1986 Audi KV Quattro - Hunting from Oz

The E Bay ad stated the location as 'Thetford' Norfolk - Well that's a 140 miles / 3 hour run from my place but hang on a certain BRM Forum member in the shape of toomanyprojects resides a few miles above Thetford - message left with vendor and a 'Whatapp' message to Sam - Sam offers to help (Not taking liberties but I knew he would) - Utter radio silence from the E Bay vendor in my direction - Chris down in Oz receives communication though stating that we haven't been in touch - well we cant respond if the vendor doesn't return messages  - Sam gets involved a bit more and I'll let him now pick up on the story 

After dropping the dog off and a swift change of clothes into something a little drier, it was down to Thetford armed with some blankets and towels to lay on / dry myself off with after .

So here is what was I met with, one covered Quattro with a straight up seller. Turns out he'd been messed about quite considerably previously so apologised for being a little tardy on responding to messages. What was more comforting, but I didn't take any pictures of, was another quattro under cover that he'd just finished restoring, he was just waiting for a fan belt and then he could get it MOT'd ready to enjoy. This car was going to be his next project, however he now had an opportunity to buy the house he was renting and with a young daughter too it was something the cars were going to have to be sold for.

So the car in question



Cue much rolling about to get a good look under the car at the sills etc. It still had the original covers on:






From the looks of things, everything tied in with the sellers story of him purchasing the car from someone who had it in long term storage, and that the car has never been touched - the jacking points even appeared to have original paint on them


As to be expected, there was a slight covering of surface rust in the usual areas


a lot of the factory underseal appeared to be present along with the usual covering of seam sealer which was starting to peel away in places.



Along with factory wax on the bulkhead


The worst areas which will require some new metal and welding, were on the top half of the car



and on the strut tower under the bonnet


The interior was also in good condition with no rips or tears that I could see bar a few openings along the seat seams as the leather has dried


With the important bit


The boot floor was also in remarkably good condition with only minor surface rust



Last check was whether the numbers on the V5 all matched with the bulkhead and engine, suffice to say they did.

Throughout the whole time I was sending images to the whatsapp chat that had been set up. With most areas now inspected as much as I could given the position of the car, and the rain now getting rather heavy, I retreated back to my car for a phone call to Chris & Chris to see what the next move was going to be...

 

My sincere apologies for finding an interesting diversion from your normal duties and yes its all my fault - I suppose Mrs toomanyprojects will take me to task next time she sees me or worse still have me complete your scheduled gardening duties 

You have no idea... As penance I may be forced to attend an equine-related activity at the weekend   

The garden duties have been less frequent thanks to the weather of the great english summer not exactly being conducive to outdoor activity. I've been doing bits in the eves when weather/work allows so progress is still being made, but I do need a clear day just to sort the rest of the timber work and outdoor kitchen.

The workshop with ramp has been cleared for temporary storage, the trailer hooked up and straps put in the boot, lastly neighbours recruited to form part of an extraction team, so I think we're all set... what could possibly go wrong...

More soon

Houses in the UK can be tiny in comparison to Oz /US / Canada - Our land prices are very expensive as is our build prices - A house that small - it looks like a 2 - 3 bedroom detached will be £300k + in that area - People will hide their car projects anywhere they can - normally shoehorned into the garden somehow and covered with a sheet when there's no room in the garage 

So rather belatedly, the story of extraction...

Having recruited a neighbour to assist with the promise of beers in the local, I hooked up the trailer and we headed down one even after work.

Thankfully the seller had already been busy on the strimming and fencing front, he'd also pumped up the, I believe original?!? tyres, so when we arrived it was simply a case of pushing it out... except it wasn't. Given the car had been raised and on shingle covered area it was going nowhere with manpower alone.

Thankfully I'd come prepared and it was out with the tow rope


There was a minor bit of drama in that when on full lock one of the driveshafts appeared to make a bid for freedom, thankfully there was a jack to hand and we managed to get it up in the air to take a look


subsequently all sorted and the car rolled back for loading


and with relatively no drama at all using the winch we were soon on trailer



and a short while later, unloaded and in the workshop




Interior needs a bit of a tidy, but all things considered is in remarkably good condition



Windows are also all original


and wearing the all important lettering



The plates are also original dealer issue I think



I'll do a few little bits to tidy things. Otherwise discussions are ongoing with regards to shipping it to the other side of the world...

More soon

Yup clear glass all round, makes a nice change I think. The spoiler may well have been, would need to go check to be sure.


In other news, SWMBO pointed out that with the current visitor to the workshop, asides the 1940's, we have a car from every decade in residence. I think she's getting ideas...

No room at the inn at present... although plans are afoot.

Having a swap around then are we?