A classic Audi Quattro – a model made famous by the TV show Ashes to Ashes – has sold for a whopping £77,000.
The 143mph, 35-year-old motor has done over 97,000 miles.
The Quattros were produced from 1980 to 1991.
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They were renowned for their success in rally competitions, the BBC show, and character Gene Hunt’s phrase, “Fire up the Quattro’.
However, this particular one—not connected to the programme—was one of just 295 right-hand drive UK cars.
The car’s listing stated: “The Audi Quattro may not have been the first four-wheel drive production car, that honour belongs to the 1966 Jensen Interceptor FF, but its place in history is assured.
“Thanks in no small part to its enormous rallying success, the Quattro popularised all-wheel drive and is now regarded as one of the most influential and important sports cars of the 1980s.
The brainchild of Jörg Bensinger, an Audi chassis engineer, development work was started in 1977 and three years later, the finished product was released.
“Although the floor pan had much in common with the Audi 80 and the running gear was largely taken from an Audi 200, the Quattro used a manual centre differential lock.
“Operated by levers next to the handbrake, to govern the 197bhp and 210 lb/ft power outputs delivered by the 2.1-litre in-line five-cylinder turbocharged engine.
“Presented in its original factory colour of Nautic Blue, this desirable Quattro 20V was first registered in the UK on 7 March 1990.
“It’s on offer from four years of current ownership, most of which have been spent in a trim-out, glass-out, rotisserie, bare metal restoration.
“The bodyshell was fully stripped, the underside refinished in the correct Raptor Bed and fully sealed before being built up with new heat shields, diffs/driveshafts, new gaiters, seals, poly-bushed, suspension struts, powder-coated subframes, new discs, pads, brake and fuel lines and more.
“The engine is original and was fully stripped and all parts vapour-blasted before being re-bored and rebuilt with 0.5mm oversize pistons.
“The radiator was re-cored and numerous engine ancillaries were restored or replaced. Prior to reassembly, the bodyshell was prepared and painted in its original Nautic Blue and we understand that this alone cost over £18,000.
“New bespoke tyres were sourced from Longstone Tyres for £1,000 and the wheels were refurbished and finished in the correct factory colour.
“The interior benefited from new carpets from Coverdale, a NOS rear parcel shelf and a brand new OE period-look Blaupunkt head unit was fitted.
“We understand that many thousands have been invested in returning this rare 20-Valve Quattro to top form and as can be seen in our images, the results are very impressive.
“The car is supplied with a history file containing the V5C, old MOT Certificates, the service book with 15 stamps up until 2007, the original leather owners handbook and some restoration invoices.”
It was sold by Iconic Auctioneers, based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, as reported by Luxury Auto News.
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