Alpine made its debut in endurance racing in 1963 and soon enjoyed success in the Le Mans 24 Hours. The Alpine A210, the first to adopt a name close to that of the production A110, marked a real transition in the early years of the Dieppe-based marque. It forges a link with the early M63s, M64s and M65s, and the more powerful 3-litre A220s, the first Alpines capable of fighting for overall victory. Only eight A210s were produced, with chassis numbers #1720 to #1727. Chassis #1725 was part of the second series, and was built not in 1966 but in 1967. It stands out for its singular history. Firstly, with two victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (in class and performance index), but also by its second life, hidden from view in a barn for over 40 years. Kept in Gérard Gombert's incredible Alpine collection, the A210 #1725 was brought out in 2016 in fascinating original condition.

 

The birth of the A210

At the end of 1965, as was the case every inter-season, Alpine embarked on work to prepare for the following year. The M65 was taken as the basis and given a number of upgrades. Richard Bouleau, the engineer in charge of chassis design, and Marcel Hubert, the aerodynamicist, were at the helm, not wanting to start from scratch. They wanted to capitalise on the progress made since 1963 with the first Alpine prototype launched (the M63), and especially since the M64 of 1964, from which the M65 was derived.

The first notable change for 1966 was that the name M66 would not be used. In order to forge a stronger link between the models entered in competition and the A110 road-going berlinetta, it was decided to adopt a complementary nomenclature. The Alpine prototype became the A210. Technically, the A210s had a robust multitubular chassis made of steel tubing treated with chromium molybdenum. The design was further refined at the rear, to enhance the 'long tail' aerodynamic effect characteristic of Le Mans prototypes in the 1960s.

The changes concern the cooling of the brakes, but also the fitting of new Michelin tyres, which require the use of fairings (the tyres protrude beyond the rear wings) and the manufacture of aluminium hub carriers (to incorporate a central nut attachment). The suspension has been completely redesigned compared to the M65, with two superimposed wishbones.

At the 1966 event, four of the six Alpine A210s entered took 9 , 11 , 12 and 13 places. However, the A210s fell far short of the ambitions of Alpine and Régie Renault. 3The fuel efficiency index victory for Jacques Cheinisse and Roger De Lageneste (Alpine A210 n°44 Écurie Savin-Calberson chassis 1721) was a consolation (it was even an Alpine triple), as was the class victory for Henri Grandsire and Léo Cella in the 1300 cm class in the n°62 (chassis 1723).

With just over 115 bhp, the A210s consumed less than 15 litres/100 km and averaged 170 km/h, reaching as high as 245 km/h in the Hunaudières. Although the great story of this 1966 edition was Ford's, Alpine's success should not be underestimated! In fact, the brand was advertising this in the press at the time.

However, the decision was taken after this edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans to go further, and to put in place greater resources with a view to competing for overall victory. Gordini began developing a 3-litre engine block capable of supporting Alpine in its quest for victory. 3This engine block was not available until 1967 on the A220, and was never fitted to the A210s, which had to content themselves with more modest displacements, from 1300 to 1500 cm most of the time, and accumulated class wins at Le Mans and victories in the index. Chassis #1725, in particular, brought Alpine laurels in 1967 and 1968, and played a part in this epic. It became the most successful chassis of the period.

 

Alpine A210 chassis #1725, the class leader

Chassis #1725 made its debut at the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours as #46. Driven by Henry Grandsire and José Rosinski, the car sported a distinctive orange headlining. 33eIt won the 1151 class - 1300 cm (it was fitted with a 1296 cm engine ) and finished 9 overall. 3e3This was better than the A210, chassis 1726, number 45, the only car with a 1500 cm block , which finished 13 and won the 1301 class at 1600 cm . Winning a race on the very first outing in competition, and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans no less, is a fine way to start a career.

 

For many observers, it was Alpine's finest performance of the 1960s at Le Mans. Indeed, the 1967 victory by #1725 sounded like a repeat of the 1966 victory by Henri Grandsire and Léo Cella, but this time with 10 more laps covered for the same engine capacity. That's how much Jean Rédélé and his teams improved their performance over the year. The 1967 season continued for #1725 with an impressive 3 races and 2 class wins, in the 12 Hours of Reims and the 9 Hours of Kyalami.

 

3)In 1968, the A210 chassis 1725 bearing the number 55 was entered in the Le Mans race with a smaller engine (1,005 cm ), less powerful than in the 1967 edition. 3But this didn't stop Jean-Claude Andruet and Jean-Pierre Nicolas from winning the class reserved for cars under 1150 cm . With its chequered strip on the roof, the car also won the performance index. eIt climbed to a final 14th place overall, in a hotly contested edition with only 15 cars finishing! In the rain, the rally drivers excelled!

 

After this rainy edition, which was exceptionally run in September, #1725 returned to the Le Mans 24 Hours one last time in 1969. It was given race number 46, as in 1967, with Alain Leguellec and Bernard Tramont at the wheel. 3Still recognisable by its chequered strip, this time the car raced with a new engine block, the displacement of which had been increased to 1470 cm . But the drivers didn't have time to exploit it. The car returned to its box at the end of the first lap, as the water temperature seemed too high. A cylinder head gasket failed. It was time to retire.

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A210 #1725 out of the barn after 40 years by Gérard "La Gombe" Gombert

Alpine A210 chassis #1725 was acquired by Gérard Gombert, nicknamed 'la Gombe', in the early 1970s. 3At the time still fitted with a 1500 cm engine , the Alpine would have been used on the open road to go to the Paul Ricard circuit! It was then stored in the house in Fayence in the South of France, then in the barn, where it remained for almost 40 years. The engine, marked 12C (C for 1500), had been dismantled, as had the gearbox. Following Gérard Gombert's death, the impressive collection was put up for sale in 2016. The finest piece in the collection, the Alpine A210 #1725, was acquired by its current owner.

 

Unlike other cars in the collection that have been stored outside, #1725 has been kept out of the public eye and out of the elements for four decades. It is both the most successful Alpine A210 and also the only one in its original condition.

Its current owner has had the car, a veritable time machine, put back in action. The Gordini engine is back in its place in the rear compartment, and a mechanical overhaul has been carried out to preserve the car in its original condition.

Open the door and gaze at the original dashboard, seats and belts, and you'll find yourself transported almost 60 years back in time. This sublime Alpine, with its outstanding record of achievements and multiple victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, delivers the kind of emotion that only the finest collector's cars can offer.

An exceptional car in many respects that Ascott Collection is particularly proud to offer for sale.

Needless to say, this car is eligible for some of the most prestigious events on the planet, and given its absolutely unique original condition, it could undoubtedly provide its next owner with some wonderful surprises.

 

Track record

10-11/06/1967 - 24 Hours of Le Mans - Rosinski / Grandsire - 37 on the grid, 9 overall, 1 in class (n°46)
25/06/1967 - 12 Heures de Reims - Delageneste / Marnat - 9 overall, 1 in class (n°66)
03/09/1967 - 500 Kilometres Nürburgring - Grandsire - Retired (n°1)
04/11/1967 - 9 Hours of Kyalami - Depailler / Grandsire - 7 overall, 1 in class (n°21)
04/09/1968 - 500 Kilometers Nürburgring - Grandsire - 4 overall, 4 in class (n°8)
28-29/09/1968 - 24 Hours of Le Mans - Andruet / Nicolas - 50 on the grid, 14 overall, 1 in class (n°55)
14-15/06/1969 - 24 Heures du Mans - Leguellec / Tramont - 32 on the grid, Retired (n°46)