Images thanks to RM Auctions, by Erik Fuller
If you wanted to go race in the utterly mad Group B World Rally Championship in 1982, you had to build homologation cars to qualify. These cars were (slightly) less mad.
This 1984 Audi Sport Quattro is a perfect example of the ‘slightly’ in less mad Group B homologation cars, and it’s heading to auction at RM Auctions’ Arizona sale in January, 2015.
Only 2014 Audi Sport Quattros were built for Group B homologation, and they were all stunners. With just 8,300 kilometers on the clock, this particular car exists as one of the best and most original remaining examples.
With the relaxed regulations of Group B, and the requirement of only 200 cars to meet homologation rules, manufacturers were free to push boundaries – and Audi smashed them with the Sport Quattro.
The Sport Quattro took the already-impressive Group 4 Quattro and fixed all of its downfalls. Its wheelbase was shortened and its steel monocoque shell featured GRP and carbon-Kevlar panels to trim weight.
For power the racing car received a turbocharged 2,133 cubic centimetre five-cylinder alloy-bock motor. Putting out 450 brake horsepower tuned for competition the car could run zero to one hundred in 4.8 seconds.
On the road going version you’ll just have to make do with 302 brake horsepower.
To bring that power into check the car featured brakes developed for Porsche’s 917 – AP four-piston racing brakes, ventilated and slotted. The road version of the car would receive a selectable ABS system.
To keep the car connected to the road it was given four-wheel independent coil-spring suspension with front and rear anti-roll bars.
The 214 Sport Quattros which Audi built were sold through specialised dealers to select customers, and ran at a not-inconsiderable 200,000 Deutschmarks.
Despite the road-going ticket, this is no hand-holding road car. It handles like a race car and requires management of plenty of turbo lag as you wait to spin up that big KKK-K27 turbocharger. Driving it requires talent, mechanical sympathy and a healthy respect. We love the sound of that!
This particular car was originally purchased by Yoshikuni Okamoto, and then sold to the current caretaker.
Its white paint is understood to be original, and it still sits on its factory-correct white alloy wheels. It will be sold with its original tools, jack, owner’s and service manual, radio with manual and set of fresh original racing belts.
In contrast to most of the competition cars we enjoy so much, this one has been gently driven throughout its time – and that’s a good thing! It’s been recently, and thoroughly, serviced by Audi of Fairfield Connecticut and is registered for road use.
While it doesn’t have a competition history of its own, this car represents a significant, rare and awesome piece of the overall history of the World Rally Championship. It’s an artefact of Group B – one of the wildest times that the sport has witnessed – and you can drive it on the road!
We want one.
Head to RM Auctions’ official website here for the full details. Their Arizona sale will be held on the 15th and 16th of January, 2015 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.
Images thanks to RM Auctions, by Erik Fuller
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