Case histories
We test the classics that you can buy
AUDI 100S COUPÉ
Year of manufacture 1971 Recorded mileage 58,878
Asking price £22,500 Vendor Cotswold Classic Car Restorations, Cirencester; tel: 01793 752195; www.cotswoldclassiccarrestorations.co.uk WHEN IT WAS NEW Price £2513 Max power 112bhp Max torque 118Ib ft
0-60mph 10.6 secs Top speed 112mph Mpg 23.6
This 100S is believed to be the 1971 Paris Salon car. It was converted to righthand drive by an Audi dealer in Holland for its first owner; the second, a motor engineer from Cardiff, bought it in the mid-’70s and gave it to his son in the ’90s. It was restored in 2000 and had a brake overhaul in 2013. It comes with a huge history file that includes every MOT since 1979 (the current one runs to March 2019), along with all of its original handbooks, an Audi service book stamped up to 1992, and invoices for items such as new tyres (correct Continentals all round). There’s a selection of spares in the boot, too.
The 18-year-old repaint has held up well, though some swirl marks on the trim and a few bits of overspray suggest that not all the brightwork was removed. The doors close beautifully, with even gaps, and most of the chrome is at least presentable, although there is pitting on the rear light surrounds, doorhandles and the C-pillar vents. The Webasto roof is a period extra but looks right and works well, although there is slight staining around the screws holding the trim surrounds to the headliner. The floors, inner arches and boot have nothing to hide, and suggest that the car has probably not been welded.
The ‘S’ wheels – actually covers over saloon steels – are in good order apart from flaking of the contrasting grey finish. Inside, the only thing to offend the eye is a non-original wooden gearknob. The driver’s seat has collapsed slightly, but the black velour is in fine condition, as are the door cards and the flecked carpets. The cigar lighter is not original but the radio is – shame it doesn’t work.
Under the bonnet, the car is dry and well cared for, but not to show standard. The fluids are clean and to level, and beneath there are new hoses and recent shock absorbers. The engine sounds tappety from cold but smooths once it gets warm, which takes a while, and the Audi drives as well as it looks. There is a rattle from the dash (and the front suspension), but the brakes are excellent and it pulls smoothly through the gears. However, the clutch bites rather high and synchromesh in second is weak, requiring careful double-declutching.
SUMMARY
EXTERIOR
Excellent, apart from some pitting on rare chrome parts
INTERIOR
Reflects low mileage; driver’s seat cushion needs looking at
MECHANICALS
All good, other than gearbox linkage
VALUE ++++++ ,,,,
For Great history, few owners and low mileage, plus lots of money spent
Against Priced on the strong side
SHOULD I BUY IT?
The 100S is one of the few really collectible Audis. Minor issues aside, this is as good as they get