Petite et parfaite

Maybe it is the time of year with the 2023 Rallye Monte Carlo tangibly looming on the horizon that makes me start thinking about previous event glories.  Given the preceding two Spotlights this month, it is a predictable guess that I would cite the Porsche 356 as, for me, one of the most attractive automotive body shapes competing in the Monte Carlo during the 1950s.

Perhaps surprisingly then I have to say that the ruggedly reliable Stuttgarter favoured by Denis Jenkinson and others takes the flag in second when compared with the first model of another legendary automotive dynasty - the Alpine A106.

OttOmobile has previously modelled the A106 in straightforward street guise in white (OT014) and red (OT593), and although extremely attractive, both are surpassed by this the latest version.

Ottomobile Alpine A106 - 1960 RMC (OT543)

The petite and evocative A106, with is glassfibre body over a Renault 4CV base, was first introduced at the 1955 Paris Motor Show and kicked off the automotive history legend that is Alpine.

OttOmobile has now enhanced its street guise A106 by fully detailing it up as car #166 that secured eighteenth place overall in the 1960 Rallye Monto Carlo at the hands of Jacques Feret. As such, it makes an absolutely enchanting vintage rally model in every respect.

Without a doubt the first thing that was obvious about this little OttOmobile model, whilst it was waiting its turn in the queue for this month’s photoshoot, was just how petite the A106 actually was. At just 210mm long, it looked so small compared with all the 1/18 scale Porsches sat alongside it. Although a relative nightmare to photograph against a white backdrop the model looks gorgeous in its pure white paintwork, which serves to flaunt to the legendary red and white Rallye Monte Carlo competitors plates and stark black ‘166’ competitors numbers on its doors.

Although fairly simplistic with its curvaceous styling and period-correct fittings, the model very convincingly depicts the A106 in its era. Indeed, it not only shared the Renault 4CV mechanical base, but had fittings evocative of the style of the donor series production model as well. These are particularly evident from the rear three-quarter view.

From its quintessentially French yellow bulbed front lights, past its classic 1950s style steering wheel, to the authentic number plates hanging on its tail end, this is just one those models that you have got to have for no other reason than the pure ‘joie de vivre’ engendered by a beautifully made scale model of a very pretty car. It so good that it also fuelled a hunger in me to see more releases from OttOmobile reaching back into the 1950s in both street and (of course) Monte Carlo guise.