Classic & Sportscar Supercar feature with A610

[stephendell]

Forthcoming article, likely to be February 2009 issue.

Group test of 6 super cars (should have been 8 but a couple of italians didn't make it!)

Behind the scenes shots here: http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/ ... dec_08.htm

A610
NSX
911
Urracco
Noble
Esprit V8

Hopefully the comments about the A610 will be complimentary!

[phildini]

ATTENTION TO DETAIL MR DELL!!!!

AERIAL BENT.......NO CENTRE CAP ON THE WHEELS..........MMMMMM

[stephendell]

They liked the aerodynamic aerial!!

The wheels centres was annoying. Actually it had three missing so I pulled the last one off to even it up.

To make it worse Joe had a new set and he forgot to fit them!!

Arial bent due to high terminal speeds ???
No centre caps due to high cornering forses ???

Look forward to the article.... allways liked the NSX, shame about the Italians though (I want one of them too).

[stephendell]

The Merak wouldn't start. The 348 didn't come.

The Urracco made it but unfortunately on the back of a trailer, timing belt had slipped a couple of teeth. Apparently OK now though.

[phildini]

.."simontaylor"........ shame about the Italians though (I want one of them too).

Ask Mrs Dini she has got one of them..... she seems to like it........

Hello,

Just thought I would come say Hi.
I am the one with the NSX and it was lovely to see the A610.

I do remember seeing one at the Motorshow when they came out.
I liked the GTA before it and always felt it was an overlooked Supercar that got overlooked during the Ford RS and XR era.

Anyway it was lovely to meet Steve and Joe - always good to meet fellow petrol headed enthusiasts.

[stephendell]

Hi Sam

Good to meet you too!

Phildini (above) is a closet Honda fan if you can find him a bargain NSX...

Sadly, bargain and NSX doesn't usually belong in the same sentance.

When I bought mine, it was private sale and I could have bought a 5 years younger one at a Honda dealer ....... but mine was the better car so worth the money.

They don't cost that much to run (circa £200 a year for annual service but budget £1,000 when time for cambelt service and a similar amount when time to change the clutch) .....
But if any none routine parts need replacing - usually expensive. Hence, better paying good money for a good example as a more tired example will usually end up costing you more.

On the plus side, being good grade aluminium does mean the ol' tin worm isn't going to be a problem for a lot of years. The engine has a lovely note when you are inside the car, yet is surprisingly quiet from the outside, so doesn't attract a load of attention or upset neighbours.

[stephendell]

Sadly, bargain and NSX doesn't usually belong in the same sentance.

That's very true and on the rare occasion they do the word 'automatic' is usually in there too

When I bought mine, it was private sale and I could have bought a 5 years younger one at a Honda dealer ....... but mine was the better car so worth the money.

It's like that with the Alpines too with condition often more important than age.

[phildini]

"stephendell" Hi Sam

Good to meet you too!

Phildini (above) is a closet Honda fan if you can find him a bargain NSX...

Yes.... and not an AUTO!!!! Hey check out the price for a steering rack for an NSX.....££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

P.S. I work for POOR Honda.....

"stephendell" Hi Sam

Good to meet you too!

Phildini (above) is a closet Honda fan if you can find him a bargain NSX...

Yes.... and not an AUTO!!!! Hey check out the price for a steering rack for an NSX.....££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

P.S. I work for POOR Honda.....

Yup - you are right, autos come in much cheaper ......

Steering rack price is extortionate, but I have the '91 manual coupe ...... manual rack rather than the v expensive power steering rack which came on the auto at this age, then later became standard fit on the manual too (delete option, sadly, not deleted often enough).

My perfect would have been 6-speed, 3.2 manual coupe with manual rack - rocking horse whatsit!!

Do you work at Swindon Phil? I almost became an associate some years back - I got an offer but not good enough of one for me to relocate.

I am not surprised that condition matters more than age with the Alpines, after all - they are an enthusiast car - you don't but the letter on the plate, you buy the nicest example you can and cherish it (and enjoy it). I guess same applies as did when I was looking, you start looking but have to be prepared to wait - good ones don't come up that often so if it takes a year - then you just wait and keep looking.

Hi Samantha, Always really liked the NSX. Great looking, underrated and reliable supercar much like the A610.
I think the condition over age argument goes with most cars. My A610 is one of (if not THE) first in the country and I believe has been well looked after over the years. Whilst not a concourse example, it is 17 years old and is now looking very good. Like you say, as long as you enjoy it and cherish it, that's all that matters. I waited a long time for the right car to come up but haven't regretted buying it for one second.