1997 Audi 2.8 Cabriolet – Auction Car of the Week

Chopping the lid off a car is a delicate affair, one that is oh so easy to get wrong. And we’re not talking about budding home car builders taking an angle grinder to a Capri, here. No, it’s hard work for manufacturers, too. And they don’t always get it right. Some convertibles look all weird and out of balance. Awkward, you might say. Some though, with a dose of thought and plenty of proper engineering are nothing short of perfection. A case in point would be the Audi 2.8 Cabriolet we have here. Yes, it’s based on the coupe, which is in turn based on the saloon, but nothing of those foundation models remains. Instead, the Audi Cabriolet is a sleek, smooth, well-cut car. So much so that it still cuts a dash today, twenty-five years later. We wish we could say the same for ourselves.

We love the Audi Cabriolet, especially with the silky smooth 2.8 V6 fitted here. It’s such a handsome car. This Audi 2.8 Cabriolet, however, is perhaps better than the others thanks to the frankly glorious spec in which it was ordered. Sure, you could have one in a boring colour, with black seats, small wheels and a little engine. But where’s the fun in that? In fact, fun is the thing a convertible should be, from bumper to bumper. That’s why we like the spec on offer here. This Audi 2.8 Cabriolet is loud and unapologetic in its appearance.

First, we have the exterior. Audi’s stunning pearlescent white. Normal white would look good, sure, but this shimmering hue brings an extra layer of depth to the car’s look. It’s also the same colour that select UR Quattros wore so it has extra cool points there. Of course, being as old as it is, this one has some small imperfections and some touched in chips, but that’s to be expected, and none of them detract from the overall stunning visual this car offers. Pair this with bigger, late-model alloy wheels and you have a winner. The sides of the Audi 2.8 Cabriolet are tall and and heavy, so the early smaller wheels look lost. These wheels, however, suit it perfectly and balance it out.

Then there’s the interior. A sea of red leather, this is a car that you’re going to love being in. Red leather isn’t for the shy and retiring sort, but that’s their loss. We love it, it’s a celebration of just how great a leather interior can be. Sure, black or cream might have been more subdued, but it would have also been boring. And this car isn’t boring. The seats are also heated, so you can drive this cabriolet all year round, and be toasty warm as you do. Everything works, too. The car was factory equipped with gauges for everything, the leather steering wheel is in excellent order, the black contrasting carpets are fantastic and there is even a modern Pioneer stereo for those summer tunes. There’s a bit of wear on the driver seat, but nothing to worry about. Broken in rather than… broken.

As for the mechanical stuff, this Audi is a 2.8 V6, and it’s covered a mere 95,000 miles over the course of two and a half decades. It comes with stacks of history, it’s been serviced regularly (the last being 3,000 miles ago) and everything works as it should. The engine is mated to a slick automatic transmission that, again, performs as intended. It’s got a turn of speed if you want it, but ultimately, this car is a relaxing, minimal effort cruiser – just as any convertible should be.

If you’ve not already gone off searching for the ‘bid’ button, you can find it by looking at the listing for this 1997 Audi 2.8 Cabriolet and when you do, you’ll be glad. These cars have a passionate following, they have stood the test of time and this one in particular is a gem thanks to the surely unique specification. If you want to make the most of the sunny summer weather, there can be few better ways to do so than behind the wheel of this very special Audi.