1987 Renault Alpine GTA V6

Before you join the others in your street with their Porsches, McLarens and the like, it could be worth checking out the rarer Renault Alpine, especially in terms of value for money. The racing and rally successes, particularly of the pretty little A110 of the 1970s gave the marque its sporty image, which continues today in the Alpine Formula One team efforts. The Societe des Automobiles Alpine (SAS) was established in 1955 in Dieppe and the GTA was launched in the UK in 1986. A steel backbone chassis with outriggers was clad in a body combination of plastic and glass fibre to reduce weight. Engines on offer were two V6 units of 2.9 litre and 2.5 litre with Turbo, both with 5 speed gearbox and mounted at the rear. Performance and looks were all there but so was the legendary Renault comfort, the 2 +2 accommodation and driver position certainly should be experienced.

Chassis number 004, in original right hand drive form, finished in striking Pearl White and powered by the 2.9 litre unit, has been the subject of meticulous care in the last decade. Prior to the current ownership, a careful mechanical overhaul was carried out which included a total engine rebuild (with the engine removed, stripped, cleaned, inspected, machined if necessary and refitted appropriately with new seals, gaskets and bolts etc as necessary).

The vendor’s late husband purchased the Alpine in 2015 but very sadly, illness latterly prevented him from enjoying his very rare supercar. Although it was in good mechanical order, cosmetically the Renault required some improvement so the family contacted the production team at CAR SOS and E4 GTA was duly restored by the stars of the programme in 2022, and the episode broadcast on National Geographic in April of this year. A proper film star head-turner then!

Now, the Alpine is in superb condition. We understand that it drives as it should with no known mechanical faults, the body and paintwork are virtually concours, and the interior is immaculate. The low mileage of 32000 is substantiated by the MOT test certificates in the file. It sits on the original (and rare) Atmo road wheels, but a spare set of modern (measurement) wheels and tyres are supplied.  

The substantial history included in the sale consists of the original owner’s handbook, guarantee, warranty and radio instructions in the original wallet, together with numerous MOT test certificates dating back to 1990 (including a complete run throughout the nineties), old tax discs, Holley carburettor information, Alpine Owner’s Club correspondence, a clear HPI certificate from 2014, DVLA paperwork, invoices from the 1990s and 00s, invoices detailing the aforementioned mechanical overhaul carried out in 2014-15, photocopy past V5s and the current V5C registration certificate.

ADDENDUM

Extra information:

Current mileage: 320024

The mileage for the 2015 MOT was 31197. (Note: the vendor’s late husband did not have opportunity to enjoy the car due to poor health, hence the small increase in mileage from 2015 to 2022.)

The service history book in the file is stamped to 1998 at 18393 (it had regular servicing throughout the nineties)

Service and MOT = September 1998 @ £257

Service and MOT = October 1999 @ £282

Service = November 2000 @ £181

Service, new brake pads and discs, rustproofing = July 2001 @ £421

Service = June 2003 @ £204

Service, new battery, new heater matrix, rustproofing = December 2004 @ £589

Service = August 2007 @ £254

Current registration number since 2012

Stainless steel exhaust and manifolds fitted = November 2014 @ £2050

New aluminium radiator, thermostatic switch, water pump plus service = November 2014 @ £1337

New alternator, starter motor check = December 2014 @ £307

New clutch, engine stripped, cylinder heads crack tested and skimmed, flywheel refaced = April 2015 @ £1800

Both rear tyres replaced and work to N/S/R brake caliper = May 2015

Cobra alarm system fitted 2015 (checked 2016)

SOLD