RE: 100LS (Long)

[MSV96 <MSV96@aol.com>]

My recolection was that the 100LS and to a lesser degree the Fox (sorry Steve)
were generaly laughing stocks in the world of European cars in the mid 70's.
This was not exclusive to Audi by any means. Almost ALL mid-70's cars were
problematic here in the US...what with thermal reacters and other such engine
destroying and crude emissions systems. (Two of the worst cars I have ever
owned were a 1976 wmb 2002 and a 1977 911S...both mostly due to the thermal
reactors which when removed and engines rebuilt were quite nice-but try
running either of them without the smog crap in CA today!) 

In hindsight, things like the rotary engine, and inboard brakes were inovative
to be sure. I imagine Audi's were far better cars in their home market in the
'70's than here. It was the quattro system which caught my eye in the early
'80's but it took me until late 1987 to reluctantly test drive a car made by
the people who made 100LS's. I did so on the prompting of my then P-car
mechanic who owned and loved an 86 CGT. I was about to buy (gasp) a wmb 325is
but out of fairness test drove an 87 4kcsq. I was instantly enamoured (with
driving a quattro) and now seven Audis later the rest is as they
say...history.

Bottom line is this, don't judge any car maker for the products produced for
the US market in the 70's. In fact it is now inapropriate to even judge new
Audi's based on problems which they had in the early to mid 80's since many
were indeed discovered and sorted out by the late 80's and early 90's. While I
would much prefer most early 70's wmbs to Audis of the same vintage, with some
exceptions I would say just the opposite today. Times change...along with
perceptions.

Mike Veglia
87 5kcstq