It’s French. It’s turbocharged. It’s as fast as any supercar of the era. And most likely, you’ve never seen one. The Grand Tourisme Alpine was conceived after Renault purchased Alpine in 1974 to save the niche company from bankruptcy. Alpine had been fielding competitive race and rally cars for decades; its expertise gave Renault the talent to tackle the niche that Porsche so ably occupied. The 1985 launch of the GTA represented Renault’s entry into the performance market. This example can be found here on craigslist, priced at $28,888 and located in MontVerde, Florida. Thanks, Tony Primo, for spotting this rare car for us!

Most enthusiasts see a French car and expect something weird. The GTA does not disappoint. No, this engine is not sitting under the hood; it’s rear-mounted, covered by the hatch. The first GTA received a conventional Renault PRV (Peugeot/Renault/Volvo) V6 – the same mill found in the DeLorean DMC-12. Output was meager by sports car standards, at 160 hp. So the company pulled its 2.5-liter turbocharged V6 off the shelf (it was being used in the Renault 25 sedan) and tossed it in the back of the GTA’s multi-panelled plastic body. Its 200 hp propelling only 2700 lbs lit up the pavement: sixty came up in 6.3 seconds, and top speed was clocked at 150 mph. The downside is turbo lag, which can surprise if you’re throttle-down going into a curve. The steering is direct and responsive; the gearbox is a five-speed transaxle driving the rear wheels. This car has recently been imported, showing only 45,000 miles on the clock. It’s been treated to an engine-out service, as well as a new clutch, water pump, coolant hoses, brakes, and rebuilt front suspension.

The interior has its good points – namely, the supportive bucket seats and the funky steering wheel. But the switches and gauges come from more mundane cars. The seller mentions that the air conditioning has been upgraded. While the GTA does offer seating for four, there’s precious little legroom in the rear.

Alpine’s designer, Yves Legal, migrated to Renault after the merger. Famous for helping design the Turbo 5, Legal facelifted the A310 into this swoopy but offbeat sports car. Part 928 and part Starion/Conquest, but not either one, the styling falls into the category “love it or hate it”. With fewer than 7500 made – including all variants – this car’s value is a matter of desire more than reason: if you must have one, here it is. Or you can opt for this example, with a few hours to go in its auction. Do you find this French performance car tempting?