While Alpine’s focus right now will understandably be on getting the A290 to customers (and making the 5 Turbo 3E as mad as it looks), let’s not forget about the last-of-the-line A110 either. While special editions that bring production to an end can often be little more than stickers and a nice paint job, Alpine has thrown everything possible at the Ultime: new gearbox, more power, Ohlins dampers, AP Racing brakes, a heap of extra downforce… It promises to be very special indeed, a fitting farewell to a superb sports car. As well it might be for what it’s going to cost.
There have been a good few A110 special editions since its launch at the end of 2017, including the Tour de Corse, San Remo, Enstone and Jean Rédélé. A lot for a car that’s always sold in such small quantities, but fun to find on the used market now. Until the Ultime, probably the most exciting of the limited-run cars has been the Le Mans, building on the carbon-crazy R with a special spec. Just 100 were made to mark the race’s centenary, but it’s not the first time Alpine has turned to the world’s most famous track for a special edition.
Behold the GTA Le Mans, a model launched in 1990 to mark… well, it’s not entirely clear actually, but it’s an interesting specimen nonetheless. There were never very many made, with just 26 of the 325 coming to the UK (this is number 24, appropriately enough for the Le Mans), and as some of the first catalysed Alpines they actually had less power than earlier V6 Turbos.
Regardless, every Le Mans received the BBS-style wheels and a distinctive new bodykit to mark it out from the other GTAs. All of the UK cars were Imperial Red, too. This one is claimed to have covered less than 25,000 miles since new, which is pretty remarkable.
Its condition supports that assertion, with everything present and correct inside (look at those seats!) and a nicely preserved exterior. The paint still looks fantastic, as do those graphics that look pinched from a team tracksuit of the time. Presumably all the GTAs that have lived this long will be good ’uns, but it’s still nice to see such a lovely one.
The advert mentions a pricey gearbox rebuild in 2019, though not very much since then; it has been offered to the dealer by the fourth owner’s widow, so perhaps use and maintenance have tailed off in recent years. Some fresh fluids are probably advisable if it has been stored for a little while. But the MOT was passed without advisory in July, so even if it hasn’t been moved much it’s survived very well. £40k is the asking price - there won’t be many cooler classic sports cars for the money.
SPECIFICATION | ALPINE GTA LE MANS
Engine: 2,458cc, V6 turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 185@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 212@2,250rpm
MPG: c. 25
CO2: N/A
Year registered: 1991
Recorded mileage: 25,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £39,995
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