RE: ur-quattro collectability

[quattro <quattro@acacianet.com>]

I faced all of the same issues Anton. I believe there are two keys here:

1) 100% reversibility of modifications
2) factory Vs aftermarket 'upgrades'

GOOD: the Euro headlights and K24 upgrades are examples of both reversible upgrades and also 'factory upgrades', as both can use factory/OEM parts and also parts that were used on later model years

BAD: new paint, holes drilled in the dash/firewall for gauges, roll-bars, body kits, etc, are good examples of non-reversible upgrades that can kill collector value

I believe totally in making only reversible upgrades to my 85 ur-q and also to use factory parts where possible. 'Factory upgrades' will be far less objectionable to the purist and some may even add value.    So go ahead and make that K24 upgrade and replace that rad and go for those way-nice late-model Hella Eurolights - just *save those factory parts* for future fitment back to the 100% as-delivered stock configuration. Mucking-about with the body and paint is a definite NO-NO. Other than that you can have your ur-q cake and eat it too by applying some restraint, common sense and limiting your upgrades to those that are 100% reversible.

-glen


 I've been following this thread and it raises my interest because of
the crossroads I am at now with my '85. My intention has always been to
keep my quattro stock. That was what was appealing about the one
I bought. My car is stock down to the radio.
 My understanding of the basic guidelines for a possible collector car
is that the more orignial the car, the more valuable it will be if that
model becomes a collector. Good original paint is going to be worth more
then beautiful aftermarket paint. That's the way it works. I've seen
alot of argument the urq is a collectable car. To me it is. On the other
hand most of the urq owners on this list seem more then too happy to
change the originality.
 I have been debating this for a month now. Do I get my turbo rebuilt to
factory condition or do I replace it with a WC K24 or K26. If I do this
the car is not factory original, it is modified. That hurts the cars
collector value. I've also been considering upgrading the front
headlights. Someone out there mentioned by changing to the euro
headlights we can freshen  the cars looks and bring it inline with the
late '80s version. This is a great idea and I've been considering it.
 But again comes the question of the cars future collectability.
Considering it is just a car I have been grieving over these very
thoughts for sometime. I need to do something with my turbo in the next
seven weeks but I just can't come to a decision-factory original or wc.
Do I have my radiator recored or do I replace it?
 With only 73 cars like mine in the world I have to weigh these thoughts
heavily. I have to be sure whatever modifications I make to the car I
can back track to the factory setup. When I'm buying parts for my car I
think about it. There is one part on my car I am thinking of replacing
right now. There is only one new factory replacement for it in all of
North America. Do I spend the $400 for it, get an aftermarket part or
try and repair the original? In this case I'll try and repair the one I
have but I'm going to keep that one part a secret, for now, just in
case.
 I wonder if I'll worry this much when it's time to choose a college for
my kids to go to....
Anton