Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, a famed French really driver and automotive pioneer, Alpine started out small but quickly established itself with the A106, a lightweight sports car based on the small Renault 4CV.
In the years that followed, Alpine continued to grow and hit a home run starting with 1963 when it introduced the Renault-powered A110.
Produced for over a decade, the rear-engined A110 became a successful sports car both on the dealership floor and in motorsport, where it managed to bring home the manufacturers' trophy in the inaugural World Rally Championship (WRC) season.
Alpine became a subsidiary of Renault in 1973, and although it continued to manufacture the iconic A110 until 1977, the brand launched a more modern successor in 1971.
Heavily based on the A110's underpinnings, the new model called A310 made its public debut at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show and went into production a few months later.
Although it showcased a new fiberglass body with refined aerodynamics and a far more modern look, the A310 came with the same Gordini-tuned 1.6-liter inline-four that powered the contemporary A110.
Rated at 122 hp, it seemed potent enough for the 1,852-pound (840-kg) sports car on paper, but in reality, the car felt lazier than the lighter A110 equipped with the same engine.
Moreover, it didn't deliver the same razor-sharp handling as its older sibling and was prone to oversteering. While that was exciting for experienced drivers, it proved dangerous for the uninitiated who wanted to buy their first sports car.
Initially, Alpine planned to use a more powerful V6 engine in the A310, but due to the prolonged development phase of the six-cylinder powerplant, the company was forced to use the aforementioned inline-four.
The result of a collaboration between Peugeot, Renault, and Volvo, the new V6 dubbed PRV - after each carmaker's initials - finally went into production in 1974.
Still, Alpine planned to revamp the A310, so the engine finally made its way into the sports car in late 1976.
Christened A310 V6, the improved version of the sports car was introduced with a number of aesthetic improvements penned by French designer Robert Opron.
With a slightly modernized look, and a 2.6-liter new engine, the A310 V6 was now around 220-pounds (100 kg) heavier, but with 147 hp and sensibly more torque on tap, it accelerated better than the inline-four-powered version.
The oversteering tendency was still present but no longer as evident as before, thanks to better weight distribution and small front suspension improvements.
By 1981, the A310 V6 received the rear axle suspension setup of the Renault 5 Turbo, and road manners improved even further, and the car drew comparisons to the contemporary, naturally-aspirated Porsche 911.
While the German icon was more well-mannered on the road and could deliver more power, the A310 V6 was a bit harder to tame but offered a thrilling driving experience and a more avant-garde design for a lower price.
In 1982, Alpine added a new option called "Pack GT." Inspired by the Group 4 rally version, the option didn't offer any mechanical improvements yet made the A310 V6 look sportier thanks to wider wheel arches, spoilers mounted at the front and rear, as well as larger wheels.
The Pack GT upgrades had an effect on the sports car's aerodynamic efficiency, and handling improved, particularly at higher speeds.
Apart from the Pack GT, the company also introduced the Pack GT Boulogne in 1982. Featuring the same visual upgrades, this second optional package also brought a new Alpine-tuned version of the PRV engine.
Bored out to 2.9 liters and equipped with two triple-throat Weber 46 IDA carbs, this improved motor delivered 190 hp, making the A310 V6 faster than ever before.
However, due to the high price of the option, just 27 of the 9,276 A310 V6 units produced until 1984 were equipped with this option.
Like the A110, the A310 was used by Alpine in their rally efforts. On rallying's biggest stage, the WRC, the sports car, didn't replicate its sibling's success.
Nevertheless, a Works A310 V6 won the French Rally Championship in 1977 with Guy Fréquelin behind the wheel.
Apart from rallying, the A310 V6 also saw use in other motorsport disciplines, mainly endurance racing. One throrougly modified example even competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1977 and 1978 in the GTP category, but failed to finish in its first race and didn't even get to start due to mechanical issues in the second.
Though it was far from the perfect road or race car, the Alpine A310 V6 was a great lightweight sports car that delivered an engaging driving experience.
Currently forgotten and underappreciated, it was a genuine 911 rival that appealed to those who enjoyed a less civilized yet far more exciting driving experience.
Compared to 911s built during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the A310 V6 is currently a far more affordable alternative that deserves to be taken seriously by classic car enthusiasts.
Depending on the state, model year, and equipment, a surviving example can be brought for around $25,000.
For a road test of this underrated gem, we recommend watching the YouTube video below by HubNut.
