85 Coupe GT

[Fisher, Scott]

Nate Beck writes:

> I just recently purchased an 85 coupe GT.

Congratulations!  (Was it the white one in the local autotrader? :-)

My '83 continues to provide remarkable service, and is still very enjoyable
in a fleet of increasingly intriguing vehicles (two Alfas and a 356 as well
as my wife's 100CSQ).  Now, on to your questions:

> 1.  The sunroof comes out doesn't it? I think that
> is what the space in the trunk is for, the question
> is how does it come out?

Turn the crank till the rear of the panel lifts up (about 2", then pull
those two "ring-tab" things about 4" from the back of the sunroof.  Then get
out of the car and slide the roof panel toward the rear; you'll see two
slide-clips at the front that have to slide under retainers on the roof
itself, you need to clear them before you can lift out the panel.  Turn the
crank the opposite direction to lower the ring-tabs.  Installation is the
reverse of removal -- just slide the front clips under the retainers, and
then make sure the ring-tabs securely engage the latches in the roof panel.

On hot days you can leave the rear of the panel lifted to provide
ventilation for the interior while parked (assuming that, like me, you
simply never leave anything worth stealin in your cars).  Not a big deal
here in Portland, but when I travel to California it's a nice way to reduce
the interior heat level from "rolling tandoor" to "sauna."

It's not really difficult, but if you get completely stumped... drop me a
line, I live/work in Tualatin (jsut west of I-5 at about exit 289, for
reference).  We'll find a reasonable place to meet and I'll take you through
the drill.

As for the space in the trunk... wish I still had that in mine.  The
previous owner was a massive stereophile, so he pulled out the sunroof rack
and replaced it with a piece of plywood with all his components on it.
Since I'm not such a 'phile and the previous owner is a friend, I removed it
and gave him back the components, but he didn't still have the rack to put
back in the trunk.  I rarely take the roof panel out -- if it's sunny enough
to catch up on my vitamin D deficiency, that's what the '74 Alfa Spider is
for.

> 2.  Can anyone recommend any audi shops in the
> Portland OR area for getting work done?

Competition Motorsports in Beaverton has done excellent work on both our
Audis (my '83 and my wife's '93 100CSQ).  Say hi to Win Casey from me -- I
haven't seen him because the CGT hasn't needed anything since they put new
bushings in last summer (though shocks are On The List for the next few
months).  Even though the shop works on a range of high-end German cars
(always lots of interesting customer vehicles in there!), Win drives Audis
himself and has always taken top-notch care of my CGT.

My wife also had a very good experience with Sunset Porsche+Audi, AKA the
oft-dreaded dealership.  We got a recall notice for fuel injector seals on
the 100CSQ last summer; she took the car in to have the recall work done and
a) they gave her a free loaner for the weekend (an A4, unfortunately not the
TT she was trying to talk them out of!) and b) they gave us a full tank of
gas when we picked the car up.  We also had some paid service done -- the
sunroof control panel in the 100 had lost first one, then (in rapid
succession) all of its retaining clips and was dangling loosely from just in
front of the mirror.  They ordered a new panel for us, then called back the
next day to say they found one in stock and would we like them to install it
for $12?  (We said yes, just so it would be someone else's fault if a clip
on one of the connectors happened to break.)

Neat cars, the CGTs -- some of the best performance for the money, with a
great balance of comfort and sporting handling.  Enjoy it!

--Scott Fisher
  Tualatin, Oregon