If you’re a TT Mk1 fan or collector of obscure Audi special editions, you may want to take note of this rather unassuming 2000 TT we stumbled across on the Audi TT Marketplace US Group over on Facebook. It’s a rare Neiman Marcus Edition with just 15,500 miles… but that’s not all.
At the very start of the Audi TT’s first arrival in the United States, Audi of America paired up with premium catalogue house Neiman Marcus to offer a limited run of the first few America-bound cars. 100 TT Neiman Marcus cars were built, all to the same spec including Nimbus Grey paint, Nappa red leather (without baseball glove stitching) and polished finish on the standard TT alloy wheel. All cars were front-wheel drive because quattro hadn’t launched yet. Finally, given the earliness of the production, these cars were fitted from the factory with the initial and more aggressive suspension settings, along with no rear deck lid spoiler in keeping with the original concept car’s form.
In those early days, a the more technical handling tuning of the earliest roadgoing TTs and the high-visibility of a few lesser drivers losing control, Audi quickly moved to change production on the car to dial back in a bit more understeer and provide downforce with a fixed spoiler on the rear. Almost all cars already on the road, including most of the Neiman Marcus run, were retrofitted with the new settings.
Amongst connoisseurs of TT Mk1 examples, early cars that didn’t get the retrofitting tend to command a premium for their originality and original handling qualities. This car is just such a car, and when paired with low mileage it makes the car particularly appealing.
The owner shares more on Facebook. We’ll quote it here:
Original owner 2000 Neiman Marcus Audi TT #92/100. Only 15,500 miles since new.
Probably one of the most original, lowest mileage NM TTs left. This one had the Audi yaw control upgrade done in Houston after delivery and never had the suspension downgrade or spoiler added (still a true Mk 1 car).
Has been on static display since 2005, an Audi specialist just performed a complete re-commissioning — over $5k in the following:
- Timing belt replacement (due to age)
- Brake fluid flush
- Coolant Flush
- New Battery
- Fuel system service
- Upper strut mounts
- Oil service
- AC Service
- Purge Valve
It is now 100% except for tires which have less than 500 miles but should be replaced due to age.
#92 of the 1st 100 TTs into the US – Nimbus Gray with Nappa Red leather….closest iteration to the original J Mays concept car.
Our Take:
Without having seen the car in person to judge it first hand, we’ll speak to the price ($25,000 US) and the significance of the car. While selling for a considerable premium over other TT Neiman Marcus examples, the car seems fairly priced. It’s in the neighborhood, low to mid-20s, as a well-preserved low mileage example of a later 3.2 VR6 car that tends to command higher pricing. That’s in range in our opinion, and frankly you just don’t find much of any TTs with mileage this low, much less unmodified and original. This car has all that in spades. Yes, it may lack quattro all-wheel-drive, but its rarity and originality should make up for that.
If you’re looking for an older daily driver TT, this car probably isn’t on your shopping list… nor should it be. If you are a collector though, this Mk1 TT is highly compelling and you likely won’t find another this original or with similar mileage.
See more of this car HERE.
