Renault Alpine for sale.

[Chris Burns]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/180887527824

[dmc6960]

Vin number not entered due to ebay inability to recognize a non North American vin number.

I take it this car wasn't native to Canada (where its currently being sold) then.

Nice engine. Does this thing have an intercooler in the rear fascia? After the charged air comes out of the turbo, it appears it goes through the pipe with the "Turbo" labeled on it and continues into the rear. It then comes out of the rear to the throttle intake with the "V6" label on it. This engine also has the intake/TB/injectors/rails which Martin has occasionally been selling to EFI folks.

[Dangermouse]

Want :headbang:

That frame looks very DeLorean-ish

[pezzonovante88]

Its incredible to think of even less common cars to see than our DeLoreans. I've certainly never seen one, though that one is located about a half-hour from my house.

[Dangermouse]

I think the fact that it was never sold in NA has a lot to do with this one 😄

[Cory W]

I take it this car wasn't native to Canada (where its currently being sold) then.

While you still see the occasional sign at old shops for Citroen, Peugeot, and Renault repair in Canada (particularly in Quebec!), we never got the Alpine. Mostly the same stuff the US got through AMC.

Canada allows vehicles in without costly compliance modifications 15 years after the date of manufacture. Last I checked, the US stopped being so picky at 25 years. If a US buyer wanted to bring this car home, they may be in for a surprise at the border.

http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig100111.pdf

[DMCVegas]

http://medicaltourismbusinessnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/really-want.jpg


If a US buyer wanted to bring this car home, they may be in for a surprise at the border.

Very true. There was a guy on the DML years ago who bought and imported an A310 and found it got held up in customs because of these standards. Don't know if he ever got the car back. Also recent stories about ICE siezing and crushing Nissan Skylines and Sylvias out in California make me worried too.

Don't know about importing vehicles from Mexico though. I've seen lots of places in Vegas and Houston that specialize in importing vehicles from down south, but don't know if it's for permanent or temporary residents. Mexico gets cool cars that I wish I could bring here as well...

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pimpablo/Ramcharger2.jpg

[pezzonovante88]

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pimpablo/Ramcharger2.jpg

THAT is a Frankenstein car if I've ever seen one. Wow! A "Ram Charger". Its like a Dodge Cararamango or Ramacaravango or Duramavan Okay I'll stop :facepalm:

[Dangermouse]

Wtf is that?

Made me think of the Johnny Cash song "One Piece at a time"

"Una pieza a la vez" by Juan Dinero

[DMCVegas]

THAT is a Frankenstein car if I've ever seen one. Wow! A "Ram Charger". Its like a Dodge Cararamango or Ramacaravango or Duramavan Okay I'll stop :facepalm:

Nope, it's real. Not a one-off from a coachbuilder, but an actual production vehicle from the factory.

Back in the 90's when Chrysler switched over the the new body style, they also created a Ram Charger version, but for whatever reason didn't bring it to the U.S., but instead they released it in Mexico only. Once the SUV craze took off, Chrysler realized their mistake and wanted to bring it back across the border, but the rising fuel prices killed the project.

From the doors forward it's a RAM 1500. Delete the rear cab panel, stamp out unique side panels, roof panel, and rear floor plan, and then just welded a Caravan hatch and rear along with a custom bumper, and there you have it. The Ram Charger. Allpar.com has a section on the Ram Charger, and at the bottom you can see some info on this version. Read about it here. (http://www.allpar.com/trucks/ramcharger.html)

Mexico and other countries down south get some pretty interesting vehicles

[DCUK Martin]

Nice engine. Does this thing have an intercooler in the rear fascia? After the charged air comes out of the turbo, it appears it goes through the pipe with the "Turbo" labeled on it and continues into the rear. It then comes out of the rear to the throttle intake with the "V6" label on it. .

Yes the intercooler is between the rear lights and air is ducted off the rear screen and through the spoiler to come out through the cooler.

The chassis is a steel/fibreglass monocoque with the steel sections glued to the fibreglass which makes repairing tin-worm damage a whole heap of hell.

The GTA might look like a nice car, adn they're fabulous to drive, but you get the impression everything was done on a really tight budget. The DeLorean is more comfortable, better built and MUCH easier to service/restore.

[82DMC12]

Yes the intercooler is between the rear lights and air is ducted off the rear screen and through the spoiler to come out through the cooler.

The chassis is a steel/fibreglass monocoque with the steel sections glued to the fibreglass which makes repairing tin-worm damage a whole heap of hell.

The GTA might look like a nice car, adn they're fabulous to drive, but you get the impression everything was done on a really tight budget. The DeLorean is more comfortable, better built and MUCH easier to service/restore.

Well it looked pretty easy on wheeler dealers!

[DCUK Martin]

That was an A310, not a GTA.

[jerzybondov]

That was an A310, not a GTA.

What did they change on the GTA, other than the body design?

[DMCVegas]

Well it looked pretty easy on wheeler dealers!

Everything is easy to work on when your idea of working on a car is "Hey, Ed China, fix this shit for me!".

[82DMC12]

After the DeLorean episode, I started dvr'ing Wheeler Dealers. Love it!

[MML]

After the DeLorean episode, I started dvr'ing Wheeler Dealers. Love it!

I managed to find all 10 or so series of it, everything from the very beginning, and watched it all through over a couple of weeks. Great series.

[82DMC12]

Where? Not on netflix or hulu.

[DCUK Martin]

What did they change on the GTA, other than the body design?


http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/A310.HTM

http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/GTA_the_cars.htm

Bascially it's a completely different car with only a shared conceptual design of rear egnined, 2+ 2 made of steel/fibreglass

[DMCVegas]

I've gotta say that I was quite surprised to find out after word of the DeLorean episode got out that there were so many others here that watch this show too. The first time I saw Wheeler Dealers was at work a couple of years ago. I was flipping around on a test TV and saw these guys wrenching on a SAAB and it caught my attention. I went home and started recording the series and watch it almost religiously. Having flipped a couple of cars in the past, it was something that was right up my alley. The only downside of this now is that between WD, working on British cars, and reading so many posts form UK sites, I've started using Brit vernacular on lots of stuff. Dizzys, Patent Parts, and telling people to head to the "Breakers" for spare parts. With such a forign influence over the years on my learning, I now feel like this guy:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Pg-p_7F5d8/R1hyGuk6xTI/AAAAAAAAAmk/JVjOQjDDF24/s320/better+off+dead+racers.jpg

Wheeler Dealers is pretty much the only show on Velocity that I watch, and IMO really the only one worth watching now aside from those random Muscle Car episodes with Chip Foose. "What's my car worth?" is pretty much the most retarded show ever. I've seen 3 episodes, and the guys are NEVER right about the sales prices. And whenever they're wrong it's absolutely not their fault. It's always some excuse about the right buyer NOT being at the auction or some such nonsense. Not into motor cycles, and I'm sick and tired of muscle cars and anything else that will be behind ropes that I'll never get to touch. Maybe that's why I've always loved this show so much. Even though the cars are European and mostly ones that I'll never get my hands on, they are acquirable. If they did an American version of this show with good hosts that have the same kind of chemistry, and especially Edd's low ego factor where the whole show is about the cars and not posing in front of the camera, I'd watch in a heartbeat regardless of what they worked on.

While we're at it, can Discovry PLEASE bring back "Classic Car Club"?
http://www.nyt.co.uk/penny-mallory.jpg

That show was like a video catalog of classic cars marques for the collector looking to expand their garage.

[DMCVegas]

http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/A310.HTM

http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/GTA_the_cars.htm

Bascially it's a completely different car with only a shared conceptual design of rear egnined, 2+ 2 made of steel/fibreglass

With a very interesting Quote right here:

"In 1986 polyester parts were cut for the first time by robot using a high pressure (3500 bar) water jet, 0.15mm in diameter at three times the speed of sound! In the same year the American specification V6 Turbo was developed."

The photo was black and white, but that looks exactly like the Eagle Alpine photo that I once saw. The exception being the Eagle badge having been in the center where the Renault diamond is, but was probably just an altered photo. Very interesting on the custom side markers and the front wrap around signals too. That is the first time I've ever seen something beyond just a concept that the Alpine GTA was coming to the U.S.

[DCUK Martin]

...Patent Parts...

I think you mean "pattern parts" ;) Made to the same pattern as a production part but by someone else.

Can I also suggest you look up "a car is born" on Streetfire. There're others in the same vein like "a bike is born" and "an MG is born" all presented by the same bloke. Low budget telly but still thoroughly engaging for the car geeks in us.


http://www.streetfire.net/video/a-car-is-born-episode-1_704503.htm

[DMCVegas]

I think you mean "pattern parts" ;) Made to the same pattern as a production part but by someone else.

Chances are you're right. Mike's thick accent probably threw me off. :lol: I also never understood why people in the UK and down under feel the need to always place an unessisarry "R" after "A" when speaking. Especially at the end of a sentencem but that's another story...


Can I also suggest you look up "a car is born" on Streetfire. There're others in the same vein like "a bike is born" and "an MG is born" all presented by the same bloke. Low budget telly but still thoroughly engaging for the car geeks in us.


http://www.streetfire.net/video/a-car-is-born-episode-1_704503.htm

Aaaand that's it. Any hope I had of getting anything done today is gone...:D

[DCUK Martin]

I also never understood why people in the UK and down under feel the need to always place an unessisarry "R" after "A" when speaking. Especially at the end of a sentencem but that's another story...


Nope - you'll have to help me with that one... gimme an example...

[DMCMW Dave]

Nope - you'll have to help me with that one... gimme an example...

Pronoucing "America" as "Americur" for example.

[DMCVegas]

Nope - you'll have to help me with that one... gimme an example...

Well there is how people say "arse" instead of ass. But it's so ingrained now that the spelling has changed.

Here is a prime example through of what I'm talking about:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3C7DECI0jU

Every time he says the title the second time without fail.

[DCUK Martin]

To be fair "arse" and "ass" are two different words over here and said completely differently. I never thought about how I say “America” before, but I certainly don’t say “americur” as in “fur”. It is subtle though I’ll grant you.

It's funny you'd pick Liam Gallagher as an example of english pronunciation! Go with someone like Patrick Stewart or Ian McKellan (thinking of X-Men) and definitely not Don Cheadle’s abysmal accent in Oceans 11-13… it’s quite painful to watch.

...but we digress...!

The GTA represents what the DeLorean could have been in terms of handling. Anyone who says the engine is in the wrong place, that the steering can’t be any lighter without power assistance or that the PRV is a crappy engine (or while I’m on the subject that the transmission isn’t strong enough to handle more power) needs to try driving a GTA. Still buggers to work on compared to the Delorean though. For example the entire loom seems to be made from yellow wire, the A-pillars are made from chocolate, the coolant goes rusty 5 minutes off the forecourt because all the coolant pipework is mild steel, you have to dismantle the whole rear of the car to get the gearbox out and the whole front of the car to get the streering rack out. There’re several examples of two brackets being used to hold a third bracket and all the bolts seem to have been made from cheese so shear off beautifully when you go to undo them after 20 years.

[Martyn]

init.

[valdez]

Chances are you're right. Mike's thick accent probably threw me off. :lol: I also never understood why people in the UK and down under feel the need to always place an unessisarry "R" after "A" when speaking. Especially at the end of a sentencem but that's another story...

I thought extra the "R" thing happens more in Americur.
Like "I have a good Idear"

[DMCVegas]

Yeah, Patrick Stewart does indeed focus more upon his pronunciations, true. Though everytime someone mentions him, this is all I can think of:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdzxjg_cakes_fun


I thought extra the "R" thing happens more in Americur.
Like "I have a good Idear"

No no, that's AMURICA! Haven't heard anyone not wearing a seersucker suit say idear in a long time. Seems to have been much in the past. And probably influenced by some English people...:tongue2:

Anyhow, I'd honestly love to own a GTA one day. The DeLorean is the car I learned car repair on, and in that time I fell in love with the PRV. That engine just has gobs of torque. It's not a drag racer no, but many times I've been in traffic and come up on a steep hill. That PRV would just keep pulling right up the hill like it wasn't even there while other cars and SUVs would just slow down and fall way back like the hit something. I'd love to one day up the power output of my car, though I'd prefer to keep the PRV and get one of Josh's turbo charged 3.0L engines. It's just a great engine.

As for the handling, the DeLorean really isn't that bad when you've got some decent shocks, brakes, and above all tires/tyres. My Yokohama AVS intermediates are what made me swear to never own Japanese tires again. They had the absolute worst grip I've ever seen. Driving on wet pavement was like black ice. Got some sticky Cooper Cobras and it was a night and day difference. There are at least two times that come to mind, and more that I've forgotten about from years in the past where I came damn close to wrecking my DeLorean. But those tires made all the difference in maintaining as well as regaining control and keeping me and the car safe. I also found too that with those tires I never had a problem steering with one hand either. Maybe I'm lucky, or maybe it's because I learned to drive without power steering, but I've always found the non-powered rack on the DeLorean to be easy enough to operate with little resistance.

[DMCVegas]

init.

must.resist.urge.to wear.burberry!

[denis45700]

Could this car even be imported to the USA.

[Dangermouse]

I think there is a over 25 year category that this would fall into that bypasses a lot of the federal compliance laws.

Of course your state may differ.

[denis45700]

I think there is a over 25 year category that this would fall into that bypasses a lot of the federal compliance laws.

Of course your state may differ.
I know about the 25 year rule. I imported a RHD 1983 Mercedes G wagen from Ireland. This car is only 21 years old.

[Dangermouse]

How did I miss that? Sorry bout that.

[DCUK Martin]

If there is a compliance issue, look at the GTA LeMans. It's a prettier car anyway and had a cat-equipped engine.

http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/images/Images%20D/Dieppe%2001%20GTA%20Le%20Mans%20SF.JPG

Of course there's then the A610 which was also catted

http://motoburg.com/images/alpine-a610-turbo-04.jpg

[Dangermouse]

I didn't realize that Canada has a 15 year rule, not a 25, which explains why this GTA is there.

http://jalopnik.com/5859623/disagree-with-25+year-car-import-ban-sign-this-petition

[DCUK Martin]

We do like to moan in this country but when it comes to importing a car it really is ridiculously simple. If it's over 10 years old, all it needs is an MOT which is the same test every car over 3 years old has to pass once a year. Imports often require a rear foglight but otherwise you just need to prove the car's yours and the import tax was paid.