History 1970s

1973 Acropolis Rally (Greece)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 21st Acropolis Rally

Date: May 23–27, 1973

Host Country: Greece

Surface: Gravel / Asphalt

Total Distance: 556.3 km (competitive)

Total Starters: 87 crews

Total Finishers: 23 crews

The 1973 Acropolis Rally lived up to its reputation as one of the roughest events in the World Rally Championship. With bone-jarring gravel, scorching heat, and treacherous mountain passes, the Greek classic took a heavy toll on both machines and drivers. Jean-Luc Thérier’s resilience and precision behind the wheel, alongside Christian Delferrier’s steady co-driving, led Alpine-Renault to another commanding victory in this iconic endurance test.

Route

Mountain Trails: Endless rocky climbs and tight switchbacks punished tires and suspension components alike.
Dusty Plains: High-speed gravel stages across dry farmland, where dust clouds obliterated visibility for following cars.
Urban Transfers: Short stretches of tarmac between stages tested adaptability but provided little relief.

The rally wound through the rugged Greek countryside, from Athens to Delphi and deep into the Peloponnese, over loose gravel and brief paved segments.

Blistering daytime heat and long, rough stages forced even the best-prepared teams to carefully manage pace and equipment throughout the rally.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jean-Luc Thérier & Christian Delferrier · Alpine-Renault A110 1800
2nd Place
Ove Andersson & Arne Hertz · Alpine-Renault A110 1800
3rd Place
Rauno Aaltonen & Jean Todt · Fiat 124 Abarth Rally

Thérier’s calculated drive gave Alpine a 1–2 finish in Greece, solidifying the marque’s grip on the 1973 WRC season and proving the A110’s durability beyond Alpine tarmac.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Loose Rocks: Constant threat to tires, oil pans, and suspension links—especially on descents.
  • Extreme Heat: Engine temperatures soared under the Mediterranean sun, testing cooling systems and driver focus.
  • Stage Length: Marathon stages required a delicate balance between pace and preservation to avoid mechanical failure or driver burnout.

The 1973 Acropolis Rally was a war of attrition—and Thérier’s victory proved that Alpine’s finesse and strategy could overcome even the world’s toughest rally terrain.

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