Marked by fire. 50 years since the Alpinche premiere in competition

Alpinche photographs: Estanislao Reverter Foundation

Perhaps it is due to the large number of twisty sections between village and village. Or perhaps because of the rainy hours that invite you to take shelter indoors doing manual labor instead of spending time outdoors. But the product is the same: the enormous love of rallying in the northwest quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula. It is there, especially in Galicia, where a multitude of fans and teams are the protagonists of mechanical modifications and sporting events that are much more common than in other areas of the country.

A perfect environment for the development of symbols so special to Spanish motorsport such as Stanislaus Revert and his Alpinche. A machine that today 13th August celebrates half a century since its first race on the occasion of the IX Rías Bajas Rally. Competition in which he would be twice champion, after having achieved third position during its premiere in 1971. Something more than meritorious. Since, as in the entire history of the vehicle, things seemed more the result of chance and the impetus of Estanislao Reverter than of a sober and normal event.

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In this case, the Alpinche's first contact with the competition was marked by a strong fire in the workshop where the finishing touches were being given. An incident that almost ended in tragedy when the Reverter himself suffocated him alone with the help of a fire extinguisher. A brave act by which the Alpinche was saved from the flames, but which at the same time caused burns on the face and hands of its creator and pilot. A true rally fan who, against all odds, arrived during the mid-afternoon of that August 13, 1971 to the verifications of the IX Rías Bajas Rally.

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ALPINCHE. MAKING OF MISFORTUNE VIRTUE

Adapting to changes and unforeseen events is an evolutionary necessity. So much so that, with a single glance at nature, we can find several cases where a virtue of what was a problem in the first place has been made. A scientific argument that in the case of Estanislao Reverter and his Alpinche is perfectly fulfilled. Then what has become one of the most important rally cars on the Spanish scene was born from an accident. Specifically the one that José Pavón had with a Porsche 911 R owned by Reverter. Crashing it against a petrile in the descent of the Rodicio during the IV Rally of Orense in 1970.

A crash so strong that it forced parts of the bodywork and other elements to be undone. Although the motor was retained by Reverter for a risky idea but not lacking in logic. Incorporate it into an Alpine A110. The rally car with the best dynamic behavior of the moment along with much better ones like the Lancia Stratos. So things, Reverter begins a craft work together with the mechanics to modify the rear subframe in order to mount the 911 engine. A process where the Alpine A110 is constantly changing, receiving all kinds of new parts with origins as diverse as the rear axle or the bearings. Extracted from a VW Beetle and a Land Rover respectively.

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Of course, always operating under the slogan of Reverter, who opted to take advantage and couple, but never deform. A way of doing things that was aimed at the Alpinche, conceived with the lightness of the A110 and the power of the six-cylinder Porsche. All this to deliver 220CV for only 600 kilos. Mix so efficient that the front axle would lift when accelerating. For this reason, two fins had to be incorporated, playing with aerodynamics to stick the car to the ground and thus make it manageable with the steering.

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A PREMIERE AGAINST THE FIRE

As we have seen, the genesis of the Alpinche itself was already bold and surprising. Two characteristics that always haunted it, since for years it did not stop receiving appearance changes and mechanical updates. A long life full of good places in Rally Spain. Which It could have been truncated days before taking the start in the IX Rías Bajas Rally in 1970. All due to a fire caused by the cigarette butt of a client in the Land Rover workshops owned by Reverter, in which the last adjustments were being made to the Alpinche already registered with the OR-31516 plate.

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Reportedly, out of curiosity to see what was being cooked in the workshop, this customer entered a reserved area where cans of 98 octane super gasoline were stored. The necessary for competition cars, supplied from those in only two gas stations in Galicia. Suddenly, the flames produced by the inopportune cigarette butt caused a strong fire that affected the area where the Alpinche was located. Faced with the general rout, only Estanislao Reverter faced the flames with a fire extinguisher. Smothering the fire but also suffering burns to his face and hands.

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A situation with which very few thought that he was going to take the start - a few days after - of the Rías Bajas Rally. Thus, When Reverter appeared at the checks that afternoon on August 13, 1971 covered in ointments against his scorched skin, the surprise was capital.. Even more so when he was third, reaching the top of the ranking in the following two years. Undoubtedly an epic premiere for the Alpinche, which now turns 50 since its first race about to be meticulously restored by the Estanislao Reverter Foundation.

Something that we will inform you with much more details shortly.