History 1960s

1968 Alpine Rally (Coupe des Alpes)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1968 Alpine Rally (Coupe des Alpes)

Date: July 1968

Start/Finish Location: Marseille, France

Total Distance: Approximately 2,600 kilometers

Participating Teams: Over 100 crews

The 1968 Alpine Rally—officially the Coupe des Alpes—was a prestigious round of the European Rally Championship. Revered for its twisting Alpine passes, sudden weather shifts, and strict time controls, it served as a comprehensive test of car control, stamina, and co-driver precision. With routes winding through both French and Italian mountains, the rally prioritized finesse and navigation over raw speed, making it a favorite among elite tarmac rally crews.

Route

Col du Galibier: Narrow, high-altitude pass with reduced engine performance and extreme braking demands.
Col de Turini: Famous for its sinuous layout and exposure, especially hazardous in night or fog conditions.
Col de la Bonette and Italian segments: Mixed tarmac and gravel with both steep climbs and open-speed descents.

The rally ran through some of Europe’s most iconic and perilous mountain roads. Despite being conducted in the summer, weather was highly unpredictable—bringing heavy fog, sudden rain, and slippery descents with little warning.

Mechanical attrition, altitude fatigue, and constantly varying road grip made the Alpine Rally a true test of endurance and concentration.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
—
2nd Place
Ove Andersson / Jim Porter – Renault 8 Gordini
3rd Place
Hannu Mikkola / Gunnar Palm – Ford Escort Twin Cam

Jean Vinatier delivered a clean and confident drive through every control, while Andersson and Mikkola followed with aggressive yet disciplined efforts. Vinatier's win further solidified Alpine-Renault’s mastery of mountain rallies during the late 1960s.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Weather Volatility: Conditions could shift dramatically within a single stage—clear skies turned to fog or hail with no warning.
  • Time Penalties: Strict controls with no service leniency meant even minor delays could cost podium contention.
  • Mountain Fatigue: High elevations took a toll on both drivers and machinery, increasing the likelihood of errors late in stages.

The 1968 Alpine Rally was a precision sportscar ballet across the Alps—rewarding those who drove smart, stayed cool, and respected every twist of the road.

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