For a car that sold in such limited numbers in the US, it’s impressive the impact the Audi Coupe Quattro had on the future of Audi and the automotive landscape in this country in general. This was the first car that took advantage of the revamped rules in World Rallying allowing four-wheel drive in competition vehicles. And to this day, WRC has never looked back. Rear-drive became a thing of the past. Today, many ordinary street vehicles these days offer all-wheel drive as an option, particularly on luxury vehicles. Whenever I go to the Mercedes-Benz dealer, it seems there are more 4-matic C class sedans on the lot than your standard rear-drive version. Such was the wide ranging impact of this car over time. It surely wasn’t the first passenger car to feature four-wheel drive, but it certainly was the one to popularize the idea.
This Coupe Quattro for sale in Saint Louis is a fantastic looking piece of Audi history and represents a neat collectors piece for WRC buffs.
Year: 1983
Model: Coupe Quatrro
Engine: 2.1 liter turbocharged inline five
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 109,470 mi
Price: $16,888 Buy It Now
1983 Audi Coupe Quattro on eBay
1983 Audi Quattro Coupe, finished in Gobi Metallic over Brown leather interior! This two-owner, Audi Quattro Coupe is simply stunning and is in full driving condition. This Audi was well owned and properly maintained throughout it’s life! Recent service work just performed! Service history and background available!
While this Ur Quattro is not exactly original to its core, I am a big fan of the BBS wheels. They aren’t too oversized as some wheels you see people slap on modern classics these days. Driver quality Quattros in good condition can be had for around $13,000 to $17,000 these days, with mint condition, lower mileage examples fetching around $20,000 and a little bit upwards of that. I am curious about the aftermarket gauges and exhaust, as it leads me to wonder whether there are other modifications lurking elsewhere. Still, with so few of these on the road, this one, based on cosmetics alone, looks like its worth a go.
-Paul
A quick pass through the Carfax report shows two issues that should be investigated. First, the vehicle is mileage exempt. Second, the car shows 109k miles now and showed 108k miles in August 2004. Although not impossible, it is hard to believe this car has only been driven 1200 miles in the last 8.5 years. If the mileage is correct, there are a lot potential problems that could come up if someone buys this car and tries to use it on a more regular basis. If the mileage is incorrect, one has to start wondering how many miles are actually on this semi-exotic, turbocharged engine and drivetrain.
I don’t mind the aftermarket bits shown (except the boost gauge installation… that’s terrrible), but I would be curious as to what else has been done. Putting this car back to stock condition won’t be all that easy either, as these parts were pretty rare to begin with and are even more so 30 years later.
If I was gonna own one of these, I’d have this one. Just an exquisite color combo with those BBS wheels.
I owned a 1985 Turbo Quattro Coupe (preferred nomenclature I believe, as it distinguishes from the early ’90s coupe). Fantastic when in boost – not so much when not. It was easy to get smoked off the line by a Colt Vista Cruiser if I was careless
. Not too troublesome of a car from a maintenance standpoint actually, but I was always wishing it had a broader power band. It did have a much more refined interior than the ’83 and ’84 models – those had harder plastics and diagonal leather (or some rather hideous cloth) that dated them a bit IMO.. I do have to say it was one of the best cars I’ve ever driven in ice and snow. Virtually unstoppable with both diffs locked. The ur-quattro was a hugely significant car in Audi’s history but with the low number of imports into the US, it’s difficult to find one in good condition, let alone unmolested. Interesting that it’s never really risen to the level of collectibility that other influential cars have for their respective marques..
By the way, I agree w KevinR re the boost gauge, ugh. The three console gauges are in the location where the diff control was located. I believe this was a pull knob that year, with first position locking ft to rear and second position locking rear side-to-side. I’ve seen that swap before but can’t remember where the control got relocated. The UK seemed to be a common source of parts as I recall. They were available until ’91 in Europe. Now that I think about it, mine did have low miles, so take that reliability comment with a huge chunk of salt.
Love this car becuase it is clearly built as a driver, from the silicon coolent hoses to the boost guage. The center consol guages are factory, just not original to this car. These cars are actaully very robust provided you keep your eye on all the vitals. Early quattro’s had horrific electrical systems however, the 85-91 models are much better, I would wager this one has been upgraded. I also supect the mechanical boost guage (driving one without it is not an option) installation was done so it could be easily removed to appear original at first glance if desired.