Audi 80 (1986) – Into the Wild

Where the Audi A4 has evolved very subtly for generations, the transition from one generation to the next in its predecessor was once much more shocking. In 1986 Audi presented the B3 generation of the 80 and it broke radically with the angular shapes of its predecessor. For its time, the 80 was designed in a very modern way, which is why it became a middle class car that was received quite positively in the Netherlands. Anyone who experienced the 80s and 90s will undoubtedly remember that you saw them quite a lot back then. Today it is different. Many have disappeared abroad in the autumn of their lives and nowadays an 80 is quite a spot to reflect on.

In this case we are also dealing with a very ‘early’ one, because it dates from 1986, the introduction year. We thank AutoWeek forum member Citroootje for sharing these photos on our forum. We are dealing here with an 80 that was not delivered new in the Netherlands, but was put on a Dutch registration in 2011. The technical data also betray the other origin, because it is one with a 1.6 and that was not available here in the beginning. The 71 hp strong four-cylinder engine (still with carburetor) was only added later at the bottom of the range, with us it started in 1986 with the 1.8.

It is therefore a nice modest copy, although the appearance might not immediately suggest that. The painted bumpers are not original and that also applies to the clear indicators at the front and possibly also the spoiler on the tailgate. He can have it, anyway. We are already happy that there are still beautifully modest hubcaps on it. What a contrast to today’s Audi.

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