[urq] how does this happen?

Tue Nov 30 22:02:22 PST 2010

I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed.

I've looked at the quattro badge on the grille of my
muffler-shop-parking-lot-find 85 urq and thought that it was refreshingly
one of the few original unmolested bits about it.  I'm somewhat saddened to
learn that it too is yet another "modification", albeit one that would only
offend a concourse judge.  ;-P

Mine is an 85 urq that I bought for 1300 bux in '02, sight UNseen, that was
not running, with fuel injection apart, robust yet not easily reversable
roll bar installed, nearly every seat seam split, no rad housing, no oil
cooler/intercooler ducting, no cat, no license plate, fubar window
regulators, badly peeling/missing clearcoat, leaking power steering,
completely unknown service history, horribly weather-checked old BFG T/A
tires, broken horn pad, inoperative horns, and least but not last,
completelty inop interior lighting, that I drove from Greenville, SC to
Colorado Springs, CO in late October with nary more than a phone call 3 days
previous from a trusted mechanic/friend who said merely "it's running".  

Aside from a water-cooled K26 conversion, a full timing belt/water pump
service and with a scant minimum of repairs and only a modest and very
recent effort to barely update the suspension with new front struts, strut
bearings, and control arms, this same car has done round trips from Colorado
Springs to Park City, UT, Glenwood Springs, CO, and Las Vegas, NV (back via
Los Angeles, Flagstaff, and Durango, CO).  Stupidly or otherwise it has had
little more than oil/filter changes, one coolant flush (if you ignore
several fairly serious coolant leak incidents, thanks to all who put up with
delays and assisted in roadside & parking lot repairs) and new tires.  

It wouldn't and still won't probably pass emissions but aside from some
early (in my ownership) add'l teething pains, it has started and run
confidently for 8 years and the better part of 7000 miles.  The most recent
and significant journey to the Vegas get together was embarked upon with
little more than a few miles of use after being parked for two years after
the Glenwood trip.  It had fresh oil either before or after the two-year
"rest" and I did not change it before I left for Vegas. (I did do an oil
change once I arrived in LA)

Though not exactly a testament to my devotion to maintenance in this case,
it does say something for the true mettle of the urq.  Some may say I've
been exceptionally fortunate.  I would also offer my experience as a
contrast to those who won't let one see light of day until everything is
perfect.

This urq in Tampa is clearly not close to being in turn-key condition.
There are some who have spent many dollars creating wonderful examples and
there are some who enjoy sound, reliable daily drivers, with much crossover
in between.  Each and every one that I read about and see in person when We
gather reinforce my enthusiasm.  The urq in Tampa piques my interest
strongly.

To each their own.  Instead of dismissing the Tampa urq with a LOL, I am now
even more tempted by the opportunity it may represent.

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: JP Chaplen [mailto:quattrodude at comcast.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 6:53 PM
To: Ed Kellock
Cc: urq at audifans.com; W. Bean; Steve Mills
Subject: Re: [urq] how does this happen?

Look at the good things about it, it does have the rings on the front, they
would prob polish up nicely, And note - no Quattro badge like we all found
out...

Also has a nice air freshner inside too, and it has a car alarm!!! - with
upgraded speakers in the door too!

How can you go wrong?

LOL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Kellock" <ekellock at gmail.com>
To: "Steve Mills" <s.b.mills at gmail.com>
Cc: urq at audifans.com, "W. Bean" <theringmeister at triad.rr.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 2:36:56 PM
Subject: Re: [urq] how does this happen?

My approach would not be to restore it.  I would merely intend to make it a
streetable, viable example.  This would not be something that I would pay
for, it would be a DIY project.  If it's structurally sound, it could be
quite fun.  If it could be returned to a good runner, then the value might
be there many years down the road.  I would not embark upon this with any
sort of intention to make money off it, just keep it on the road and enjoy
it.

Ed

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Mills [mailto:s.b.mills at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 3:31 PM
To: Ed Kellock
Cc: W. Bean; <urq at audifans.com>
Subject: Re: [urq] how does this happen?

I hate to see any UrQs sent to the crusher also. We just had a bit of a
debate on this recently on QW- another eBay listing of an 83 that was in
worse shape than this appears to be. I inadvertently PO'd the owner by
describing it as a car that only needed a pair of "Yabba Dabba Doo" shoes to
complete the package. As with that car, the cost to repair this will
unfortunately exceed the value of the finished car for the foreseeable
future. And, regardless if the quality if the repair, it will also never be
worth as much as one that never rusted in the first place.   

Long way of saying, "Pass". I will cheer loudly from the cheap seats,
though. 

Steve

On Nov 30, 2010, at 3:53 PM, "Ed Kellock" <ekellock at gmail.com> wrote:

> True.  But, I am the type that would not like to see any example be 
> sent to the crusher, especially one that looks this complete.  Even if 
> you have to redo the interior, it could be rectified fairly easily 
> with a donor CGT or even a 4kq.  Extensive rust would be another story 
> altogether.
> 
> Ed
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: urq-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:urq-bounces at audifans.com] On 
> Behalf Of Steve Mills
> Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 1:51 PM
> To: W. Bean
> Cc: urq at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [urq] how does this happen?
> 
> 
> There is a fine line between brave and crazy. Sadly, there are many 
> better ones available.
> 
> On Nov 30, 2010, at 9:47 AM, "W. Bean" <theringmeister at triad.rr.com> 
> wrote:
> 
>> somebody brave going to save it?
>> 
>> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2706697
>> 1
>> 3021#v4-33
>> --
>> Wylie Bean
>> TheRingmeister at triad.rr.com
>> 90 cq
>> 91 90q20v sport
>> 92 UrS4
>> 08 Q7 3.6
>> 
>> 
>> 
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