Find of the Day: 1983 Audi Mars Red Ur-quattro

words: Bill, photos: Hemmings.com

With the RADwood and Youngtimer movements, cars from my youth are climbing higher and higher in price. The silver lining though is that examples of these cars are popping up everywhere and in fantastic condition but…the price reflects this. Here’s a fantastic example of an Audi Quattro for the low price of $85,000. Ok, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s look at this time capsule. Here’s the (very long) ad:

 Sacramento, California, 95815
 WAUDC0850DA900421
 55,000
 Manual
 Excellent
 Mars Red
 Chocolate Brown

US Model, VIN# WAUDC0850DA900421 1983 Audi UR Quattro Turbo Coupe finished in Mars Red with Brown leather interior. This two owner car has travelled 55k miles from new. This is a very rare coupe in a beautiful and classic color combination.

History
This UR coupe was delivered to its original owner in Westport CT (registered as First Connecticut Financial Corp.) on November 22nd 1982 by Trainer Motors, a Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen dealership located in Fairfield CT. According to the original stamped service manual and CARFAX, the original owner sold the car to an Audi technician in New Jersey on October 30, 1992 with 52,849 miles, almost 10 years since it was originally purchased. The second owner retained the car from 1992 until 2015 when we obtained it, adding less than 3k miles in 23 years. The 2nd owner serviced the car at Jorge and Jack Enterprises in Clifton New Jersey on February 20th, 1991 per the service booklet stamp. He also added OEM Euro spec. headlights and front bumper cover to the car.

Exterior
The exterior is 100% stock, the body is corrosion and rust free. The champagne Ronal wheels are in excellent condition and have newer BFGoodrich’s on them. All exterior lighting, signals, brakes are operational. The car is optioned with a manual sunroof. All the factory rubber and plastic is in excellent condition. The car has all of its factory glass intact as well. The car is completely ding free and nearly perfect cosmetically. The cars paint and exterior look new, in person, the car presents as a nearly new car. The level of cleanliness of the car reflects meticulous ownership.

Interior
The Interior of the car is exceptionally clean, it is like a time capsule. It appears that the backs and rear facing seat were never used. The leather and carpet is in excellent shape and shows very little wear. All interior switches, lights and buttons are operational, the A/C blows ice cold. The dash is crack free and all plastic bits are as new. All lighting and controls are operational. The original manual is included, as are the original stamped service pouch. Their is no head unit in the car, but their is an owners manual for the factory unit, a Bose 1401 system. The OEM spare wheel/tire, jack and tool kit kit are all intact and in excellent unused condition.

Mechanical & Engine bay
The engine bay and underneath the car are very tidy without having been detailed. The car has a feel of one that has always been inside and maintained well. When we purchased the car, we made note of anything that wasn’t working properly and took the car to Capitol City European, a marque specialist. They diagnosed and remedied any and all issues including a water heater hose replacement for a cooling system leak.

Summary
The car presented here is we believe the nicest UR Quattro on the market. An extremely clean and honest car with low miles and great curb appeal. With only 664 of these special cars imported to the United States, these cars will continue to grow in desirability and value. Includes, stamped service booklet, manuals, records, key, service manuals, articles etc…

Significance
“Quite simply, one of the most delightful vehicles we’ve ever evaluated…[it is] destined to serve as a rolling testbed for a number of Audi’s future production designs.” – Bob Nagy, MotorTrend – Jun 1982

Produced by Audi’s specialty tuning division Quattro GmbH.
Introduced at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show
[road going version of the hugely successful Audi WRC rally car]

Technology
Compact differential
Fit in a passenger road car
No compromise necessary to lift ride height
Distributed power to the front and rear through a set of dog clutches
Manual locking system
Homologation
UrQuattro –
Produced to meet Homologation requirement – 400 vehicles
Range Development
Genesis of the Audi 4 wheel drive technology
Racing
New FIA Homolgation rules – WRC – Allowed for four-wheel drive
Audi introduced Audi Coupe to competition
Audi was the first WRC team to combine a turbo and a full-time all wheel drive system in the World Rally Championship [Car shaped the sport we see today]
Deputed in WRC in 1981 —
1st full year of competition in WRC (1982) – Won the Championship
Rally race car had a marginally smaller 2,133 cc engine than the production model (To Meet FIA rules)
UrQuattro made an indelible mark on motorsport history.
Performed to multiple WRC Championships and
1984 – Drivers and Constructors World Championship
Audi made its point – All-wheel drive enhanced performance over all road conditions
Why Own
Rare – Only 664 imported for US sale – few pristine examples left on the road
Powertrains are durable
Styling muscular and well executed
Very difficult to find a low mileage, perfect example in excellent condition
One of the most significant cars produced in post-war era

Statistics
Number Produced
Produced from 1980 – 1991
First introduced in Europe in Spring of 1980. (March 1980)
American market first received car in 1982
Total = 11,452 vehicles
US Market = 664 vehicles
Canadian Market = 99 vehicles
Production was targeted to meet the homologation requirement
Consumer demand assured production would far exceed this number.
Design
Exterior
Distinctive
Box wheel flares – muscular car
Boot spoiler
Tight angled A-pilar
Over 11 year production life, no significant changes.
1985 – new grille, new headlights, new badging
US Market
Larger bumper

Interior
Awesome differential lock pull
Back seats comfortable provide ample leg room for two adults
A true 2 + 2
Changes — 1984 Production – redesign
New dash
New Steering wheel
Other
UrQuattro division
Largely built these cars from scratch
Result: strong, and robust – This unmolested model – reflects that quality production.
Technical Statistics:
Engine:
The “WX” engine – a “WX Quattro” – US Market
2.1 litre inline 5 cylinder – longitudinally mounted
(2,144 cc)
10 valve (two per cylinder) – Single Overhead Cam
Electronic fuel injection
Horsepower:
160 hp. @5500
Torque:
170 lb per feet @3000 rpm
Transmission:
5 speed (No auto box was ever offered)
Drivetrain:
Permanent all-wheel drive system
Steering:
Rack and pinion
Suspension:
Independent front and rear
Front and rear MacPherson Struts, coil springs
Front and rear anti-roll bar
Brakes:
4 wheel discs
Wheels:
7” x 15”
Ronal wheels
Tires
205/60
Weight:
Curb Weight = 2,844 lb.
2,838 lb. ? Manufacture claimed
Performance:
0 – 60 = 7.6 seconds
Top Speed = 128 mph
Fuel Consumption:
21 mpg

Price: $85,000

As you can see from the pictures, this is a pretty clean Quattro and with only 55,000 miles, the price is..well…justified or not. I’ll let you decide.

You can find the ad HERE