Having made a stunning rally debut in October 1980 by running their as-yet unhomologated Quattro as a "course car" in the Algarve Rally, when Hannu Mikkola set fastest time on 24 out of 30 stages, Audi quickly came to dominate the rallying scene with their four-wheel driven flyer. And when the rally classes were changed in 1983, Audi appeared to handle the change from Group 4 to Group B adroitly, though of course things were more complicated than they appeared on the surface. While their four-wheel drive made a new restriction on the maximum width of wheels less onerous than on two wheel driven cars, the 2,144 cc swept volume of their turbocharged five-cylinder engines put the Quattros into the 3-liter class by just 1 cc when multiplied by the turbo factor of 1.4.
This put the Quattros at a disadvantage compared with their lighter two-wheel drive Lancia rivals, so it was a remarkable achievement when Audi works driver Hannu Mikkola succeeded in winning his first World Driver's Championship title that year.
This well-restored Group B Quattro is one of the works cars which helped him achieve that well-deserved success after so many years in rallying. According to the bodyshell number punched into the bulkhead, this is a genuine works car with factory chassis and has the body 1 late in the correct position.
When Audi Sport sold the car, it went to Finland and had a second career competing in Scandinavian rallies. It was then restored in Finland and acquired by its current owner in 1990, when it went on display in a museum, from which a number are offered in this sale. The seller represented that the engine has had a recent top end overhaul but would benefit from some further attention to the bottom end before being used in anger again. An evocative survivor of the dramatic Group B era in rallying, this car has the added distinction of having been driven by one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport in his championship year.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1983 Audi Quattro A2 Works |
Offered at the Brooks 21 February 1994 auction and sold at $50,301.
While Audi was being pummeled by Nader Nazis in the US, with sales going into the toilet and never truly recovering, Audi/Europe continue to make a great name for itself in prestigious rallies.
This Quattro, while having appeal in the US only to rally fanatics such as Satch Carlson who would probably offer to trade his house, boat and loved one for this Audi, brought such a strong price due to its provenance and the fervor with which Europeans follow their rally circuit. – ED.