1981 Audi Ur-Quattro

This 1981 Audi Ur-Quattro was one of the first examples brought to Great Britain by the Volkswagen/Audi Group. Assigned the registration number BRP 223X in September 1981, it was featured in period V.A.G publicity materials and press articles, including CARS Magazine’s coverage of Audi Sport’s efforts in the 1982 Monte Carlo Rally. Later that year it was assigned to David Sutton Motorsport, who managed the official Audi Sport UK rally team, where the car was converted to rally specification and used as the team’s practice and reconnaissance car, being driven by the Works drivers including Hannu Mikkola and North American Rally Champion John Buffum. It also went on to compete in multiple rallies, including the 1983 Rothmans Circuit of Ireland alongside Stig Blomqvist’s Quattro and Harald Demuth’s 80 Quattro sedan, with privateer Robert McBurney behind the wheel. In 1985, David Sutton’s Audi Sport UK team sold the car to a Madeiran privateer who competed at various international rallies, including the Rali Vinho Da Madeira between 1985 and 1987. Since being imported back to the UK and restored in 1990, BRP 223X has resided in private collections and participated in a number of historic rallies and gatherings. A major service, involving an engine refresh was performed in 2017, and it is now being offered in the United Kingdom with a history file, MSA logbooks, records from recent service, and a clear V5C registration document. UK-based Ripponden Garages performed a refurbishment in 1990 after the car was purchased by a private collector. It went on to participate in multiple classic events and demonstrations around Europe under previous ownership into the 2000s. BRP 223X is seen here competing in the 1983 Rothmans Circuit of Ireland Rally driven by Robert McBurney. Additional photos from the 1983 season can be viewed in the gallery below. It was also assigned to the North American Champion John Buffum as an official practice car for the Acropolis Rally in Greece, and then to Hannu Mikkola in preparation for the Manx Rally. Following the seller’s acquisition in 2016, BRP 223X participated in one historic rally before being returned to its 1983 Rothmans Circuit of Ireland livery. The bodyshell is reported to remain original. FIA regulation banning all-wheel-drive cars were contested by Audi and ultimately abolished in 1979. The Quattro was released to the public and FIA rally circuit the following season. While the German-built works racers received a Matter roll cage, this car utilizes a unit from Safety Devices, which was installed by By David Sutton Motorsport when the car was being converted for practice and reconnaissance use in 1982. A newer set of harnesses and Sparco rally seats have been added in recent years, along with a Brantz Rallymeter. A Terry Hoyle built “blue block” inline-five was installed when the car was being prepped for the Audi Sport UK team. However, power now comes from a turbocharged 2.1-liter SOHC inline-five which was initially modified by Audi Specialists Lehmann Motoren, in Triesen, Lichtenstein and installed later during the car’s career. A rebuild at UK-based Dialynx Performance was performed in 2009, and the engine was shipped back to them for a refresh during the most recent 2017 service. A five-speed manual gearbox is responsible for transferring power to all four wheels. Tuthill Porsche, a well-known preparer of historic rally Porsches in Wardington England, has managed required mechanical service during its recent historic rallying career, including the 2009 Trackrod Rally, two Welsh rallies in 2010, demonstrations at the British Rally Show at Chatsworth (2010) and Coventry (2011), and Cholmondeley Castle RallyFest as part of the 2016 WRC Wales Rally GB. After being shipped to the Volkswagen/Audi Group’s UK office in 1981, BRP 223X was featured in VAG publicity material and driven by the motoring press for articles and reviews. Shown above is a photo from Audi Quattro: The Development and Competition History by Jeremy Watson. BRP 223X is being prepped in 1983 at David Sutton Motorsport’s workshop positioned between Stig Blomqvist’s Quattro and Harald Demuth’s 80 Quattro sedan. BRP 223X has also been featured in Graham Robson’s Audi Quattro, as well as the film The World’s Greatest Rally Cars produced by Duke Video in 2000. This photo was taken from inside when it served as a press car on the 1982 Monte Carlo Rally. Michèle Mouton’s Works Quattro is overtaking. Madeiran rally driver José Barros purchased BRP 223X from David Sutton Motorsport in 1985 and campaigned it privately at numerous international rallies for the following three seasons. Multiple photos of the car at the Rali Vinho Da Madeira can be viewed in the gallery below. The video above was taken by Petroleum & Co and shows BRP 223X being driven on public roads. Classic Cars magazine also road tested the car on the backroads of Wales for their June, 2017 issue.