Renault TV posted these official videos in celebration of their history and the resurrection of the Alpine marque. Car videos are mostly uninspiring, materialistic nonsense–but these Alpine A110 videos are out of this world….maybe because the car is out of this world?
Best part….it’s in English! So my rudimentary and primitive French translation doesn’t have to be challenged like it normally does with Alpine videos.
I am in love with fonts. In a different life, i would sit in a studio all day designing fonts. I am perpetually looking at fonts: on signs, on websites, in films, on cars, on badging, on artwork, in books, in magazines, old, new, ugly, beautiful—they just fascinate me!
Here’s a wicked and creative video flashing the history of typography in 5 minutes, by Ben Barrett-Forest:
src: huh
The MK1 TT is quite simply the most beautiful German car design in…what…the last 50 years….since the original Porsche 911, in my humblest opinion. The 80s and early 90s were pretty dark and depressing times for German car design which entered a comfort zone of drab, unimaginative, uncreative designs (except Porsche, who were always putting together interesting cars)..and the TT put an end to those dark ages. Timeless, ageless, and pure…..and with rumours of the next-generation MK3 TT being heavily influenced by the original, the MK1 TT’s legend will continue to grow.
Here’s the original 1995 MK1 TT Concept….the automotive design equivalent of punk rock in 1995! I have turned the original manufacturer photos in B&W to fully appreciate the geometry and design pornography!
It is astounding to me that the MK1 TT Coupe that sits in my garage (for the last 10+ years) is virtually identical to this concept, barring a few select details.
Came across this fantastic photo taken by Mark Thomas of a Triumph TR6 and a big dog….
“The Boulevard” by Gino Severini (c. 1911). A part of the glorious Futurism movement.
src: jacobcharleswilson
cars are boring. but not this one. i want it : Alpine A310 V6 Pack GT.
This is beautiful. I wish my Anatomy books looked like this when I was in Med. School. A concept for a futuristic/re-imagined/beautiful anatomy/osteology book by Irene Shkarovska.
Irene: if you’re reading this. I want a copy….or two! Just take my money. I’m blown away.
video:
Buzzfeed has a very cool list of the “33 Most Beautiful Abandoned Places In The World”. Here are some of my favourites from that list. Check out their article for the locations and the rest of the list.
it’s that shape….far beyond just a machine..into the realm of pure art….iconic, thought-provoking, timeless, old, new, beautiful, and always interesting.
2001 Audi TT 225 Coupe quattro, owned and driven hard by IEDEI since 2003.
Has Sergio Marchionne finally buckled? Is Audi buying Alfa Romeo? Let’s hope so!
Ward reports:
“Alfa Romeo is at the core of top-level negotiations between Audi and Fiat and might be near to a sale, reliable sources here and in Ingolstadt, Germany, say. Sources close to both Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and Audi CEO Rupert Stadler confirm the two are in talks over a major deal.
The top subject reportedly involves the sale of Alfa, but this time not only the brand but Fiat’s Pomigliano assembly plant also is on the table. If the discussions bear fruit, the facility would return to building Alfas under Audi. Pomigliano was built in the late 1960s specifically for Alfa production, but currently makes the Fiat Panda.”
src: Wards
I’ve been listening to this quite a bit while I get my work done. Really fantastic stuff. Made even better by the fact that you can download much of their stuff quite easily (and freely most of the time at the link below). Really love their artwork as well; entirely adds to the listening experience. They are from Germany.
download Vortex Rikers records at their Bandcamp
How this lovely Amulet Red MK1 Audi TT flew into a house is beyond me….possibly launching off the side of one of the parked cars? Definitely bizarre. Hope all are OK.
src: Sun via Fourtitude
This is heading to 2013 Le Mans in the LMP2 category! I’m so excited my Alpine neurons are spazzing out.
src: renault
Le Mans is coming in June! Exciting times this year with the return of Alpine. What better way to celebrate than a tribute to the wonderful Matra 670. The video at the bottom is really quite wicked.
this beautiful painting is by Yuriy Shevchuk:
video:
src photos: motorlegend
I was expecting an announcement for 2014 Le Mans, but Renault has somewhat surprised everybody by announcing that there will be an Alpine badged car racing the LMP2 class in THIS year’s Le Mans. Wow. They’ve also released the ‘teaser’ pic above (tastefully tweaked by yours truly).
Here are some quotes directly from Renault:
“Today, another important step has been taken with the announcement that an Alpine prototype is to race in the competitive 2013 European Le Mans Series endurance racing championship (ELMS), as well as at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours (June 22-23).
The decision to compete at Le Mans fits perfectly with the brand’s heritage, since Alpine contested the famous 24-Hour race 11 times between 1963 and 1978, running a total of 55 factory cars. In addition to its successes in the ‘Energy Index’ classification in 1964, 1965 and 1968, as well as in the ‘Performance Index’ classification in 1968 and 1969, its efforts harvested seven class wins in total and, above all, outright victory in 1978 with the Alpine A442B prototype shared by Jean-Pierre Jaussaud and Didier Pironi. The two Frenchmen were joined in the top four by the A442 of Jean Ragnotti and Guy Fréquelin.
For its return to Le Mans, Alpine has joined forces with Signatech. The Philippe Sinault-run team will enter an Alpine LM P2 prototype with an Alpine chassis powered by a 500hp Nissan engine for the five rounds of the ELMS, including the opening race at Silverstone, England (April 13). The drivers will be Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues.
The highlight of the season will naturally be the Le Mans 24 Hours. The name of the third driver who will join the team for the world’s most famous endurance race will be announced when the car is officially presented at Le Castellet, France, on March 24.
Said Carlos Tavares, Chief Operating Officer, Renault: “Alpine’s return to the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours in 2013 marks the beginning of a new adventure which is set to last. The passion that drives us is matched only by the humility and careful attention paid to costs that epitomise this comeback which itself has been made possible thanks to the involvement of our partners and supporters who I would like to thank formally here. Together, step by step, we will do our very best to write another exciting page in the history of Alpine, a truly outstanding name in the world of French sports cars.””
I AM SO EXCITED.
src: renault press services
It’s been a while since I posted some new photos. I am exclusively using my 21mm Elmarit on the M8 these days….an amazing wider angle lens, and a whole lot of fun to shoot with:
An announcement is expected Friday to hear Renault introducing the plans for their return to endurance racing! LMP2 is surely expected by the 2014 racing season with possible LMP1 ambitions as well, and the engines are expected to carry the ALPINE badge! Renaultsport (which evolved out of the original Alpine after it stopped making cars 20+ years ago) will be tuning them and involved with the engine construction. All of this seems consistent with the Renault plan to resurrect one of the finest racing and rallying marques ever! I wonder if the cars themselves will be badged “Alpine-Renault” like the old days.
IEDEI is, of course, devoted to Alpine news and will offer updates as they come in. My biggest issue is going to be whether I root for Audi or Alpine? I have stayed up to watch almost all Le Mans races for the past several years….and am a die hard Audi fanboy. If Alpine makes it to LMP1 against Audi…..it will be very very tough for me to root against the boys in blue.
Exciting news.
BTW, to fuel the imagination, here is an interesting ‘re-interpretation’ (rendering) of the glorious Alpine A220 by Racing Emotion found at le Blog Auto. Obviously this is not a realistic vision, but still entertaining to look at!
src: racecarEngineering
it’s been a long time since i posted a photo of a Fulvia. oh…..and being driven like a man!
Bollywood to the rescue. I’ve watched this scene about 10 times now….and i’m still overflowing with laughter.
what was made, what was made very little of, and what was never made. All three are quattro icons.
src: audi australia
This thing is out of this world. Quite honestly one of the most stunning race cars i’ve ever seen. One of 2 surviving Alpine A220 V8 prototypes developed, but never raced. On display now at Retromobile 2013. Currently privately owned, according to Renault Classic.
src: Renault Classic
my mate Neil (ex-Mainline, ex-Brothers Movement) is now in a band called Sweet Jane, who last year released this cover of the Moody Blues’ “Nights In White Satin”. Pretty fantastic.
