Back in 1994, Diana, Princess of Wales, set a very large cat among the royal pigeons by taking delivery of a Santorini Blue Audi 80 Cabriolet. The first time the Royal Family had owned a car supplied by the German brand, albeit a relationship that continues to this day.
It may not have been a Jaguar XJS, but the Audi was Diana’s favourite car and her regular transport, leading to a huge upsurge in sales for the soft-top model, which was actually due for replacement. Indeed, as a result of its sales resurgence, Audi kept the ragtop model in production for a further six years after the Audi A4 replaced the 80 saloon, changing the name form the 80 Cabriolet to simply ‘Audi Cabriolet’ in 1996 to distinguish it from the more modern saloon.
This one is such a car – a 1998 model that’s an 80 but not officially an 80 – and it’s the exact same colour as the one owned by Princess Di. It’s been loved and cared for during most of its life and is offered for sale in original, unrestored condition.
S370 WEX was supplied new in Norfolk in 1998 (no, not to Sandringham) and moved to Greater London at around three years old, where it remained until a couple of years ago when the existing owner acquired it.
The owner before him had looked after it for almost 15 years and there are stacks of receipts and invoices from when the car was in his care, showing regular servicing and repairs. It has never been restored – just properly looked after and maintained as necessary.
It has a UK V5C and will be supplied with a new MOT upon sale, the last certificate having only just expired.
It’s not perfect inside the cabin, but it’s still in pretty good order. It’s clean and tidy and everything works, but there’s wear to the driver’s side seat bolster and also on the top corner of the driver’s seat where it has been rubbed by the seat belt.
All of the controls work as they should and the original tape player has been replaced with a much more modern stereo with a USB input. The door cards and roof lining are in good order and all four electric windows still work.
The Santorini Blue paint is still in good order despite being the original finish and the body is very good overall, though there are a couple of very minor dents in one door and some stone chips on the bonnet – but nothing that jumps out and bites.
The alloy wheels have just been refurbished and painted gunmetal grey, which really suits the car. The roof is in decent order with no rips or tears and the car has never been welded.
THE MECHANICS
2.6 V6
Five-speed manual
Well-serviced and maintained
Recent new clutch
Drives well
The Audi’s 2.6-litre V6 is renowned for its smoothness and this one is no exception – it starts well and settles to a smooth idle, delivering effortless and refined power.
It has been well-maintained throughout its life and runs really well, with no apparent problems.
We were able to conduct a short test drive of the car and can confirm that it drives well, with no untoward noises from the steering, brakes or suspension.
As classic 1990s soft-tops go, the Audi 80 Cabriolet is among the best. A genuine four-seater with peerless build quality, it’s a classy and sophisticated car of its time, and a great one to look at and admire. This one is decent to drive, too, with a super-smooth V6 under the bonnet and plenty of provenance.
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1998 Audi Cabriolet
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