1967 Alpine 1300 Dimensions, Size & Specs

The Alpine 1300 weighs approximately 700 kilograms (1,543 pounds), which is quite light compared to many contemporaries. This lightweight design significantly contributes to the car's lively performance and excellent handling characteristics. The reduced mass allows for more responsive acceleration, agile cornering, and better braking efficiency, key attributes for a classic sports coupe. The lightweight chassis combined with the modest engine output means the Alpine 1300 delivers driving enjoyment through balance and finesse rather than outright power, making it a favorite among enthusiasts who appreciate classic lightweight performance cars.

The Alpine 1300 is designed as a two-seater sports coupe emphasizing driver engagement and lightweight construction rather than spacious comfort. The interior is snug, designed mainly for the driver and a passenger, with limited rear or additional seating. The focus is on providing a sporty, focused driving environment rather than maximizing passenger room or cargo space. While headroom and legroom are adequate for average-sized adults, the compact design means larger passengers might feel a little constrained on longer trips. Overall, the interior prioritizes performance-oriented layout over size or luxury.

Yes, the Alpine 1300 fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. Given its compact dimensions, with a length of around 3.93 meters (154.7 inches), width of 1.6 meters (63 inches), and height just over 1.23 meters (48.4 inches), it occupies significantly less space than full-size modern vehicles. Most standard garages are designed with a width of at least 2.4 to 3.0 meters (7.9 to 9.8 feet) and length of over 5 meters (16.4 feet), making the Alpine 1300 easier to park and maneuver within tight spaces. Its low height also helps when it comes to fitting under garage door openers or clearance limitations.

The Alpine 1300 model from 1970 followed the earlier A110 series variants from the 1960s. Compared to its predecessors, the 1300 maintained a very similar compact and lightweight form factor, with only minor adjustments in dimensions. The length and width remained close to previous models, ensuring continuity in the characteristic sporty and agile handling. There was a focus on refining aerodynamics and slightly modernizing the design, but the core dimensions and the lightweight principle established by earlier generations were preserved. Therefore, the 1300 generation did not represent a major change in size but refined the existing successful formula.

The Alpine 1300’s compact size and sleek coupe styling positioned it competitively among early 1970s sports cars like the Porsche 911 (early models), Fiat 124 Sport Spider, and certain British coupes such as the MG MGB GT. Its length of roughly 3.93 meters (154.7 inches) was shorter than most of these cars, making it particularly nimble in tight corners. While many contemporaries offered greater width and interior space, the Alpine’s focus was clearly on lightness and agility rather than luxury or size. The distinct French styling and rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout gave it a unique character in its segment. Overall, compared to similar cars, the Alpine 1300 had a smaller footprint but delivered excellent driving dynamics.

The Alpine 1300, being a lightweight sports coupe, has a modest fuel tank capacity designed for balance between weight and range. Its fuel tank typically holds around 40 liters (approximately 10.6 US gallons). As for luggage capacity, the Alpine 1300 offers a small rear cargo area, roughly estimated to accommodate small bags or sports equipment. The compact design resulted in limited boot space due to the rear-engine layout and coupe styling. Therefore, while sufficient for short trips or weekend drives, the luggage capacity isn't suited for large loads, reflecting the car’s pure sports car ethos rather than practicality.

The Alpine 1300 was equipped with a 1.3-liter (1,290 cc) inline-4 engine, producing in the range of 90 to 96 horsepower depending on the variant and tuning. This relatively small engine size contributed to the car's lightweight and nimble characteristics. Despite modest power output by today's standards, the Alpine 1300's low weight of around 700 kilograms (1,543 pounds) allowed it to achieve an engaging performance experience, with quick acceleration and responsive handling. It was designed to be a balanced and practical sports coupe rather than an outright high-powered car, making it ideal for spirited driving on twisty roads and rallies.

Maintaining an Alpine 1300 today requires some dedication due to its vintage status. While it is a relatively simple and mechanical car compared to modern vehicles, sourcing parts can occasionally be challenging. However, enthusiasts groups, specialized suppliers, and vintage car clubs often have access to reproduction or NOS (New Old Stock) parts. The mechanical components like the 1.3-liter engine and chassis are durable, and routine maintenance such as oil changes, brake service, and tuning is straightforward for a knowledgeable mechanic. Overall, it’s quite manageable to keep an Alpine 1300 running well with the right support network and some patience.

The Alpine 1300 stands out as one of the quintessential French sports cars of the early 1970s. Compared to contemporaries like the Simca 1000 Rallye or smaller Panhard sports cars, the Alpine offered a more dedicated performance focus, with its rear-engine layout and lightweight chassis contributing to superior handling and driver engagement. While other French sports cars might have emphasized affordability or basic performance, the Alpine 1300 combined rally-proven technology and styling to create a more competitive and spirited driving machine. Its niche was clearly focusing on enthusiasts wanting a balanced, approachable sports coupe with French flair.