Type 44's are officially classics, or at least scarce

[DeWitt Harrison]

From: cobram at juno.com
Subject: Type 44's are officially classics, or at least scarce.

I'll wager that the driver of any really nice looking type 44 is likely to
have such an experience. I've had it happen myself. This will also likely
become a trend since Audi itself has washed its corporate hands of the type
44, thereby guaranteeing the rapid disappearance of this design from the
automotive scene. In my view, this is both sad and ironic since it was
really the type 44 and other contempoary Audi models  that brought Audi into
the active consciousness of American automotive opinion makers. These cars
were striking departures from the boring wasteland that was the American car
landscape at the time.

But no. The Audi bean counters have pledged to drive a stake through the
heart of the type 44 while they continue to try to exploit the victories of
the car and it's Quattro predecessors of the era. The Audi management have
no pride and no scruples.

Our Colorado Governor recently decreed that cars must now be 30 years old to
qualify for "antique" status. Hell, the type 44 was an antique 10 years ago
according to Audi. And, no, the type 44 will not be supported under Audi's
"Audi Tradition" program. Audi says "goodbye and good luck" to the type 44
and others. I'm afraid Huw's stable of 80's and 90's may also be on Audi's
"go *%ck yourself" list.

DeWitt Harrison
'88 5ktq and then some
Boulder, CO

> Maybe not by a strict year designation,  but it seems that just about
> everywhere I stop with the '90 200TQA someone wants to strike up a
> conversation about how they haven't seen one of those in a long time, or
> wow, that's in great shape etc.  Might be a regional thing, as around
> here type 44 Audi's were a dime a dozen "back in the day."  It kind of
> struck me by surprise, it's not THAT old, but I guess attrition has taken
> it's toll.  Thinking about it, in the last couple weeks or so I haven't
> seen ONE other type 44 on the road.