Jean Rédélé facts for kids

Jean Rédélé (born May 17, 1922, in Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, died August 10, 2007, in Paris) was a very important person in the world of cars. He was a skilled pilot, a car dealer, and most famously, the founder of the famous French sports car brand, Alpine.

Early Life and Passion for Cars

Jean Rédélé grew up with a strong interest in cars. After finishing his studies, he became the youngest Renault car dealer in France. His dealership was located in his hometown of Dieppe. This job gave him a deep understanding of cars and their potential.

Racing Adventures Begin

Rédélé believed that the small French car, the Renault 4CV, had a lot of hidden power for racing. In 1950, he decided to test this idea by entering a rally race from Dieppe to Rouen. To everyone's surprise, he won this first race! This victory made him want to continue racing.

After trying the famous Monte Carlo Rally, Jean Rédélé started racing in the challenging French Alps. It was in these mountain races that he found his greatest success and victories. Because of these important wins in the Alps, he decided to name his car brand "Alpine." This name was a special way to remember his first big victory in the 1954 Coupe des Alpes race.

Creating His Own Cars

Jean Rédélé didn't just race cars; he also started building his own special versions. His first custom car was a 4CV coach, built in 1952. Two years later, in 1954, he showed another unique car called "The Marquis" at the New York car show. However, this particular car didn't go into full production.

The Birth of Alpine

In 1955, Jean Rédélé officially created his car company, Alpine. The very first model they produced was called the A106 coach. The number "106" in its name was a nod to the powerful engine used in the 4CV's 1060 series.

Alpine cars quickly became known for their speed and agility. In 1971, Alpine won its first major European title in rally racing. Just two years later, in 1973, Alpine made history by becoming the first-ever world champion in rallying! They scored an impressive 155 points, beating strong competitors like Fiat (with 89 points) and Ford (with 76 points). This achievement cemented Alpine's place in racing history and showed the world Jean Rédélé's vision and skill.