1968 Alpine A110 1100 ‘Bulgaralpine’
Born from an extraordinary Cold War collaboration, this fiberglass-bodied French sports car became one of automotive history’s rarest variants when manufactured behind the Iron Curtain.
The Bulgaralpine resulted from a partnership between Alpine and ETO Bulet, with production running from 1967 to 1969 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Built on Alpine’s signature steel backbone chassis with lightweight fiberglass bodywork, the A110 was among the pioneers of this construction method for superior performance.
The distinctive berlinetta design featured flowing curves and fixed headlights that defined the 1960s sports car aesthetic.
Power came from a rear-mounted 1108 cc Renault engine producing approximately 66 to 95 horsepower depending on specification, paired with either four- or five-speed manual transmissions.
Weighing just 1,367 pounds (620 kg), the A110’s exceptional power-to-weight ratio delivered remarkable performance.
Production estimates vary between 60 and 120 total examples, with French engineers training Bulgarian specialists in the specialized fiberglass manufacturing techniques.
Two Bulgaralpine cars even competed in the 1968 Monte Carlo Rally, representing this unique automotive diplomatic achievement.
Source
