Description
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
24th of July, 2024 13:00
1989 Audi UR Quattro 2. 2 Turbo RR 20V
One of four UK press cars and subject to recent full overhaul
Estimate
£40, 000 - £45, 000
Registration No: G690 GNV
Chassis No: WAUZZZ85ZLA000083
MOT: April 2025
Recently subject to extensive cosmetic overhaul
One of a batch of four UK press cars with consecutive registration numbers
Recently the subject of much mechanical expenditure including a replacement, correct type, engine uprated to over 300bhp with MD147KKK Turbo
Sensibly uprated with front Brembo brake callipers
One of only 295 UK Right Hand Drive 20V Models produced
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. Three years later the finished product was released. Although the floorpan had much in common with the 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 210lb ft power outputs delivered by the 2. 1-litre in-line five cylinder turbocharged engine. By the time this particular car arrived in 1989, the crude cable-operated 50:50 split differential had been replaced with a much more advanced Torsen (torque sensing) diff and the engine had been uprated with double overhead camshafts and a larger 2, 226cc capacity, upping power to 217bhp. Regarded by many as the best of the Quattros, the 20 Valve now represents a great potential investment opportunity, with this example offered in arguably the best and most iconic colour combination of Tornado red over grey.
One of a batch of four consecutively registered Audi Quattro 20V press cars, 'G690 GNV' was first registered with its sister cars on the 17th October 1989 and was featured in a comparison with a Lancia Delta Integrale in a late 80's motoring magazine. Little is known of the car's history after its life in the glossy pages and it was sold into private ownership, however the first recorded owner was a Mr Tansley of Derby who was the 5th owner from 12th October 1993. Having been through another owner after Mr Tansley, the Quattro was purchased by the vendor in 2017 starting to look rather sorry for itself and repainted from its original Tornado Red and now presented in Black. The vendor also found that the original RR 20V engine had long since departed as the original had thrown a conrod some time ago and another unit was fitted in the car. Having owned a number of Audi Quattros in his life, this simply wouldn't do for the vendor so he embarked upon a full cosmetic and mechanical overhaul over the next five years.
Quattros are notoriously difficult to get parts for, and a cracked windscreen and rear light unit were only sourced by buying a pair of donor Audi Coupés to pillage parts from, and then another RR 20V Quattro to pull the engine from. This painstaking (and expensive!) process meant that 'G690 GNV' was finally reunited with the proper type of power unit and was returned to its original, and very iconic, Tornado Red colour scheme. As with many Quattro owners, the vendor decided to uprate the car with some more modern enhancements at this time and fitted an uprated Turbo Dynamics MD147KKK Turbo, 3 nozzle injectors and Scorpion Exhaust which means the car is estimated to generate around 300bhp. Of course, to put all that power onto the road the car was fitted with a new clutch and the car's brakes were also uprated, with the fitment of Brembo callipers on the front aiding stopping confidence quite considerably.
Upon inspection, the dazzling Tornado Red paint still looks very fresh and such details as the bolts for the wings were evidently removed and replaced which gives the impression that alot of care was taken to get this car right. The vendor describes the body condition as 'very good' and pointed out that both front wings were replaced during the overhaul due to the original items being rather far past their sell by date. A turn of the key and instantly recognisable sound of the potent five cylinder power unit was ejected through the uprated exhausts and when driving us to the photography shoot location, the vendor described the mechanical condition as 'very good'. We are also pleased to say that the original interior trim is intact and it is described as 'good' by the vendor.
Quattros are in high demand today and with good reason - with 23 world rally championship wins under their belt and having near enough defined what a true 80s and 90s drivers' car should be, values continue to rise. If you are looking for a good example that can be used for the show circuit this summer, then one of the press cars should do you nicely!
