[urq] Audis as Collectibles...

[Kwattro at aol.com]

In a message dated 01-01-20 12:26:46 EST, you write:

<< I agree that we better be VERY careful what we wish for. We are still 
seeing 
 some URQs at track events. If they become "collectable," that will cease. 
The 
 daily enjoyment of these cars, now possible, will also go by the wayside.
 I personally prefer the enjoyment value to the bank value.
 I remember in the early 80's when the Ferrari club had 365 Daytona's show up 
 at track events. One hard charging owner totally trashed (to the cords) a 
 brand new set of Michelin XWX tires in less than 6 hours of track time. The 
 enjoyment he experienced cannot be quantified in dollars. Now the owners 
 won't even drive the cars _to_ the track for display, let alone some hot 
laps.
 I want to drive em!
  >>


I think that you're wrong.  We'll always see some crazy owner "trashing" and 
thrashing his multi-million dollar car(s) in pointless celebrations of past 
glory.  Every year, at places like Goodwood and Monterey, priceless cars are 
beaten into the ground, and sometimes crashed.  Not too long ago (actually, I 
think it was May), a Porsche 908 showed up for a driver's school event at 
Limerock.  A 908.  No shit.  (anyone who doesn't know what a 908 is, is 
missing out.  One of the more beautiful production road spec race cars ever 
produced.) They wouldn't let him run after 2 sessions, as the car was WAY too 
loud, but he spun it twice in the two breif sessions, nonetheless.  This past 
year at Goodwood, how many priceless cars were wrecked (only to be later 
repaired, I'm quite sure).  The Ferrari F1 150 Dino that nearly flipped onto 
Alan DeCadinet (sp?) comes to mind.  Look at Frank Beddor, who runs his Sport 
Quattros all over the place.  While the Ur-Q may (or very well may not) 
become a collectable, there will always be one or two die hards that insist 
on running the cars because it's more true to their heritage than letting 
them sit and accumulate dust.  Also, we are obviously biased in thinking that 
the Ur-Q will attain collectable status - look at all of the wonderful cars, 
now readily purchaceable, which have not yet acheived collector status.  
Certainly the 930 comes to mind, a revolutionary car with as much, if not 
more, global impact than the Ur-Q.  And perhaps only certain models, like the 
coveted 20V's, will become collectable. (Look at the difference in the market 
between a 356 and a 356 4 cam.  About 30,000$ vs. 120,000$.).  In any event, 
anyone wishing to see a Ur-Q running at track events won't have to go much 
farther than Limerock, Walkins, and Summit - I'll be there, and I'm sure that 
unless you know the car, you'll think it's a Ur-Q when I'm done.  :-)


Later!
Carter