One to Buy: 1986 Audi C3 5000 CS Quattro 'World Speed Record'
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Launched at the Paris Motor Show in September 1982, the C3 was Audi’s third iteration of its executive-sized 100 model. Also offered in more upmarket 200 trim and sold as the 5000 in the United States, the C3 was most famously characterised by its highly aerodynamic styling which gave an edge over rival models in terms of top speed and fuel efficiency.
To generate some extra publicity in the US, Audi elected to embark on a speed record programme using the range-topping 5000 CS Quattro. For this, the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama was booked for March 1986 and Bobby Unser recruited to take the wheel.
The car used by Unser is the one depicted here, which will be going under the hammer at RM Sotheby’s sale in Monterey sheduled for August 13th-15th.
Extensively modified, much attention was paid to aerodynamic refinement; corners and edges were smoothed off and ride height dropped by 40mm simultaneously lowering the centre of gravity. Weight-saving was also a key consideration and, to this end, a mix of aluminium and Kevlar panels replaced the standard steel items. With Plexiglas replacing most of the windows and many of the cockpit’s creature comforts discarded, weight was reduced to just 1072kg.
In the engine bay was the car’s real party piece: a re-positioned, radically tuned and strengthened 650bhp 2.2-litre turbocharged Inline 5. Based around a reinforced block and uprated 25 valve head, Audi fitted titanium pistons and connecting rods, new high-flow injectors, an uprated turbo, dry-sump lubrication a superior cooling system.
On March 24th 1986, three-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser lapped Talladega in 46 seconds to set a new World Speed Record for an all-wheel drive car of 332km/h (206.3mph), one of 16 new benchmarks established by Audi during the session.
