The Alpine A110 is a sports car from French automotive company Alpine, and it was introduced in 1963. The classic sports car was in production for quite some time after being a huge hit among the sports car customer base. However, the final year of production was 1977, in which the model offered the biggest displacement, but not the greatest horsepower.
In fact, it was the model years 1973 to 1975 that took to offering the most horsepower. Nonetheless, the 1977 model of the Alpine A110 still took to housing a Renault engine just like the others. What's more, is that the 1977 model year was the one that was most popular for racing. Hence, it did boast many great features that took the Alpine A110 to bigger and better heights in 1977.
On that note, here is a more detailed look at the 1977 Alpine A110 and its best features.
Best Features Of The 1977 Alpine A110: Powertrain
The 1977 model of the Alpine A110 also took the name berlinette, which in the post-WWII era refers to a small, enclosed two-door coupé. Although it boasts a small body, it is home to a great engine design. The 1.4-liter engine was located at the rear of the car, which is beneficial for offering more balance.
When power comes from the engine at the rear, it helps to spin the back wheels and, therefore, balances the weight of the drivetrain over the entire car instead of just the front. This enables the car to enjoy better handling, which is ideal for racing around a track. The Alpine A110 from 1977 is popular for being a racing car, which conforms to the fact that the designers located the engine at the rear to improve balance and handling.
Limited Production Is Also A Cool Attribute Of The 1977 Alpine A110
Another great thing about the 1977 Alpine A110 is its small production count. In total, only 170 units of the 1977 model were ever made. Although this can be frustrating for customers who are looking to own one to add to their classic sports car collection, it is a great feat for anyone who can get their hands on one.
With their Alpine Renault 1397 4-cylinder engine, they were the ideal sports car for track racing. Hence, very few were made, as they were typically to drive around the racetrack and not the streets. The limited production meant that the car could stay unique and maintain its value, as well as its stance in the automotive world.
Some models did feature a turbo engine, which would increase horsepower. Those that did feature the turbo engine would most likely be those that hit the racetrack to perform in races.
The base models of the 1977 Alpine A110 were home to a Stock R16 TX Cléon-Alu engine, which could only produce 92 horsepower. However, the turbo engine could maximize the horsepower to a much more impressive 290 horsepower.
Overall, the best features of the 1977 Alpine A110 were down to its engine and mechanics. Although the design was unique, there were not many other features that stood out as the engine did.