If you've not seen it already, set aside an hour and a half to watch the Michele Mouton documentary 'Queen of Speed' on Now TV. It's free to watch (just don't forget to cancel the trial) and a brilliant bit of filmmaking. Mouton's achievements in rallying only become more remarkable with each passing year; she remains the only woman to have ever won a round of the WRC. In fact, her last victory was Brazil 40 years ago this year. Without a top-level female driver in this year's championship, it's a record that will stand for another season. And really shouldn't.
Besides documenting a great story, Queen of Speed features some fantastic footage of her old rally cars, including an Alpine A110, a Fiat 131, and Porsche 911. But, of course, Mouton is best known for her relationship with Audi, the team she drove for from 1980 to 1985. And, well, you'll know all about the car...
Once you've watched Queen of Speed it's going to be hard to resist gawping at Quattros, so consider this the legwork done for you. Even the pre-Group B footage is absorbing (Mouton taking her first win at San Remo in 1981), the big Audi unlike any other competitor to look at and listen to - but the pace was undeniable. Even then, the gamble taken by Audi on four-wheel drive was paying off, and what would the manufacturer be without the Quattro?
This one looks a stunner. It's a 1984 WR Quattro, meaning it's from a couple of years after the very first UK, RHD cars and uses the 10-valve, 200hp version of the five-cylinder turbo. Both the Alpine White exterior and checked cloth interior look in fine fettle, with the refurbished digital dash proudly on display.
It isn't a concours, unmodified example, with new Koni suspension and an uprated turbo, but that just means the next owner doesn't have to worry about preserving an untouched, original example. At 38 years old it's probably not an everyday classic any longer, but the old Audi looks eminently usable for whenever the mood strikes. Which can't be said of all iconic performance cars of the early 1980s.
With 85,000 miles and a stack of history, the Quattro ought to be fighting fit for whatever its next owner has planned. The price is £39,750, which seems about average; you'll pay less for one with more miles, though also up to twice as much for a 20-valve car. At which point you might think a bit harder about regularly using it - especially for those planning on their best Mouton impression...
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