The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rare Audi is out of 28-year hibernation
Arare car tucked away in an Angus garage for 28 years has become a global internet sensation. In 1994, Fred Harrison parked his Audi Quattro Turbo in a Montrose lock-up, and the white coupe remained untouched – until car journalist and TV presenter Jonny Smith made a trip north to unearth the vehicle for his channel on YouTube.
Jonny’s “barn find” videos are a huge hit with petrolheads and he has nearly 400,000 subscribers to the Late Brake Show.
He was contacted by Fred’s brother, Jason, who wondered if the Audi might grab Jonny’s interest.
It did – and the video of the car emerging from almost three decades of hibernation has had more than 350,000 views in just one week.
Jason Harrison, 50, says he is astonished by the response to a story born out of tragedy.
Fred passed away last year after a short battle with cancer. He was just 65.
Jason said: “We have always been into cars and this was Fred’s pride and joy. We still have the receipt for it from August 12 1991.
“He traded in a Mitsubishi Starion, which was a rare car at the time – and handed over £3,995 as the balance for the Audi.
“Fred had loads of great cars, but the Quattro was always his favourite.
“But in 1994 he reversed it into the lock-up, took the wheels off, put it up on blocks and that was it.
“We’ve no idea why and he never spoke about it,” said Jason, a welding engineer with Whittaker Engineering in Stonehaven.
“I sent the Late Brake Show a message and didn’t know if it would be of interest, but it’s just gone crazy.
“Jonny was such a lovely guy and, despite the circumstances, it’s great to see the response the video has had.
“My phone has never stopped with texts and calls from people who have seen it online.
“I think Fred would be chuffed his Quattro has got such a lot of interest – he’d probably say he always told us it was a great car!”
And presenter Jonny is also amazed by the response the Angus find has generated.
He said the Late Brake Show was “ridiculously lucky” to get tips on so many rare cars.
The four-wheel drive Quattro was an instant sensation when it was revealed at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show. It went on to become a motorsport icon in rally form.
But the Montrose car’s rarity is down to being one of the very limited Ur-Quattros. Fred’s car is a survivor of around 75 right-hand drive machines.
WPL 777Y will require a restoration which could cost tens of thousands of pounds, but its originality and features – including a period body kit and rare alloy wheels – make it special.
“We’re still sorting things out, but it’s likely it might go to a specialist auction,” said Jason.