Renault Alpine Tamiya 1/24

Like so many other sport automobile factories, the Alpine was founded by an enthusiastic of the motor sport. Its name is Jean Redéle, and in fact his father was owner of a Renault concessionaire, beginning he to compete with a Renault 4CV. Quickly see the limitation of his heavy body, and thought about improving replacing the original body by one of his own design done of PRFG (plastic reinforced with fiber glass). This 4CV Special won in its class in the Mille Miglia, the recognized Italian race, in 1955. From then, Alpine was distinguished in the preparation of the Renault automobiles. Based on the Renault 8, the Alpine A110 was launched in 1963. It has an engine of 4 cylinders and 956cc prepared by Gordini installed in the rear of a light PRFG body. The front suspension of double independent arm type, whereas the back used oscillating arms. Counting on numerous changes in its existence, the production of the A110 continued until 1977. Between those variants, the 1600SC was the most sofisticated. The engine was replaced by 4 cylinders OHV of 1602cc with Weber carburetor, of 140 HP. The rear suspension was transformed of oscillating arms to double independent arm, improving the driving in route remarkably. The A110 proved its potential dominating all the tests of route disputed between the ‘60 and principles of ‘70. The pinnacle of its career was doubtlessly in 1971, when won the Rally of Monte Carlo and proclaimed worldwide championship of the season. By its numerous victories, the Alpine A110 is an automobile very looked by the lovers of sport vehicles worldwide.

The model kit

The Tamiya scale model of the Alpine A110 is of very good quality, as it has customary in this brand, although suffers of any small “design” defects, as that for the bumpers indicates to paint them in aluminum color, being that it would have to including them with the chromed pieces. It has a good detailing of the chassis and engine, that only with the aggregate of cables and refrigeration pipes gains a lot and when the hood is open not seen to empty. A very good completion for the pieces of the engine gives the Humbrol polish paints. The interior is very well detailed and with a good painting and details in metallized paper for the chromium platings it is perfect. The body was painted with the Humbrol Baltic Blue Nr.52, of very good pigment, and abundant coats of polyester lacquer of Dupont, process this one that has been enough time, but the result worth the trouble, and soon polished with the Micro Mark sandpaper polish set. For the chromium platings I used the Bare Metal Foil Bright Chrome, with very good result, except for the bumpers, that it’s a so large concave form and for his shape is a piece than the metallized paper is very difficult to adhere. In order to conclude, a very good piece of this classic automobile, that with a very little effort improves so much.

Click to enlarge photos
Click to enlarge photos