Re: Ur-Q collectability

[William Elliott <William.Elliott@mail.mei.com>]

Just my $.02

I guess I come down on both sides of the fence.  Collectability has a lot of 
different connotations.  Sheer production numbers influence, but are not a 
primary indicator of collectability  Lots of cars had very low production 
numbers because they were undesirable.  Similarly, "value" doesn't really 
indicate much, either, other than the law of supply and demand.

For example:  you could order a 1957 Chevy 210 2dr HT "Utility"  (no rear seat, 
no heater, etc.) with all the go-fast stuff (incl fuelie engine, etc).  Only a 
handful (2-4) are documented to exist.  This makes them extremely rare and 
"collectible".... but still worth less than a fully-loaded 57 Belair (MUCH more 
numerous) with the same drivetrain.  Which one would I rather have?  The 
Utility, of course, since I value uniqueness.  But I'm in the minority.

It's kind of the same with the UrQ.  It's more "collectible" than a concurrent 
Porsche 911 (UrQ much rarer and cost more), but doesn't not have nearly the 
911's value.  Once again, which would I rather have?  The UrQ.  Again, though, 
I'm in the minority.  (But the value it does have over a 4kq or 5ktq does 
indicate its collectability due to supply and demand.)

In my opinion, no Audi will ever have great value (Sports excepted due to their 
_extremely_ low production).  I bought my 85 UrQ (the most desirable here in 
the US) from a "collection" which included vintage Alfa racers and Ferrari's.  
The collector (a rally fan) had it in nearly "museum" condition and was 
hesitant to sell it to me when he found out I planned to drive it.  His reason 
for selling?  He apparently replaced with an 82 with only 6,000 miles on it.  
He decided the low mileage (vice mine with 80k)  would be the determining 
factor (over production numbers or current desirability) in the car's value 
over the next decade.

So, while I value the car's "uniqueness" and "collectability", I'm under no 
misconceptions that it will shoot up in value significantly over the next few 
years.  If I was, I wouldn't drive it!  And for me, that would take away the 
primary reason for owning it.

On the other hand, if people like me drive their US-spec 85's into the ground, 
then the value of those cars may go up substantially (again due to supply and 
demand) .  I may have to pay a lot more for my next 85 UrQ!

Bill Elliott
Lake Mills, WI
Bunch of old cars, all "collectible", but not shooting up in value.