Let’s face it. Buying a real Audi rally car is an expensive thing to consider. There aren’t many of them, and at this point anyone who has one knows exactly what it is and what it’s worth. Lucky for anyone seeking one then that a fair number of rally car replicas have been built over the years.
Like anything in the replica world, quality can and does vary. When you’re talking coupes, the basis car may also vary in that they could be built on anything from an original ur quattro to a lesser non-turbocharged Coupe quattro… not that it matters much because so many components are removed that there wouldn’t be much of any difference in the shell itself, though in theory that **could** affect resale.
Same goes for short wheelbase cars. It’s safe to say that none of these have been built from a real Sport quattro, meaning that they had to be shortened. Since the Sport quattro versions used the 80 quattro’s more upright windshield, they likely had to work with two different donor candidates – a coupe and a sedan. Occasionally you see coupes made that retained the more raked Coupe windshield, though I won’t be including any here.
As I watch the European market in particular, I see these cars coming available and am most curious about them. Not just rally car builds from Audi are available mind you, though for the purposes of this website that’s what I’m focusing on here. I’m also skipping cars with road car interiors because liveries and rally lights don’t make a rally car.
Worth mentioning, I’m not a subject matter expert on rally car builds – replica or otherwise. I’m just here to show you what I’ve found, and bring your attention to some of these cars should that be something you also find yourself interested in perusing.
With that, let’s get started. I’ll list them from most to least expensive, plus some basic details.
What: 1986 Audi quattro
Replicates: Sport quattro S1 E2 Group B Rally
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 1,000 km
Price: € 315,000
Location: Bettels Performance GmbH, Northeim, Germany
Link: AutoScout24.de
Why: This particular car hat tips the Pike’s Peak Hillclimb, paying tribute to Walter Röhrl’s 1987-spec entry. Unlike the other listing from Bettels in this story, this one is a specific car that’s been listed on consignment for the current owner. The comprehensive listing says it was built from an Audi 80 sedan chassis (though listed as a 1986 quattro for the marketplace website). The list of components from the ad is quite comprehensive and more than this story allows, so make sure to check that out. I will note though, the car is said to boast 550 hp and 580 NM of torque, with a redline of 8,800 rpm. I bet it wails.
What: 1985 Audi quattro
Replicates: Sport quattro S1 E2 Group B
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 10,000 km
Price: € 349,000
Location: Private Party, Nessetal, Germany
Link: AutoScout24.de
Why: There aren’t many details in this private party listing, though it does confirm the car was built by Schauf-Motorsport according to homologation sheet with TÜV approval and road approval.
What: 1986 Audi quattro
Replicates: Sport quattro S1 E2 Pike’s Peak
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 5.500 km
Price: € 330,000
Location: Bettels Performance GmbH, Northeim, Germany
Link: AutoScout24.de
Why: You might think listing a photo of a car in mid air jump is counterintuitive to selling a car, though it’s probably worth reading the details here. The listing has a ton of specifics, which is what you’d probably expect from a shop that is stating they’ll build you your own car versus trying to sell you that flying E2 jumping for your love.
What: 1984 Audi quattro
Replicates: Sport quattro S1 E1 Group B Rally
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 3,000 km
Price: € 299,000
Location: Private Party, Nessetal, Germany
Link: AutoScout24.de
Why: Built as an early Sport quattro S1 Group B, here listed as an “E1” (i.e., prior to the E2 with its more pronounced wings and aerodynamic aids, this car appears to be built as a tribute to Walter Röhrl’s 1985 Rally Monte Carlo entry. Not much description comes with the listing beyond a mention that it is “built according to homologation by Schaufel-Motorsport”. Otherwise, the listing instructs you to call for more details.
What: 1983 Audi quattro
Replicates: quattro N671 Group B Rally
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 1,000 km
Price: € 295,000
Location: Garage du Panorama, Cabris, France
Link: AutoScout24.de
Why: Is it real or a replica? That’s probably up for interpretation but it probably falls on the more real side. The car you see here is one of just 59 built for competition by the factory. It began in 1983 as a Group 4 and saw competition at some rallies in France, though likely not as an Audi Sport factory team car based on the description. It’s currently built to N671 homologation Group B specification, and boasts factory competition components including a magnesium 6-speed gearbox. Considerable documentation comes with the car and it’s been signed by Mouton, Blomqvist, Röhrl and Roland Gumpert.
What: 1984 Audi quattro
Replicates: quattro Group B Rally
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 1,000 km
Price: € 30.100
Location: Private Party, Sarvvik, Finland
Link: Mobile.de
Why: Another car with question of real or replica? No doubt a car is worth more when it uses real Audi Sport components as this one appears to do. The ad also states that it is road registered in Finland and has a FIVA/SAHK classic rally car certificate of origin which is only made eligible for cars with original rally history. However, it doesn’t go into great detail of what that original history is. It is built to long-wheelbase quattro Group B specification and wears the basic HB Audi Team yellow livery, though doesn’t appear to pay tribute to any specific rally.
What: 1985 Audi quattro
Replicates: Sport quattro S1 E2 Group B Rally
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 2,165 km
Price: € 250,000
Location: M.S. Car Company, Kontich, Belgium
Link: AutoScout24.de
Why: The S1 E2 is the most extreme of the Group B era cars. This recreation replicates the livery that would have been used at San Remo. Signed by Walter Röhrl, this car is extensively documented and boasts 465 hp.
What: Basis Unknown
Replicates: Sport quattro S1 E1 Group B Rally
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 500 km
Price: € 195,000
Location: Vintage & Racing Services, Beauvechain, Belgium
Link: RacecarsDirect.com
Why: This car is a bit more of a recreation than exactingly true to Group B era standards that would have governed its earlier Sport quattro S1 focus. For instance, it uses a later 6-speed 01E transmission. Nevertheless, it does use some pretty serious hardware and looks great. The ad is considerably details, mentioning wear such as some cracking in the fiberglass bodywork and that the shell seats have expired and would need replacing if you plan to use the car in FIA or competition events.
What: quattro donor, model year not disclosed
Replicates: quattro Rally, Group 4, 1981 specification
VIN: unknown
Mileage: unknown
Price: € 169,900
Location: Koskin Import, Valkeakoski, Finland
Link: RacecarsDirect.com
Why: This car, while not a replica to a car that raced in period, is a replica in that it’s based on a street car donor fitted with FIA homologated parts to Gr4 FIA 671 specification, including components like Pierburg injection, correct gear ratios and stainless-steel exhaust system. The build took eight years to complete. It’s road registered in Finland and has an FIA passport issued on 01/02/2023 and valid until the end of 2033. Though it appears competition was the goal of the build, this car has not yet seen competition use.
What: 1984 Audi quattro
Replicates: quattro Rally, Group 4, 1981 RAC Lombard Rally, Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz
VIN: unknown
Mileage: 728 km
Price: € 140,000
Location: M.S. Car Company, Kontich, Belgium
Link: AutoScout24.de
Why: Sport quattros and especially the S1 E2 are the most extreme, but I’d argue the Group 4 is more pure. This was the earliest rule set that the rally quattro was homologated to, and is most easily identified by the original fender design with riveted arch flares overtop. This car shows Lombard Rally markings and appears to be a replica of the Hannu Mikkola car from 1981.