ur-q collectability in the US

[glen powell <gpowell@acacianet.com>]

I'm willing to bet and have bet that the US-spec ur-qs, especially the 85s, will be very
highly collectable here in the US. They were built in very very tiny numbers, as
compared to the large numbers built for ROW. The 85s are one-year unique and are
by far the smallest in numbers and the most desirable for the superior interior, dash,
factory-rolled fenders, wide rear valence, upgraded fuse box under the hood with
modern fuses, individually fused and wired high and low-beam headlights, heated
seats, sunroof, analog instrumentation, fibre rear deck lid, 15x8" Ronals with monster
215-50-15 Pirelli P7Rs, etc, etc. 

By now most US of the ur-qs have been wrecked, irreversibly modified,
burned, trashed, rusted away, or broken-up for parts. Another real plus of the unique
85 is that they are hot-dip galvanized and no not rust as do the earlier years. I feel 
very strongly that all remaining examples in good/excellent condition, especially the
so much sought after 85s are now appreciating and will be very highly collectibles as 
are similar special-model Porches, bimmers & mbz, etc. Ur-qs in general also have
a very rich, colorful and successful competition history in the US winning Pikes Peak,
multiple SCCA Pro-Rally Championships, the Mt. Washington Hillclimb Race, (the
oldest motorsport event in the US) and many other competition events over the years.
They were all also hand-built homologation specials. These factors, small build numbers,
smaller still survival rates, hand-built status and a long, rich and successful competition
history are all critical aspects to Super Car status here and future collectability and price
appreciation in the US. There are simply just not enough examples to satisfy the
demands of all of the US collectors and enthusiasts. The ur-qs' place in US motorsport
history and collectability is assured simply by the law of supply and demand. As Audi's
marketplace mindshare and publicity increases with the A4, A8 and now the new A6 and
S4, much additional mindshare and presence will be placed on the car that started it all
and collectors, enthusiasts and speculators will be brought into competition for the 'big
one' that started it all - the ur-q. 

The situation in Europe and in the UK is very different where they received a vastly larger
total number of examples and is not comparable to the US marketplace. Also, US-spec ur-q
are very easily and inexpensively upgradable to Euro-spec performance and beyond, so this
is not at all a negative issue for US collectors.

-glen

> I'm willing to bet that the only "collectible" Ur-Qs will be the early
> '80/'81s and the '89 through '91 20Vs ... all the rest will ride on their
> coattails but won't bring anywhere near the same prices.  Any takers?

Not happening yet.  Roger Galvin just bought a _very_ early LHD ur-quattro for 
the price of a decent lunch.  20Vs continue to fetch silly prices, though.

-- 
 Phil Payne
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club