French registration papers

- Superbly presented
- Strictly to original specification
- Historic model from the marque

Until quite recently, and with only a few notable exceptions, including a handful of Formula 1 cars, four-wheel drive was reserved for agricultural or construction machinery. It was whilst preparing a lecture comparing front- and rear-wheel drive technology that Jörg Bensinger, an engineer at Audi, came up with the idea of bringing this practice up to date and applying it to passenger cars. The project got under way in March 1977 when Audi’s engineers equipped an Audi 80 with a 4WD transmission sourced from Volkswagen and developed for off-road use by the German army. During the course of the year, a five-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 200 bhp was installed in it. After many miles of testing on the most difficult roads on the planet, the Audi Quattro Coupé was officially introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1980.
Its commercial launch coincided with its debut in the World Rally Championship in 1981, and during its first season the gifted future star won both the Swedish and San Remo Rallies … In its second year, Audi won the World Rally Championship, opening the way to a highly successful period with its legendary Group B cars.
Produced to the tune of more than 5000 cars, the Audi Coupé Quattro is not a rare model, but it is nonetheless difficult to find cars with low mileage and in strictly original condition.

The car which we are offering for sale is the exception which proves the rule. For 23 years, this Audi Coupé Quattro lay dormant in its underground lock-up in the Paris area. First registered in November 1982, this ‘sleeping beauty’ has just 64,599 km (40,140 miles) recorded and still bears its original registration number, 537 EXW 75, issued by the Fair Play Volkswagen garage in the 17th arrondissement of the capital. When we discovered the ‘sleeping beauty’ behind its iron curtain, all the tyres were obviously flat and the body was covered in a thick layer of dust. The owner had taken the trouble to leave the windows cracked open to let some air circulate inside the car. We were amused to find on the passenger seat the front page of the daily newspaper Libération from Thursday 9 March 1995, as well as the 1991 Michelin Guide, in which the owner had made a small selection of newly-starred restaurants …
After pumping up the tyres, we pushed the Audi out of its garage and were able to get a better idea of this very sound car, in good general condition and strictly to original specification. The bodywork has no scratches or knocks and the velour upholstery has been very well preserved. After being laid up for 23 years, the Quattro Coupé will need careful recommissioning. It is nonetheless reassuring to see the care which the owner took of his car, as evidenced by the two sets of keys and substantial file of invoices from the Volkswagen-Audi dealer network.
A restored example of this model sells today for around 45,000 €, making our estimate for this Audi entirely consistent and reasonable. After a full service, this Quattro Coupé will once again deliver the pleasures of a sporty drive thanks to his 200hp 5 cylinder turbo engine, and with the promise of the legendary roadholding ensured by its all-wheel drive system.