If you think that the early BMW 7 series – the E23 chassis – is a rare sight these days, they’re downright common compared to C2/Type 43 Audis. The first “5000”, in the rest of the world this was the Audi 100 and 200 in turbocharged form. The C2/Type 43 replaced the innovative but not particularly reliable or quick 100 and was a major step towards building the modern Audi. It introduced not only the familiar inline-5 to the large family sedan, but also turbocharging and even diesel motors to Audi’s lineup. However, the platform never saw the introduction of the quattro all-wheel drive platform – all of the Type 43s were front drive, and a fair amount were automatic. By 1983, the writing was on the wall – Audi had its new C3 platform full of more innovation and trumped aerodynamics – parked next to the C2, you could see the resemblance but the new car looked downright futuristic compared to the box on box design of the C2. Though the best part of a million of these sedans were produced, they’re one of the rarest Audis to see stateside these days – depreciation, rust and time have taken their toll. Properly cared for, though, they’re still a nice looking large sedan and a treat to see – especially in this condition:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1983 Audi 5000S on eBay
Year: 1983
Model: 5000S
Engine: 2.1 liter inline-5
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 33,100 mi
Price: No Reserve Auction
1983 Audi 5000S. Rare 5 speed Manual with “Upshift Light” indicates precisely the most propitious time to shift gears to achieve great fuel economy. Low 33,100 Miles. Power windows, Ice cold A/C, Cruise Control.
Excellent Condition. Runs, drives and shifts like factory new. Handles perfectly. Brand new OEM Boge shocks/struts. Brand new Battery. Interior like Brand New. No cracks on the dash. All interior lights working. Seats like new. Paint glossy and like factory new.
Very minor rust on rocker panel, passenger door, and front wheel wells. Minor dent on rear quarter panel under tail light corner. Car originally purchased from Chicago but was clearly garaged. Power door locks not working. Passenger side front power window not working.
Please call Brent at 408-821-8324, email or text if further questions or if you need more pictures. I have a ton of pictures. Just email me and I will send them to you or ask me for specific pictures.
The combination of the front drive and fairly anemic 2.1 inline-5 won’t excite thrill seekers, but because it’s got that 5-pot under the hood, basically any of the later motors will fit in there. It’s especially rare to find the 5-speed manual transmission. The seller’s commentary regarding the upshift light makes me laugh a bit; my 1986 Golf had the same feature and I remember it ticking me off to no end. The computer wanted you to upshift as soon as the tach broke 1,200 RPM! That meant you could never go faster than 30 m.p.h. (gear limited) and most snails left you in their wake. Condition on this car is one of the best I’ve seen, even taking into account the rust. If you want this car to last, you’ll need to address that quickly. The bolt pattern on the wheels is 4×108, meaning with some work you could fit the later brake upgrades if you were so inclined. Were it me and I wanted to be just that extra amount different, I’d find someone building an S2 clone and grab all of the suspension, brakes, wheels and engine from a Coupe Quattro and throw it in this package. The Speedline wheels would be a neat match for the boxy look of the car and you’d surprise many turbo owners with that high-revving 7A 20V engine. But it would be equally cool to have this remain a clean original example – one of the few left still rolling! Either way, this car isn’t likely to get very expensive – a cheap, fun project!
-Carter
This was my first car. It seemed embarrassingly old by the time I got it, since it was a 79. I believe it was so-called Indiana Rot. It had beige interior and 3-speed. Round headlamps. It was a great car. The kids at school drove either mini-trucks or junk or 60s muscle cars. All of them were impressed by my Audi’s ferocious looking Pirellis (I wish I could figure out now what they were — the sidewalls were basically covered in serrated scales that looked like rows of shark teeth coming in), the sunroof, the fogs. It had these wheels, which were seemingly painted gold at the factory. It was a very pleasant, not a gaudy, not a bright, gold. The car always worked fine. My dad had a private “mechanic” come to the house and work on it endlessly in the driveway. I killed the battery constantly by leaving radio or lights on in the morning when I got to school. Recently I left the radio on in my 89 80q — hah! O Audis! When my dad got it for me from a man in Reno, it was in remarkably good shape. Wonder how many miles it had. Not that kids check. The dash was cracked but he got me a nice cover for it. And it had a small amp on the driver’s knee shelf that I would engage on demand to the wonder of friends. I put a velcroed Sony Discman on top of the dash via one of those $5 cassette adapters … which I just got for the 80q. I would say that life is wasted on the young, but I really did love my car even then, even the quirks and the little embarrassment that it wasn’t a new, mid-80s, aerodynamic 5000tq that Bryce’s parents had. It was as glamorous and unobtainable as the BMW on Moonlighting. One day Bryce drove it to school, utterly dethroning me forever.
That’s a great story @Brad! I love when this blog sparks those kinds of memories. I spent a little time googling old Pirellis trying to find pictures of what you described to no avail, oh well!
I came upon this listing on eBay the other day and immediately thought – “this is so Carter.” Lol, glad he could write it up. It’s funny how this vehicle is a good reminder that Audi used to be *the* FWD German luxury marque, before “Quattro” was a household name. I’m sure they still sell a fair amount of FWD cars, overseas especially.
Definitely a great story, Brad – thanks! I neglected to mention that both Ry and our reader Brent sent this our way although we had spotted it too! Thanks to everyone for following!
By the way, in 79 the version of Indiana Rot was almost pumpkin colored, not like some other, redder, versions.