What Car -- What Event?

[jluetjen]

OK, Here's a bit of trivia...

What car is leading the 911 in this picture?



Anyone care to venture a guess for the event and why it is notable?

[jyl]

Renault Alpine.

[jluetjen]

Yup, another rear engined supercar, abiet in a very french mold. Care to guess the year and event?

[Paul Franssen]

Alpine A110, Targa Florio, 1971.
Notorious in that the Alpine beat the excess weight off the 911.
(Flame, flame, flame away..)

[jluetjen]

Paul;
Yes. Yes. NO.

I'll let your comments about the A110 versus the 911 stand on their own...

I guess I'll keep this open a little longer.

[tchanson]

John,

Didn't the little frogs win a championship in '73? Or at least a Targa class win?

I've always had a soft spot for the A110's, especially in comparison to the bloated by comparison Alpines that followed. There are a few that I'm familiar with that are pretty actively campaigned in vintage events. Very interesting cars.

Thanks again for the great photo!

Tim

[jluetjen]

Bingo;
Here's the complete caption...

World Championship of Makes

An Alpine A110 Renault competes in the last ever Targa Florio. World Championship of Makes, 57th Targa Florio, Little Madonie, Sicily, Italy, 13 May 1973.

I found it on this site which has pages and pages of old racing pictures. I'm not sure if Cegerer had found this trove yet, so I figured I'd do a quick Mystery Picture prior to sharing.

BTW, Here's a picture of a real "Fat Bottomed" 911 from the collection.



Unfortunately (or not) most of the pictures are either F1 Cars or from British events, or a combination of both so there are very few Porsche pictures.

Here's one more of Sterling Moss driving a Porsche 550 in a non-Championship F1 race. Go figure!



Unfortunately I guess he didn't finish.

[cegerer]

Wow! Cool site, great photos. Thanks John!

[juanbenae]

that frenchy rig in the first shot looks like a 997...

[}{arlequin]

I wish "Legends of Motorsport" would do a show about the Targa Florio. I'd love to watch some vintage footage of those machines blasting through town.

[jluetjen]

I wish "Legends of Motorsport" would do a show about the Targa Florio.

You know, over a year ago I sent a note to the Speedvision site complimenting them on the "Victory by Design" series and suggesting/requesting that they should expand on the idea and have Alain test drive other classic race cars. My suggestion was McLarens, Chaperals, etc. Of course I never heard back from them, but they did just come out with the updated and expanded Victory by Design. Hmmm, I wonder.

You should send your Targa idea to them.