Re: ANOTHER CQ for sale (& interesting background?) long-ish

[harrison <hsapir@multiverse.com>]

I saw this ad in QC earlier this year. I seriously considered it for about 30
seconds. I thought, "well, it's only in Akron, I could go see it." What the
hell, right? Then it hit me. The thought of a pre production car with the wrong
wheels and seats, no airbag, and most importantly NO TITLE!!!! This car sounds
like a serious nightmare waiting to happen.

harrison

David Via wrote:

> Last Saturday I came across an interesting CQ while I was out running some
> errands. Standard disclaimers apply (no interest, etc...).
>
> On my way to the mall I spied a dark Coupe parked in front of a place of
> business.  I immediately noticed that it had Audi OEM-style BBS wheels
> rather than the usual Speedlines.    Since these cars don't exactly "grow
> on trees" in my hometown of Akron, OH - I turned around to see if I could
> talk to the owner, tell him about the lists, etc...
>
> The car turns out to be Charcoal metallic, with cloth interior.  Looks
> pretty clean and straight, but needs a good cleaning.  Has Ohio dealer
> plates (?).  I go inside and locate the owner.  I ask if it's a '90 or a
> '91 since I didn't get a look at the sunroof on the way in.  He says
> "neither".  I say "excuse me?"...
>
> He proceeds to tell me it's a 1989 "pre-introduction" car.  Apparently it
> was one of the cars which Audi brought to the U.S. to train the dealers on
> the new Coupe.  Interesting.  We walk outside and he opens the door  so I
> can see the interior.   Power seats, cold weather pkg, (I think...) a
> normal U.S. spec CQ - except it has an extra switch in the dash switch
> panel, not sure what for.  It also has the older (square-style) turn signal
> and wiper levers.
>
> The owner tells me he came by the car because he knew a dealer, and had
> done some racing with him, etc..  The odometer shows only 42,000 miles (!)
> which amazed me.  The owner said it's really more like 37k since he had 17"
> wheels on it for a number of years.  He "only drives it on Saturdays".
>  Wow.
>
> He didn't have a lot of time, or seem to want to talk much, but he did
> mention that he was looking to sell the car.  The problem is that
> apparently it has no title, due to it's pre-production status, and
> therefore can't be driven on the street without a dealer plate.  He also
> said he had gotten a letter from Audi telling him he has to "dispose" of
> the car.  He said he figures that he can only sell the car to someone for
> use on the track, or part it out, or something.  He would like to get
> $4,000 - $5,000 out of it.  He has tried listing it in Quattro Quarterly,
> but got only one call - maybe some of you have seen it.
>
> That's all that I know about the car folks.  I told the owner (Bill Fox -
> 330.928.3402) that I'd post it to the lists for him.  If anyone would be
> interested in such an oddity then surely it would be someone here.  The
> owner's place of business is about 5 minutes from my home, near Akron, Ohio
> so if there's anyway that I can be of help, I'm available.
>
> Dave Via
> (91 CQ - apparently Coupes DO grow on trees in Akron now...)