On The Grid

On Display Now

The 1967 Alpine-Renault A110 Berlinette was a purpose built coupe manufactured for winning rallies of the day. It debuted in the early 1960s and was competitive until the 1974-1975 rally season when technology advances by other marques reduced the level of competitiveness. The A110 had been developed to the limit of its potential against marques such as the Ferrari Dino powered Lancia Stratos. The particular vehicle on display was originally rallied in Spain and France and then in 1987 was purchased by the second owner, imported to the United Kingdom, and then rallied competitively in the UK and Belgium in “historic rallies” from 1990 to 1995. In 1999 the present owner purchased the car in the UK and imported it to the United States. It was rallied in several championship events in the U.S. and Quebec, Canada. Sadly, in North America there is no real stage rally historic series, so entering those events against modern AWD Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancers made it more of a love of historic cars and exhibition than expecting to place on the podium. In any case, the entry was a popular one due to the A110’s French heritage in rallies in Quebec and elsewhere. Future plans are to enter the A110 in selected rallies which encourage a historic class and/or are suited to the car and driver’s preferences. One such entry will be the revival of the Great American Mountain Rally in October 2019 which is a recreation of the namesake rally of the 1950s which attracted many internationally known rally and race drivers. In the future, the present owner intends to enter historic stage rallies outside of North America in this vehicle.

The particulars of this car are as follows:

• Body and shell of Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) mounted to a central metallic tubular channel with end bulkheads for attachment of rear engine/4-speed transaxle/suspension, and suspension and steering rack at front.
• 1416cc 4-cyl Gordini engine with dual Weber 40DCOE sidedraft induction
• 4 wheel disc brakes, rack & pinion steering
• wheelbase 2100mm, track 1280mm.
• Fully caged with factory bar and cage per rally specifications.
• Full rally underbody protection with factory skid plates.
• Vehicle is at the FIA homologated minimum weight of 752kg with full fuel and spare wheel has log book and Historic Rally Vehicle Identity Form.
• Restorations in 1989 and 2002.

Past Display Cars

When the founders of the International Motor Racing Research Center were working on the details for the new archival and research facility, they knew they wanted the look and feel of a library. Some exhibit space was important, and, foremost, they envisioned space for a race car. Wide double-doors have accommodated the rolling in and out of dozens of different cars since the IMRRC opened in June 1999. The cars are displayed for a few months, often complementing a Center Conversations talk or other event.

If you have an interesting race car you’d be willing to display at the IMRRC in Watkins Glen, NY, please email Kip Zeiter, the Coordinator of Visitor Services and Outreach.

Among the cars the IMRRC has hosted: