Why Alpine ? « I chose the name Alpine for my firm because this adjective represents for me the
pleasure of driving on mountain roads. It was while crisscrossing the Alps with my
5-gearbox 4 CV that I had the most fun. This exciting driving, it was necessary that my
customers find it driving the car I wanted to build. Alpine is a name that sounds good,
it's also a symbol. » Jean Rédélé
Who is Jean Rédélé ? Jean Rédélé, a HEC graduate, becomes the youngest Renault dealer in France and
wins the Dieppe-Rouen rally with a Renault 4CV.
In 1952, with the help of Italian coachbuilder Giovanni Michelotti, he wants to build a
sports car from a Renault 4 CV. He will bring back from Turin a blue car, which he will fine
tune and finish during the next 6 months.
In 1954, he won, among other things, a cup at Critérium des Alpes and Liège-Rome-
Liège.
In 1955, in reference to his success on the alpine roads, he founded the Alpine company
and presented his first model, the coach A106.
In 1962, the Alpine A110 berlinette was presented at the Paris Salon. This is a small
lightweight polyester coupe that uses parts from Renault 8. This iconic model has been
declined at Norev in 4 sizes 1:18, 1:43, 1:87 and 3 inches.
From 1965, Jean Rédélé signed an agreement with Renault and the cars will be
distributed by Renault since 1966.
In 1973, Renault acquired a majority stake in Alpine and Jean Rédélé left the company
in 1978.
What are the steps for the
come back of Alpine ?
The Renault Alpine A110-50 concept car is presented May 25, 2012 on the Formula 1
circuit of the Monaco Grand Prix, for the 50th anniversary of the iconic Alpine A110
berlinette.
In 2015, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Alpine brand, the Alpine Celebration
concept car will be available in 3 different liveries.
On February 16, 2016, a new concept, which foreshadows the final version of the future
Alpine A110, is unveiled in Monaco : the Alpine Vision.
Then in December of the same year, even though the final model is not yet known,
Renault offers to reserve the Alpine A110 "First Edition" series limited to 1955 copies in
tribute to the year of creation of the brand. In less than 48 hours, all cars are sold.
In March 2017, the Alpine A110 "First Edition" is finally presented to the public at the
Geneva Motor Show : the first customer was delivered in March 2018.
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