1991 Renault GTA V6 Le Mans

With the Renault Williams F1 team enjoying their most successful period, resulting in numerous Drivers and most importantly Constructors World Championships during the late 80s and early 90s, it is no surprise then that their road cars were also selling particularly well. The Clios of 'Nicole and Papa', the astonishing Fuego, and even the Avantime. This success also rubbed off on Alpine, Renault's Competition arm.

Developed from its successful A310 coupé by Alpine, the GTA was produced between 1985 and 1993. Later versions of the A310 had used Renault's 2.7-litre overhead-cam V6 engine, an enlarged (to 2,849cc) version of which was chosen for its successor and mounted behind the rear axle as before. Alpine's long-established backbone chassis was likewise retained for the GTA, which featured pretty glassfibre coupé bodywork bonded to the frame in a form of semi-monocoque construction. With 160bhp on tap, the original GTA was no slouch, but the installation of the 2.5-litre, 200bhp turbo unit elevated it to supercar status, 150mph and 0-60mph in under seven seconds being typical performance figures. Alpine's long and successful competition experience ensured that the suspension was capable of coping with the increased performance. In February 1990 the limited edition Le Mans arrived boasting a more aggressive looking body kit and three-piece BBS-style wheels. The regular V6 GT and V6 Turbo ended production during 1990, while the Le Mans version continued until February 1991, by which 325 had been built.

Whilst Renault and Alpine had long worked together producing some wonderful cars since the seventies, there were certain issues that meant that the 'great unsung Supercar of the 1980s', the GTA had to be marketed in the UK as a Renault car, the Renault Alpine GTA, due to the parent companies previous tie ins with Chrysler, and their insistence upon protecting Alpine name for the UK market.

Whilst there were only 325 cars made worldwide, the GTA V6 Le Mans was only ever supplied in very low numbers to the UK, with only 26 right-hand drive cars produced, all bar one in the Burgundy metallic you see here. The Le Mans name alluded to Alpine's many successes over the years at the French circuit and the cars featured a numbered plaque on the dash, in this case No.#25.

Bearing the appropriate registration plate, J1 GTA, the car presented here has covered just over 42,000 miles and is being offered from long-term dry storage. It remains on its original 17-inch split-rim, 3-piece BBS-style alloys, and whilst mostly as supplied new, we understand that it has at some point been fitted with a straight-through de-cat stainless steel exhaust system. A former keeper, understood to have been a Renault technician, has at some point carried out one or two time appropriate upgrades, including a new turbocharger for reliability, various aftermarket coolant pipes and hoses, and a later ProAlloy radiator. The MOT is valid until June 2026 and the history file is substantial and includes full workshop manuals and wiring diagrams.

There are one or two minor blemishes in the paintwork on the roof, and having recently emerged from storage, the car may require some light recommissioning, however, this is one stunning motorcar and this is a rare opportunity, with the Alpine marque being on the cusp of a relaunch with their new A290, to enjoy an unsung hero from the past that has now become topical.