photos: Frank Cassidy
Over the years, Audi has designed dozens of models; some are utilitarian and some capture the soul and won’t let go. The Ur-quattro is the latter model. Debuting over 40 years ago, the Audi quattro is a timeless design and still brings excitement whenever someone spot one in the wild. This 1983 model has come up for auction and will be interesting to see what it will go for. Here’s the ad:
This 1983 Audi Quattro has been registered in California since at least 2000, and it was modified under previous ownership by Big Fish Motorsport in San Diego, California. The 2.1-liter inline-five was reportedly rebuilt with aftermarket pistons, a larger turbocharger, coil-on-plug electronic ignition, and an 034Motorsport electronic fuel injection system. The car was repainted before the seller’s acquisition in 2016 while the interior was refreshed under current ownership, and the car is also equipped with forged Fuchs 15″ alloy wheels, a removable sunroof panel, locking center and rear differentials, cruise control, and a factory cassette stereo. This Quattro is now offered with a clean Carfax report and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
The exterior was repainted metallic blue before the seller’s acquisition, and later-model badges were added. The removable sunroof panel can be stored in the trunk. The raised rear spoiler is mounted on a matte-black-finished trunk lid, and gradient ring graphics adorn the lower doors. The corners of the front bumper and right corner of the rear bumper are scuffed, there is a paint crack in the right rocker panel and paint chips around the car, and the areas of bubbling finish are shown in the gallery along with additional flaws.
Forged 15″ Fuchs alloy wheels are mounted with 205/55 Kumho Ecsta 4X II tires. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel disc brakes, and the car is equipped with four-wheel independent suspension as well as front and rear sway bars.
The seats were reupholstered under current ownership in tan leather with diagonal pleats, and the seller notes that the upholstery does not match the tone of the door panels. Cracks in the dashboard were covered with a vinyl wrap, though the imperfections remain visible, and the left power window does not work. A factory cassette stereo is present in the center stack. Wear is noted on the door handle trim, handbrake button, and gear knob.
The four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel sits ahead of a 155-mph speedometer, a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline, an inset analog clock, and gauges for boost pressure and fuel level. The six-digit odometer shows 56k miles, though total mileage is unknown, and an odometer reading of 212,068 miles was recorded on the Carfax report in October 2018.
The turbocharged and intercooled 2.1-liter inline-five was reportedly rebuilt and modified by Big Fish Motorsports in San Diego, California, with aftermarket pistons as well as a larger turbocharger and intercooler. Coil-on-plug electronic ignition and 034Motorsport electronic fuel injection have also been installed along with a conical air filter, AN fuel fittings, and a Moroso breather vent. The blue engine temperature light illuminates at startup to indicate the engine is not yet up to operating temperature, and the seller notes that the stand-alone engine management system has a base tune but could use further tuning. The oil was most recently changed in 2019.
Power is sent to all four wheels through a five-speed manual transaxle and a Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The center and rear differentials can be locked by the driver via a center stack-mounted panel.
The Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage and lists registration history in California from its initial entry in 2000 through its most recent entry in 2018.
The car is registered as Planned Non-operation in the state of California.
This Ur-quattro looks fantastic in blue and that interior is amazing both in condition and color. While not a perfect museum piece, it’s quite good. I prefer to have a driver as opposed to a garage queen. When we looked at the Ur-quattro to give away in last year’s Audi Club Sweepstakes, we had asked the question to fans on what they would rather have a pristine example or a driver and the answer was overwhelmingly driver. As of publishing, the current bid is $13,000 and there is one day left. If you would like to add this to your garage and be the envy of Audi admirers everywhere, you can find it at Bring A Trailer HERE.
