Bought out for display at Rally Australia during the halcyon days when the event was held in WA and the official opening of the new Audi Australia headquarters in Sydney in 2009, the car was rarely seen in public. Only a few were lucky to view it, let alone take a wild ride in a truly memorable car with its distinctive five-cylinder engine note. Although the car was revolutionary for its time, mechanically it was not rocket science to restore and nor were the electrics anything we see on today’s modern WRC cars.
According to Todd, without the help of former 1983 NZ Rally Champion, the late Malcolm Stewart, who also owned an ex-works Group B Quattro, the restoration task would have been near impossible. Malcolm provided the technical knowledge, build specification and many spare parts to keep the restoration progressing. It was he who taught Todd how to start and stop the engine in the manner Audi Sport used and how to drive the car, albeit nothing compared to the speed and control of an accomplished rally driver.
As a token of appreciation for his help and just prior to Malcolm’s death from the degenerative motor neurone disease in 2009, Todd was able to sticker the car in its 1982 Rally Portugal livery, with Malcolm’s name as the driver. Although unable to communicate towards the later part of his life, seeing photos of R26 with his name as the nominated driver bought a tear to his eye. Todd decreed that while he remained the owner of R26, Malcolm’s name would remain on the car.There were others who helped with the restoration and who Todd is indebted for their assistance -
- Electrical Aircraft Engineer John Cureton who rewired the car
- Mike Arnott for the stickers and sign writing
- Ex-Williams F1 fabricator Phil Mann for the brilliant welding and fabrication of many parts
- Peter Godwich who was able to sort out the Bosch Motronic wiring and get the engine started
There we also many others who got their hands dirty and shared a beer at the end of the day. That included his wife who became most accomplished at bleeding the brakes and clutch. Todd wishes to thank them all.However, after more than 12 years of ownership, Todd has decided to sell this historic rally car and it will return home to Germany, not far from Ingolstadt, where it was built in 1982.
Todd says just because he’s selling R26 doesn’t mean he still won’t have a deep passion for the Quattro. He became a privileged person, one of a few worldwide to own an ex-works Quattro.
The only ex-works Audi Quattro that still remains in the region is the former Malcolm Stewart car, R55, now located in the Oamaru Auto Collection in the South Island of New Zealand - a must see if you are visiting New Zealand.
The Original Audi Quattro
The year 2010 brought us 30 years of Quattro. The Audi Quattro was unveiled to the public and press at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1980. By April 1980, Audi Sport had built the first Quattro rally car prototype and on January 1st, 1981 homologation was confirmed into FISA Group 4.
For admirers of motor sport and the technical innovations it brings the general motoring public, the Audi Quattro burst onto the World Rally Championship in 1981. This technology of vehicle was so radically advanced that many skeptics disregarded its potential, until they saw with their own eyes how successful the Quattro drive system could be. It had immediate success by winning a world championship event within six weeks of homologation, winning the 1982 World Rally Championship for Manufacturers, the 1983 World Rally Drivers Championship and both titles in 1984. Â
It was the Audi Quattro that changed the face of world rallying. Â
R26
This ex-works Audi Quattro Rally Car was built by Audi Sport in 1982, one of the vehicles that not only put turbo-charging and four-wheel drive into world rallying, but more importantly, put Audi above all other manufacturers.
Serial number R26 is one of only 61 built by Audi Sport and from all reports one of only a few with the original chassis still remaining.
This vehicle was built in 1982, taken from the production line by Audi Sport and sent to bodywork specialists, Matter and Obermoser, who produced the competition masterpieces. Each modified vehicle was designated a Rally Serial Number, hence R26, to a given VIN, proving its authenticity. The vehicle started out in Group 4 specification, but evolved into a Group B A1 and A2 Quattro as FISA changed the rallying rules between 1983 and 1986.
Audi Sport confirmed R26 rallied using plate IN-NK 79. The vehicle was driven primarily by the 1983 World Rally Champion, Hannu Mikkola, from Finland, during the 1982 WRC season and for testing during 1983
1982 Portuguese Rally – Driver Hannu Mikkola
Leading at the end of stage 10. Crashed during stage 11 – rolled – retired
Stage results – 2 firsts, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, 1 fifth
1982 Acropolis Rally - Driver Michele Cinotto
Retired stage 9 with alternator problems
Stage results – 2 firsts, 1 third
1982 San Remo Rally - Driver Michele Cinotto
Test car
1983 Transferred from Group 4 to Group B. Upgraded by Audi Sport to A1 and A2 specifications for testing.
Test at Hockenheim Ring 1/3 thru 3/3 1983
Test in Corsica
Motor 380 PS 14/3 thru 18/3 1983
Chassis tuning 19/3 thru 25/3 1983
Night test 27/7 thru 29/7 1983
The vehicle was sold by Audi Sport Germany in damaged condition on October 19, 1983 to David Sutton Motorsport, who managed the rallying efforts of Audi Sport UK.
The vehicle was sold in 1987 and campaigned privately until 1990 in the UK national series. The vehicle was later put into the respected D onnington Museum, UK, and subsequently sold to private owners since 1991.
This vehicle is in full 1982/1983 Audi Sport colours and still bears the scars of an incredible World Rally Championship history.
Technical Specifications
- Audi Quattro A1 Group B competition car
- 5 cylinder, SOHC, two valves per cylinder
- Bore and Stroke 79.51mm x 86.4mm, 2144cc
- Bosch mechanical fuel injection system
- KKK-K26 or K27 turbocharger with Intercooler
- Output: 340bhp at 6000RPM @1.7 bar boost 305lbs ft/lbs torque at 3600RPM
- Transmission: Permanent 4 wheel drive which limited slip rear diff and solid locked centre diff
- Body: Basic steel construction with composite Kevlar panels and Perspex windows
- Suspension: McPherson strut with strengthened wishbones. Boge strut dampening and alternative coil springs
- Weight:Â Â Â 1250kgs
- Brakes:Â Â Â Four wheel ventilated 280mm discs, 4 spot AP brake units
- Wheels:Â Â Â 6 or 7 inch or TRX 150 or 180 mm for loose gravel and snow. Up to 10 inch for tarmac:
- Performance:Â Â Â 0-100kph 4.9 to 5.2 seconds on gravel
- 0-160kph 12.8 to 13.5 seconds on gravel
- Economy:Â Â Â 6mpg/47litres per 100km in competition
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
