previous owner had installed additional headlights and larger wheel arches on the rear axle.
There was no question about the fact, that the car could not remain in this condition. That meant that some sections of the chassis needed to be replaced.
This was the first time that we had had a debate on the subject. It was necessary to preserve what seemed worth preserving and non-repairable sections had to be replaced uncompromisingly.
The super-light outer skin had been torn, broken, deformed and even unprofessionally repaired in many places. The slightly modified rear fenders were adapted to the original period coprrect condition and the front was retrofitted to two main headlights. The main focus has always been on preserving as much of the original substance of the body as possible. During a high-quality restoration however, it is inevitable, that smaller sections of the body need to be cut out and replaced.
BODY WORK
BODY LANGUAGE
After completion of all the restoration work on the chassis and body, the filigree Berlinette rolled out of the workshop on its own wheels. All add-on parts were adapted and assembled in their place of purpose before painting.
LACQUERING
PAINT TO SAMPLE
The optimization of gaps and accuracy of fit of hoods and doors requires a lot of patience and a not insignificant expenditure of time. So it goes without saying, that nothing is left to chance when painting. Lost light edges are painstakingly restored, surfaces, corners and edges carefully sanded, so after all, the result should also withstand critical eyes.
ARTWORK
TIME TO INSPIRE
Each individual component embodies a small sculpture and deserves due attention. With love, care and dedication, surfaces were refined, chrome-plated polished, metallic surfaces painted, patina preserved and unserviceable either renewed or replaced.
Various components were authentically restored true to the original and tested for perfect function before installation.
After processing, these small works of art wait on the shelf for their time, when they will take their final place on or in the vehicle.
POWER PLANT
MACHINE MATTERS
Andrè Wicky ordered this special Berlinette without a power unit in order to have a racing engine with 1296cc installed in Nice by the well-known tuner Bernard Collomb.
All components of the engine were carefully revised, the motor block was provided with new brass bearing bushes and the hairline cracks in the combustion chambers of the cylinder head were expertly welded and reworked.
It goes without saying, that engine construction is also a feast for the eyes. Therefore, in addition to the technical perfection, the optics of the racing engine were not neglected. Thus, prior to the engine block being restored to its typical Gordini moss green, all openings were meticulously taped off and protected.
The original rocker cover produced by means of sand casting with its well-known rough surface remained untouched. Shiny, polished or even chrome plated surfaces were deliberately avoided.
REASSEMBLY
NOVEMBER 2013
PUZZLE GAME
The countless hours of diligent work on the components were followed by reassembly. Each previously meticulously prepared component was returned to its original place and now remains permanently on or in the vehicle.
The work of art is taking shape and gradually the many puzzle pieces are now forming a respectable overall picture.
BACK ON TRACK
LABOR OF LOVE
The classic Alpine A110 1100 "Tour de France", as Jean Rédélé created it in the early years of his work. A timelessly beautiful design and slim lines give this early version a particularly elegant appearance. Its narrow body shape, as well as the 15-inch steel wheels, gave it the stamp of an "underdog” among all the other, much more powerful and aggressive looking A110 models.
But careful, it`s low power-to-weight ratio, its agility and manoeuvrability and, last but not least, the powerful and high-revving Gordini engine, propels it to unbeaten performance.
Increasingly more lovers of the brand are becoming aware of this early version and enjoy the simple, but timeless and elegant lines. Very few of these special early models with racing genes have survived unscathed, which is why they are the real rarity par excellence.
EMBRACE THE FLAWS
FINE ART OF FILM
Falling in love with the silhouetteof an Alpine A110 is not too difficult and many already have. However, it is necessary to come to terms with and accept the shortcomings of an ALPINE if the relationship is to last. An immense devotion, tolerance, patience and love is imperative for a happy coexistence. David Zu Elfe, the creative mind of the film team skillfully bridges the gap between old and young and sets two Alpines with 55 years age difference, but identical DNA side by side.
Quickly forgotten are all the efforts and adversities that went along with the shooting.
CAR & DRIVER // Jürgen Clauss @alpinelab
FILM CREW // David Zu Elfe @davidzuelfe & Maze Wagner @mazewagner
MUSIC&SOUND // Phillip Stephan @p.k.stephan
Making of: https://www.feuerwasserfilm.de/portfolio/alpinelab/
GET OUT AND DRIVE
LET`S PLAY
A completely new driving experience is revealed to the driver at the wheel of an A110 1100 "Tour de France".
The wooden rim of the oversized Speedwell steering wheel protrudes into the driver's field of vision, which is perceived as somewhat disturbing at first. However, after the first few turns one begins to love it. Light as a feather and with minimal effort, it can be precisely circled around the corners. The tuned and willingly revving Gordini engine, which can breathe freely without air filter and rear damper, beguiles with its characteristic sound. The needle of the rev counter willingly shoots towards the red area and conjures up a broad grin of contentment on the driver's face. The enigine has no trouble driving the delicate coupè to extraordinary driving performance. Pure driving pleasure – Magnifique!
CAR IN DETAIL
SOULMADE
The interaction of things, substances, forces and materials in the sense of complementing and promoting each other ultimately results in a unified whole with corresponding radiance. The synergy of many small elements, combined to form an automotive sculpture, does not miss its effect on the viewer. There is much to discover when looking at an early type of Berlinette. The number of those, who are seduced by the timelessly elegant design of an early A110 "Tour de France",
is steadily increasing.
DRIVE TASTEFULLY
YOU DON`T DRIVE AN ALPINE A110, YOU WEAR IT
Afshin Behnia was the founder of PETROLICIOUS, the name given to a group of fans, fanatics, collectors and racers of classic cars in California.
In September 2016, he personally visited alpineLAB and squeezed himself into the cramped cockpit of an Alpine A110 for the first time. His impressions led to the meanwhile legendary statement:
„YOU DON`T DRIVE AN ALPINE A110, YOU WEAR IT“!
CONCOURS
CLASSIC GALA SCHWETZINGEN 2019
HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE
Even the name Classic Gala says what distinguishes this Concours d'Elegance from all other events of this kind: it is not a car show, but a unique social event with architecture, culture, style, history and technology.
A total of 3 Berlinettes steeped in history presented themselves at the Concours in the Schoßpark Schwetzingen. In yellow, the former German mountain champion Alpine A110 1300S, piloted in 1969 by Werner Brendel from Ulm. In the typical Alpine blue, the former A110 1300S of Hans Schulze Schwering, one of the very first drivers in Germany, who successfully drove the Berlinette on the circuit in 1968. Finally, the white A110 1100 "Tour de France", which was piloted by Andrè Wicky at countless rallies in Switzerland and France.
The criteria according to which the judges awarded their prizes remains unknown to us. An award was given to the beautiful A108 owned by Christian Pilz (not in the picture) along with one for but also the white A110 1100 "Tour de France".
MILLE MILES MAGAZINE
JANUAR 2017
