1985 Audi 90

Familiar to U.S. fans as the Audi 4000, in the rest of the world Audi continued a naming tradition that dated back to the 1960s regarding engine output. Most of the models didn’t make it here, but prior to the 1980s there were Audi 50s, 60s, 80s and 100s. The original B1 80 was also called the Fox here, not to be confused with the later Volkswagen Fox model. When Audi switched to the B2 chassis, the U.S. nomenclature changed to the 4000 most remember. And there were several engine configurations available initially, including a diesel, turbo diesel, inline-4 and inline-5 motor in both 2 and 4 door configuration, along with the stablemate Coupe GT model though the designations no longer aligned with engine power. By the time Audi progressed to 1984 and the introduction of the 80/4000 quattro, though, engine choices dwindled. In the Coupe GT, you could only get the 5-cylinder motor – effectively the same motor that was available in the quattro but with a slightly different exhaust manifold that netted 5 more horsepower in the sedan. Otherwise, if you bought a 4000 front drive model, you got a 1.8 inline-4 that was shared with the Volkswagen model range. This continued with the refreshed models in 1985, with the only further engine change being the later 1987.5 Coupe GTs switching to the NG 2.3 130 horsepower motor.

However, in Europe there were still many configurations you could get the B2 in. There were two model levels; 80 and 90, with the later being the more upscale version with more powerful motors. This would be seen in the U.S. later with the B3 run, but in Europe there were pretty substantial differences visually and mechanically between the 80 and 90. The 90 was, for all intents and purposes, a Coupe GT under the skin. In 4-door guise, it retained the larger 10.1″ vented front brakes mated to 4×108 wheels instead of 4×100. Outside the aerodynamic bumper covers only made their way onto 90 models, while 80s carried bumper covers that looked very similar to the pre-85 models. The engine was the same 2.2 inline-5 that would be found in the quattro models, with European variants producing a few more horsepower than U.S. markets. As with the Coupe GT, these were expensive models that were more heavily taxed than the smaller motored 80s, and consequently they’re not seen as often. But a seller contacted us with a pretty stunning example that’s worth taking a look at.

Email Seller: 1985 Audi 90 on German Cars For Sale Blog

Year: 1985
Model: 90
Engine: 2.2 liter inline-5
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 75,000 mi
Price: $16,500

Here is my 1985 Audi 90 Typ 85 which was bought brand new back in 1985 by my grandfather at our local V.A.G. dealer in Germany.

He cared for it all its life and he drove it until the very last day of his life. I basically grew up with this car and the Audi brand. He originally bought the car, registered to his architecture firm back in September of 1985 and in the summer of 1986, he transferred the title to his personal name.

The car comes in beautiful Alpine White over dark blue velour interior, features the traditional 5 speed manual, is still a true 1 owner vehicle and has only 75.000 miles (125.000 km) from new. The complete board map with all books, owner manuals, orig. service records throughout from 1985-2015, 2 keys, absolutely no rust whatsoever as he never drove in during the winter. The Audi has never seen 1 single winter or salty streets.

The car is my very personal one and I am sure a real and true Audi lover and enthusiast will care for it, the same way as we did and still do. Its directly available through me and I can ship this car anywhere someone will like. The Audi can be easily imported to the US as I have a customs agent who verified everything already as its over 25 years of age.

My asking price is $16.500 plus $1.500 shipping to any port in the states.

1985 was the last year of the B2 sedan model in Europe, as the new B3 would launch 2 years before it came to U.S. shores. It actually gets a bit confusing; the B2 Coupe GT and quattro would continue on until 1988 production, and the original Quattro until 1991, but they ran alongside the replacement B3 models. The sedan, however, was phased out, making this the last of the B2 90s sold. It is an interesting one, too, as most of the 90s were more upscale. However, inside this Alpine White example we see a very lightly optioned car; no air conditioning, no cruise control, no power mirrors, no radio, no sunroof – not even the typical 3-gauge lower readout. Really careful eyes will even note that the car has one of the standard all-rubber steering wheels rather than the leather-wrapped units that found their way into quattros and Coupe GTs in the U.S.. In terms of these 90s, this was about as light as you could make one but with the larger motor it should be quite entertaining to drive. Although visually nearly indistinguishable from U.S. 4000s to most, there are actually several details that will have U.S. B2 fans collective mouths watering; most notably, the front bumper and supporting structure look no different, but careful eyes will note that blinkers have moved outboard to where U.S. blanks are, and where the reflectors were are integrated fog lights – what appears to be the only option this car had along with power windows. The 90s also got the popular H1/H4 headlights while the 80 model had single H4 bulb lights that visually match the U.S. bound units. The Marine Blue Kensington Velour is wrapped not around sport seats like the GTs got, but instead the standard 80/90 seats but the condition throughout is absolute top notch.

Without question, this is a neat car, and the history is quite personal. For most, this car wouldn’t make any sense and most will view it as quite overpriced. I’d have to say, though, if I had the same story of ownership and familial connection to such a vehicle I’m not sure I’d do much different. For someone who wants a uniquely configured car that is exceedingly rare to find at all, nevermind in show-ready condition, this certainly is a special car.

-Carter