A tortured tale of quattro restoration,
Discussion
Great job 4v6, loved the bit where you show us how to make the wheel arch repair you made it look real easy which I'm sure it's not and using no special tools.
I know the feeling of "didn't expect it to cost this much" but remember you will have a well sorted car when it's finished and you know what's underneath that new paintwork. A Quattro is a nice modern car for a project and I'm sure they have got to be getting rare now especially for good ones.
BTW if you pay photobucket a couple of quid you will get your photos back on with unlimited viewings as there is a limit on the amount of viewings per month.
I know the feeling of "didn't expect it to cost this much" but remember you will have a well sorted car when it's finished and you know what's underneath that new paintwork. A Quattro is a nice modern car for a project and I'm sure they have got to be getting rare now especially for good ones.
BTW if you pay photobucket a couple of quid you will get your photos back on with unlimited viewings as there is a limit on the amount of viewings per month.
they worked yesterday, but today I get a message about bandwidth exceeded on the photo account.
That looks like it will be great when finished.
It was the horrible thought of that amount of work and that much hidden nastiness that made me sell mine. In some ways I feel I almost gave it away but then when you look at what's involved and realise that there's no such thing as a simple Quattro restoration I begin to almost feel quite relieved.
It's interesting seeing the rear end repair. Mine had had a shunt at some point - I thought little of it until somebody pointed out the crease in the boot floor and then when it was also pointed out that the rear window didn't have 'quattro' on it that I realised it could be quite serious.
It was the horrible thought of that amount of work and that much hidden nastiness that made me sell mine. In some ways I feel I almost gave it away but then when you look at what's involved and realise that there's no such thing as a simple Quattro restoration I begin to almost feel quite relieved.
It's interesting seeing the rear end repair. Mine had had a shunt at some point - I thought little of it until somebody pointed out the crease in the boot floor and then when it was also pointed out that the rear window didn't have 'quattro' on it that I realised it could be quite serious.
Fascinating read and it's going to be great to see an old hero live again. I'm amazed at the skills and resources some people have. Good luck!
Question though, shouldn't an '83 A reg have a digital dash? Also, as it's got LHD wipers I assume it's been converted to RHD early in it's life?
ETA: Thinking about it, was it not an original pre '83 four headlamp leftie in the first place? Converted to RHD, with twin headlamps and dark rear lights, and UK registered in '83 after a few years?
Question though, shouldn't an '83 A reg have a digital dash? Also, as it's got LHD wipers I assume it's been converted to RHD early in it's life?
ETA: Thinking about it, was it not an original pre '83 four headlamp leftie in the first place? Converted to RHD, with twin headlamps and dark rear lights, and UK registered in '83 after a few years?
Edited by Dapster on Sunday 26th January 23:17
Dapster said:
Fascinating read and it's going to be great to see an old hero live again. I'm amazed at the skills and resources some people have. Good luck!
Question though, shouldn't an '83 A reg have a digital dash? Also, as it's got LHD wipers I assume it's been converted to RHD early in it's life?
ETA: Thinking about it, was it not an original pre '83 four headlamp leftie in the first place? Converted to RHD, with twin headlamps and dark rear lights, and UK registered in '83 after a few years?
Hi Dapster,I think mine predates the digital dash, not by a lot but I prefer the analogue steup anyway, less to go wrong and no voices telling you to "Put ze damned zeabeltz on!".Question though, shouldn't an '83 A reg have a digital dash? Also, as it's got LHD wipers I assume it's been converted to RHD early in it's life?
ETA: Thinking about it, was it not an original pre '83 four headlamp leftie in the first place? Converted to RHD, with twin headlamps and dark rear lights, and UK registered in '83 after a few years?
Edited by Dapster on Sunday 26th January 23:17
I think its a very early 83 model registered here in April, I suppose the shell could have been assembled late 82 perhaps, but thats just an assumption rather than a known fact, it doesn't appear to have been converted at all.
It definitely came with the cibie single lens flat front lights, the dark rear lenses were fitted by a previous owner and the quad headlights were last seen (iirc) in 82, I used to have a coupe gt of the same period and that was the same.
Erich Stahler said:
Good work! very interesting to me, I used to have a 1982 Mars red ur quattro which I ran as an every day car for about 5 years. Looks like yours is an early car too looking at the interior? How are you finding sourcing of new parts? (apologies I haven't read the entire thread.)
Hi Erich, yes registered in april 83.Parts are a pain as theres not much in the way of suppliers, but Pete at Quattro Corner in perry barr seems to be able to get most anything, not cheap but to be expected really.
The guy managed to source me a brand new steering column bearing after the original rusted out due to the scuttle panel being butchered, a part that audi couldnt get amongst others.
I'll get there eventually.
Nice project! Our October 1982 Quattro had Flat, not sloped single headlsmps, analogue dash and fuzzy brown and green teddy bear interior, including the headlining! That should identify an early right hand drive. Digital dash carrs from memory had leather, sloping lamps and restricted engines to try to cut the omissions. I remember the advice on oil consumption with a perfectly healthy engine!
Truly awe inspiring car, did a car swop with a friend for amorning when he bought a new Impreza in the late nineties, and he was blown away by the Quattro's shear presence. Later on I drove it into a petrol station full of Japanese drift kids, and they were equally blown wawy.
Would love to rebuild one for a client
Truly awe inspiring car, did a car swop with a friend for amorning when he bought a new Impreza in the late nineties, and he was blown away by the Quattro's shear presence. Later on I drove it into a petrol station full of Japanese drift kids, and they were equally blown wawy.
Would love to rebuild one for a client
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