The primary Audi mannequin offered in the USA was the first-generation 100, which made its debut right here as a 1970 mannequin and remained out there by means of 1977. For the 1978 mannequin yr, the second-generation 100 appeared in North American Audi dealerships, and its mannequin title on this aspect of the Atlantic was 50 occasions extra spectacular: the 5000. Immediately’s Junkyard Gem is a kind of early 5000s, present in a self-service wrecking yard within the shadow of Pikes Peak.
The boxy second-generation 5000 was out there in the USA by means of 1983, after which it was changed by its smooth C3 successor and its wind-cheating curves and flush glass. Whereas coupe and hatchback variations had been out there elsewhere, all of the 1978-1983 C2 5000s offered right here had been four-door sedans.
This automobile’s MSRP was $10,975 with gasoline engine and computerized transmission. That is about $43,402 in 2023 {dollars}, putting the 1980 Audi 5000 in about the identical worth area because the similarly-sized BMW 320i ($11,810), Volvo 264 GL ($11,670), Toyota Cressida sedan ($9,199) and Saab 900 GLE ($10,690).
This 2.1-liter SOHC straight-five was rated at 100 horsepower and 110 pound-feet, fairly a bit lower than its dirtier-running European counterparts.
A 130-horse turbocharged model of this engine was out there within the 1980 5000, in addition to a 2.0-liter diesel I5 rated at 67 horsepower.
Transmission decisions had been the bottom five-speed handbook and a three-speed computerized.
See that Apply foot brake when participating Drive or Reverse decal, utilized a bit crookedly to the shifter bezel? That is the results of the “unintended acceleration” fiasco that despatched American Audi gross sales into the bathroom starting with the 1986 “60 Minutes” piece and persevering with nicely into the Nineties. Ford had needed to apply comparable decals to the dashes of 23 million automatic-equipped 1966-1980 automobiles, earlier within the Eighties, however the Ford “Park-to-Reverse” defects did not torpedo gross sales.
On account of the dangerous publicity (which resulted in a catastrophic downturn in gross sales for all Audi fashions right here, not simply slushbox-equipped 5000s), the 4000 received the European-market 80 title for 1988, whereas the 5000 received the 100 designation right here for 1989.
This automobile was in fine condition for its age, and the odometer reveals that it traveled simply 133k miles throughout its 43 years of service.
These automobiles aren’t value a lot even when in very good operating situation, so this one did not stand a lot likelihood of rescue as soon as it entered the junkyard ecosystem.
Makes it straightforward to dwell the great life underneath at present’s circumstances, which is a really Malaise Period factor to say.
A practical masterpiece and but one of the luxurious automobiles ever to return out of Germany.
