LONDON.- H&H Classics are delighted to announce that the 1984 Audi Quattro once owned by Nigel Mansel will form part of the IWM Duxford sale on April 20th. It is estimated to sell for £30,000 - £40,000.
Starting readily upon inspection and looking every inch the 1980s icon that it is, this very nicely restored Quattro is offered for sale with a copy of the Isle of Man registration document in Nigel Mansell’s name, an Isle of Man tax disc (also in Mr Mansell’s name), V5C Registration Document, MOT certificate valid until November 2016 and a copy of Audi Driver magazine (January 2016 issue) for which it graced the front cover.
Among the defining performance cars of the 1980s, the first generation (or ‘ur’) Audi Quattro boasted supercar-humbling pace thanks to its superb four-wheel drive system, rally-bred suspension and punchy turbocharged engine.
Damian Jones, Sales Manager of H&H Classics comments: “It was not only Rally and F1 drivers who appreciated the car’s capabilities. The Audi’s turn of speed and sure-footed handling made it a popular choice with members of the underworld in period (hence the reason no doubt that DCI Gene Hunt was allocated one for the hit TV series ‘Ashes to Ashes’).”
Keeping up with this particular example would have been a challenge beyond that of most wheelmen given that it was road registered to Nigel Mansell on 13th June 1984. Driving for Team Lotus and resident on the Isle of Man at the time, the future Formula One and Indycar World Series Champion appears to have sold the Coupe following his move to Williams Grand Prix. Interestingly, Mansell’s new race number at the Grove-based equipe – the iconic Red Number ‘5’ – matched the colour and cylinder count of the Audi.
Understood to have had just four former keepers since being UK road registered as ‘1 DWP’ on 4th February 1985, its current number plate ‘A154 DWP’ was assigned on 17th June 1993.
Treated to an extensive, almost ‘bare shell’ restoration since entering the current ownership in November 2011, the Quattro’s rejuvenation was a labour of love for the vendor. Thoroughly overhauled, its original 2144cc five-cylinder powerplant benefited from a reground crankshaft, Dialynx exhaust manifold, re-cored radiator, fresh clutch / flywheel, refurbished intercooler, Milltek Sport stainless steel exhaust system and various new internals. The suspension and running gear were rejuvenated too with replacement bearings, bushings and ball joints as deemed necessary. In all the vendor estimates that he spent some £15,000 on parts alone from the likes of Deutscheparts, Quattro Corner and TPS.
The original interior fabric had worn surprisingly well. Carefully cleaned, it belies the 116,000 miles shown on the car’s odometer. Entrusted to a specialist, the digital dashboard was returned to full working order. Aside from the minor engine modifications, the Audi gained a later (but still ur-type) 20v steering wheel and rides on 8 x 15J R8 Ronal rims. Some 4,000 miles after the project was completed, ‘A154 DWP’ remains highly presentable.
