SPARK SF353 Renault 5 Alpine n°35 Joël Gouhier Production 1600 1980 %

Reference: Spark SF353 — Manufacturer: Spark Model (1:43 scale, resin model, Spark France national series)

This detailed scale model replicates the spirited Group 2 Renault 5 Alpine #35 campaigned in the fiercely contested French Touring Car Championship (Championnat de France de Production) during the 1980 season, competing in the Production 1600 class. Built specifically for wheel-to-wheel saloon car warfare, this front-wheel-drive pocket rocket was powered by the punchy 1,397cc four-cylinder engine featuring an aluminum hemispherical cylinder head, fed by twin twin-choke Weber carburetors and paired with a close-ratio 5-speed transmission. Finished in an authentic period competition livery with official race numbers and period sponsorship, the car was driven by skilled French racer Joël Gouhier, a renowned ace of Renault one-make cups and national touring car championships.

Tackling demanding French circuits such as Linas-Montlhéry, Dijon-Prenois, Croix-en-Ternois, and Nogaro, the agile French hatchback showcased remarkable mid-corner balance, razor-sharp front-end bite, and blistering traction out of tight bends. Behind the wheel of the #35 contender, Gouhier delivered aggressive, inch-perfect performances, consistently battling at the sharp end of the under-1600cc division in spectacular, bumper-to-bumper touring car scraps. Produced as part of Spark's dedicated French national series, this miniature boasts collector-grade accuracy, capturing the deep-dish competition wheels, custom front bumper with integrated cooling ducts, stripped-out racing cockpit with full roll cage, and low-slung racing stance.