Projects

IN-NP 50 Rally Car Project

Introduction

We were looking for a project to celebrate 25 years of the legendary Audi quattro. We finally decided to recreate the first car to compete in a World Championship event the renowned IN NP 50.The car made it’s debut on January 24th 1981. The venue was the opening round at Monte Carlo. The changeable conditions revealed the cars potential, shocking the rest of the field with it’s pace. By the end of the second stage it was 2m 47s ahead of the rest of the two wheel driven field.

By the time they entered Monaco after six stages Mikkola had a six minute advantage over his rivals. Several alternator belt failures dropped him 13 minutes. Mikkola subsequently made a mistake and hit a low bridge parapet knocking off a wheel. The car struggled back to service and the Audi team made repairs.

Mikkola was once again catching the leaders when he suffered brake failure, probably due to the previous incident, at nearly 100 mph. Luckily the car was on an uphill section when it finally came to rest against a rock face.

Despite this disappointing conclusion to their first event, Mikkola had lead the first 10 stages and set more fastest times than the eventual winner. The rally world was now waiting for Audi’s first championship not debating if it would ever happen.

The Build

We needed to see a real works car so that we get the details on our quattro exactly right. We have to thank David Sutton and John O’Connor at Historic Motorsport for the loan of LYV 4 X. This car was an original car which competed successfully in the British Championship and RAC Rally. The car is probably the most photographed rally car of all time. It was driven by Stig Blomquist, Malcolm Wilson and Chris Lord. It took us the best part of three months to photograph and analyse every detail.

Our car started life with a rust free 1981 shell from Bahrain. The car was stripped and painted in Audi Sport colours. All of the decals were recreated by our sign writer. If you would like a set please contact us for details!

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The body shell was modified. We fitted our fibre glass bumpers. Note how the lights are all on separate brackets and the roll cage is identical in layout to the original. We recreated the original cage in steel for obvious reasons.
The body shell was modified. We fitted our fibre glass bumpers. Note how the lights are all on separate brackets and the roll cage is identical in layout to the original. We recreated the original cage in steel for obvious reasons.
The engine and gearbox installed. Note front grill is slightly proud. Different location for alternator.
The engine and gearbox installed. Note front grill is slightly proud. Different location for alternator.
We fabricated an aluminium dashboard as per the original rally quattro. We then set about sourcing the various VDO gauges used in the original.
We fabricated an aluminium dashboard as per the original rally quattro. We then set about sourcing the various VDO gauges used in the original.
Layout of gauges as per the original car.
Layout of gauges as per the original car.
Note the 1997 Audi 80 switches and Volkswagen Beetle light switches used. Clearly the works Audi team had access to all of the groups production facilities.
Note the 1997 Audi 80 switches and Volkswagen Beetle light switches used. Clearly the works Audi team had access to all of the groups production facilities.
Our next thank you has to go to Tim Clarke for creating a custom loom for the car. Without his help this task would have been nigh on impossible.
Our next thank you has to go to Tim Clarke for creating a custom loom for the car. Without his help this task would have been nigh on impossible.
The final result as you can see is exactly as per the original. The interior door trim was made for us by Mrs Malinda White, mother of Jeff our Head Technician. As you can see she did a fantastic job!
The final result as you can see is exactly as per the original. The interior door trim was made for us by Mrs Malinda White, mother of Jeff our Head Technician. As you can see she did a fantastic job!
The car was fitted with new Recaro seats which are very close to the original. We also found watching a recently released DVD of the event that the car was fitted with blue seat belts not red!
The car was fitted with new Recaro seats which are very close to the original. We also found watching a recently released DVD of the event that the car was fitted with blue seat belts not red!
The boot of the quattro was a major junction for all the fluids in the car. Note that the car was equipped with two fuel pumps, and a dry sump catchment tank which also supplies the boot mounted oil cooler.
The boot of the quattro was a major junction for all the fluids in the car. Note that the car was equipped with two fuel pumps, and a dry sump catchment tank which also supplies the boot mounted oil cooler.
The aluminium fuel tank was custom fabricated shown here waiting to be installed.
The aluminium fuel tank was custom fabricated shown here waiting to be installed.
The tank just fits into the available space.
The tank just fits into the available space.
The finished article, complete with battery, filters, spare wheel holder and braided hoses.
The finished article, complete with battery, filters, spare wheel holder and braided hoses.
Oil cooler fitted with new raised boot spoiler. We have A2 spoilers for sale (slightly taller than the one shown). We can supply oil cooler to match.
Oil cooler fitted with new raised boot spoiler. We have A2 spoilers for sale (slightly taller than the one shown). We can supply oil cooler to match.
Final stages including installation of period Carrello lights. Thanks to Peter Noad, Audi Driver and Volkswagen Driver journalist for donating these.
Final stages including installation of period Carrello lights. Thanks to Peter Noad, Audi Driver and Volkswagen Driver journalist for donating these.

Note at various times on the Monte Carlo event, the car appeared on both 8″ Ronal wheels in ‘Sparkle’ silver not the normal Zermatt and Fuch forged 7″ magnesium wheels. The wheels shown are original well worn ‘works’ wheels.

The car now resides in our reception.
The car now resides in our reception.

This car has been featured in a number of articles. It is also set to appear in the new Total Audi Magazine and Audi Driver. It is also eligible to appear at the Slowly Sideways events. It was at the 2005 Rally Car Day at Castle Combe and is set to make appearances at future events.

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