Wearing classic ’80s monochrome white, this 1984 Renault GTA Alpine V6 GT may represent the ultimate specimen on the planet, a claim easier to quantify than most considering only 54 were built. This 17,500 mile time capsule in Miami, Florida awaits a new caretaker here on eBay where a click on Buy It Now makes it yours for $57,500.
Americans traumatized by Renault-built rolling chicanes like the R5 “LeCar” and Alliance may fail to appreciate Renault’s rich racing history including Formula 1 campaigns and a long-running partnership with Alpine (thanks to ultimatecarpage.com for some details).
Squares and rectangles ruled the day in the mid ’70s to mid ’80s, and the graceful curves of the Alpine’s body dared not venture into the interior. Carpeting retains some shine and appears undisturbed except by vacuum attachments.
Popping the hood reveals all the excitement of a backup generator from the basement of your local fire hall. By contrast the Pontiac Fiero engine from the same era looks draws a crowd every time you check your oil. The story gets more interesting in 1985 when a 200 HP turbo became available alongside this first-year GTA’s obligatory 160 HP V6. Are you in the narrow band of enthusiasts willing to out-bid Jay Leno for this low-mileage cream-puff?
Chevy Monza comes to mind.
For all the wrong reasons.
First time I see one of these.
Count your blessings.
These were sold in this country through your local neighborhood AMC/Jeep/Renault Dealer? Who knew? This owner and 53 others I’d say. I owned an ’83 Le Car – Wasn’t at all traumatized from that stewardship, but what, exactly, is a rolling “chicanes”; S’il Vous Plait?
I don’t think these were sold in the US. There was a gray-market one impounded and sitting in the lot of the Portland, ME customs house through a good chunk of the 80’s. Don’t know what ever happened to it, but I assume nothing good. Very pretty car in person (even when viewed through a chain-link fence).
21 built for USA market and this is not one of them. Of those cars none were ever sold in the USA but were sold by Renault 5 years later in the French classifieds now that they were exempt from warranty and emission liabilities. Some of the cars were kept as mules for the A610 development, some kept for the museum collection. Of all built only one black one was imported to the USA by a private party within the past 10 years.
The USA market used the GTA designation in 1987 only for the Alliance based 2 door GTI competitor.
Thanks for your comment XMA0891. Drawing from (of all places) Wikipedia… a Chicane is “a short, shallow S-shaped turn that requires the driver to turn slightly left and then slightly right to continue on the road, requiring the driver to reduce speed.” The phrase “rolling chicane” refers to a slow-moving car that, when encountered, triggers an instant passing maneuver. This phrase has been ironically applied to Corvettes… suggesting the sad story that, by the time most people can afford a Corvette, they are too old to drive it the way they dreamed about in their youth. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicane
The front brings to mind the 80’s SVO.. and love that graphic equalizer!
I may have pulled some stomach muscles laughing at the price.
It’s obviously a misprint. Knock a zero off the end. Maybe two zeros…
I prefer the earlier models by far, but this is cool.
I think I’d rather go for a series 1 v4 A310.
Then drop in a V6 Busso, of course.
These are ok. I think driving one would impress.
Fiero engines draw crowds because we all like a good bonfire.
Not true.
Only about 275 of the Iron Duke 4 cylinder cars had that little problem.
2.8 litre V-6 never had that problem.
Ferrari and Lamborghini seem to have the same problems at gas stations lately, suddenly bursting into flames.
I saw a red highly-modified once at a dealership – they had a few Ferrari’s and other exotics. The one I saw had a wild wide-body kit on it – looked amazing – didn’t even realize it was one of these at first. Anyway – that being said – I do not understand why these cars are worth so much money. Neat and all – but there is just too many other cars for $57,500 that I would rather have….but hey maybe I’m missing something.
Got Scotty G. written all over it.
It doesn’t seem to be a 1984 Alpina GTA V6 “Europa Cup” version (54 built), but a simple V6 “GT” (191built). Which makes quite a difference, in terms of value.
Unless confirmed by the present owner (which I doubt), I believe this car is a Renault Alpina GTA V6 GT version. Interesting piece in very good shape, but not worth the price of Usd 57,500, to my concern.
This is an early first year base model GTA note the small air grille on the rear spoiler.
A DeLorean by any other name, same V-6. Probably doesn’t handle as well since the engine’s hung out the back. At least it looks better than most Porky 911s.
That’s probably the nicest example you’ll ever see. I’d love to have it.
And yeah! An A310 is one of my all time favorites.
4 me the 106 and 110 were the ones to have.
“Different Strokes”!
Glad they got chocolate AND vanilla!
(6 – 10K $ for the vehicle, another 5 -10 for its rarity?)= $16 – $25K?
I’m a god in the 110 on Forza.
Finally a beautiful car on this site, instead of hopeless garbage.
i remember this car from when I was a kid. Always lived them , especially in all white
Same taillights as a lotus Elan m100. Lotus were still raiding parts bins in the 80s, even though Colin Chapman, the maestro, was gone. Pity they didn’t choose a bigger parts bin. Those lights are virtually unobtanium now.
Tryed to do a vin search but said vin number was no good. 5700.00 is a fair deal not 57k owner is delusional.
Hagerty values it at $52k excellent to $72k concours.
Even if they have overcooked it this is a great example? I do wonder if people paying high prices are speculating and getting ahead of themselves.
Original versions (A110) have hit $100k plus for good examples.
wee wee !!!