25 years
ago,
Audi launched to the public at the Geneva Auto Salon a
revolutionary concept that was to change the face of
motoring forever. This was, of course, the Audi quattro
and the concept of permanent four wheel drive for the
none- tractor owning motorists.
Following on the success from this, and the national -and
international-
success, in the early- mid 80's Audi launched in it's
home country a slightly pepped up version for the
"average" family man- the Audi 80 GTE.
Available in both two-and four- door variants, this was a
huge success in terms of sales. Powered by the 1.8 DZ
engine, (which initially started as a 1.6 litre unit
which had been developed further) this was to form the
basis of the up and coming Golf GTI... platform sharing
is not some new fad found in the latest
VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat units..... (The engine is often
referred to as the Golf GTI lump, although it was first
seen in an Audi)
The Audi
80 GTE even had it's fair share of competition entries-
one was piloted in the UK by non other than Sir Stirling
Moss.......
The series 2 Audi 80 Sport has a huge following;
particularly on this website. Broken down into two
categories; pre facelift (from 1983- 1984) and post
facelift (1985- 1986) The UK only officially had the four
door variant imported (real pity!)- the 2 door was based
on the saloon, and the UK importers at the time were keen
to push the Coupe in 2 door format.
To tell the difference between the pre and post
facelifted models is easy:
| Early Models |
Later Models |
| Smaller
boot- opens flush with top of rear wings |
Larger Boot, opens to just above
bumper top level |
| Rear
lights- one piece each side |
Some lights integrated into boot
lid |
| Rear
Spoiler- black |
Rear spoiler colour coded |
| Smaller
front disks up front (solid) |
front disks- vented |
| 'Flat'
headlamps, indicators and grille |
Sloping headlamps, indicators and
grille |
| Dashboard
is more square- speakers appear to be in pods on
the dash |
More rounded dash |
| White
backlit instruments |
Red/ orange backlit instruments |
| Striped
interior |
Tweed style interior |
| "Cookie
Cutter" style alloys |
Ronal R8 multi spoke alloy wheels |

Earlier models have
a "flat" front grille and headlamp arrangement-
the later are more at an angle (better aerodynamics?)-
and the boot. On the earlier models, the rear lights are
one piece each side, and the boot lid opens to a flat
ledge above the rear lights. On the later style, the
reverse lights are part of the boot lid assembly, and
part of the boot lid lifts up so access is available just
above the bumper......
Early
examples came in Alpine White, Metallic Black or Zermatt
silver (My 2nd Audi, a facelift 80 Sport was Zermatt)
The side stickers, rear bootlid sticker and window
stickers were fitted by dealerships, as this was a UK
only variant. Factory fitted black boot spoiler and 6x14
inch alloy wheels complete the sporting character of the
car. These specifications were added to over the life of
the car; different rubbing stripes on the doors,
additional colours, different interior trim, etc.- and
different alloy wheels to the Ronals seen on this
example.

So how did I end up with the car?
My current daily
hack (series 3 90 quattro) had failed the MOT on a few
more items than expected, and suitable replacement(s)
have not yet been located. Audi Owners Club member, and audifans.net forum moderator Gavin Dunn (gavs20v) had this example available.
This involved Gav picking me up from Birmingham (after a
botched/ mid journey cancelled collection from Bristol)
and a trip back down to Canterbury....

Bearing in mind this is a 21 year old car
(!), it is in remarkably good condition. It still has the
original stickers in the boot and boot lid. Finished in
metallic black, it has the optional extra factory fitted
tilt/ slide sunroof, as well as the mandatory additional
gauges in the lower centre console. There is small damage
to the panels- a slight bow in the bonnet where someone
has sat- the only rust is at the bottom of the 'A'
pillar, for example. The boot floor and sills (a common
problem area for rust, etc) are still intact and in good
condition. the interior has worn exceptionally well, as
the side bolster on the drivers seat is still intact, and
there is no major wear to the fabric. The car even came
with a genuine paint touch up stick- this will come in
handy for future use. There was a hole in the middle
exhaust box- something which took the combined efforts of
Gav and Ben (aka roadkill) a couple of hours to sort
(including obtaining new clamps, etc.), a quick wash with
a hose pipe (Gav had used it as a tractor), and the
fitting of the rear quarter glass window (took myself and
Gav around half an hour or so to fit) and the car was
ready to roll and make the 200 mile journey back home.

Initial Jobs that need attention (although none urgent):
check tyres-
possibly slow puncture on front. also check for wear- not
much grip on the front when accelerating............ ;)
Source drivers side door mirror correct glass (wrong
shape)
Replace (broken) radio aerial
Grease guides and cables for factory fit sunroof
Obtain replacement door handles and security plates
(front already been victim to attempted screwdriver
damage)
Re-fit central additional instruments- and get the lights
working on them
Check the connections for the main instrument binnacle
display
Check "erratic" (tempramental) odometer (Speedo
works ok) (I think it may be female)
Treat the single rust spot on the car (bottom of A
pillar, drivers side)
Give engine a service (oil/ filter/ plugs)
Investigate wipers (non return if turned off)
Next time,
we'll tell you how we fitted the rear quarter light
window, with the string, a pair of screwdrivers, some
washing up liquid, and 2 pairs of hands (and a lot of
swearing!)
I'll update you on progress in the next few weeks.
Andy
Forum on this project
Series 2 Audi 80 forum
Gallery Images
Thanks to this project's sponsors and instigators:
|
| Displacement |
1781cc |
| Bore/ Stroke |
81.0
x 86.4mm |
| Output |
112bhp/ 82kw
@ 5,800rpm |
| Max. Torque |
118lb
ft
@ 3,500rpm |
Compression
Ratio |
10.0:1 |
Inlet Valve
Diameter |
40.0mm |
Exhaust valve
Diameter |
33.0mm |
Valve
timing (at 1mm lift,
zero clearance): |
| inlet opens |
6deg BTDC |
| inlet closes |
49deg
ABDC |
| exhaust opens |
45deg BBDC |
| exhaust closes |
8deg
ATDC |
| Ignition timing |
6deg =+/-
1 deg BTDC |
| Fuel system |
Bosch
K-Jetronic |
| Clutch diameter |
200mm |
| Gear
Ratios |
| 1st |
3.455 |
| 2nd |
1.944 |
| 3rd |
1.286 |
| 4th |
0.969 |
| 5th |
0.800 |
| Final Drive
Ratio |
4.111 |
Road Speed @
1,000 rpm in top gear |
21.09mph
33.75kph |
| Brakes |
| Front (early) |
239mm
solid 12mm disk |
| Front (after
07/84) |
vented
239mm |
| Rear (drums) |
200mm x 40mm |
| Suspension |
| Front |
Macpherson struts,
anti roll bar |
| Rear |
Torsion
Beam |
| Standard wheel size |
6J x 14 |
| Standard tyre
size |
185/60
x14 |
| Length |
4383mm |
| Width |
1682mm |
| Height |
1363mm |
| Track- front |
1400mm |
| Track- rear |
1420mm |
| Minimum ground
clearance |
120mm |
| Turning Circle |
10.7m (35.1ft) |
| Unladen Weight |
980kg |
| Maximum gross weight |
1440kg |
| Maximum payload |
460kg |
| Maximum trailer weight |
| braked |
1200kg |
| unbraked |
520kg |
| Maximum speed |
120mph |
| 0-50 |
7.0 seconds |
| 0-60 |
9.5
seconds |
| 0-70 |
12.5 seconds |
| 30-50mph (3rd
gear) |
4.6
seconds |
| 30-50mph (4th gear) |
7.0 seconds |
| 50-70mph (4th
gear) |
6.3
seconds |
| 50-70mph (5th gear) |
8.2 seconds |
| Overall fuel
consumption |
37.2mpg |
| Urban Cycle |
25.9mpg |
| Constant 56mph
(90kmh) |
45.6mpg |
| constant 70mph (120kmh) |
34.9mpg |
| Fuel Type |
98
RON |
| Fuel Tank Capacity |
68 litres |
| Production Run |
April
'83- July '86 |
| Engine Code |
DZ |
|