Audi Quattro Concept

As part of a design competition held amongst Audi designers to create a model that celebrates 3o years since the introduction of the original Quattro, the winning concept shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is in my opinion, rather exciting. Based on a shortened and lightened Audi A5 platform, the Quattro Concept displays very purposeful looks highly reminiscent of the homologated SWB versions.

Located up front, under the bonnet the Quattro Concept uses a modified version of the 2.5-litre, five cylinder turbocharged engine normally found in the TT RS- an award winning powerplant with huge reserves of torque.

If the 4WD Quattro Concept ever made it into production my guess would be that it would be priced somewhere around the entry level Porsche 911 mark, ,the R8 maintaining flagshiop status.

NSU TT/TTS

First seen in 1967 the compact NSU TT was slightly larger than the out going Prinz but nevertheless lightweight and very well engineered. The air-cooled, all alloy 1177cc in-line four cylinder chain driven OHC engine producing 70 bhp positioned over the back wheels was advanced for its day.

Weighing only 700kg and with excellent traction thanks to all independent suspension, the TT became a hit with enthusiasts and keen drivers. The smaller capacity, higher revving 996cc TTS became a successful racer in the under 1 litre class and with simple modifications can be made to produce over 100bhp. Impressive today, even more so thirty years ago!

Useful as a wide arched hill climb car or at auto tests the TT is still campaigned as a racer, scaring Minis and Hillman Imps all over Europe. The NSU brand was eventually bought out by VW and merged with Auto Union to create Audi. The rear engined TT model was phased out in 1973 to make way for more profitable Audi and VW models whilst reducing the competition for the VW Beetle.

As a hill climb or sprint car the TT was nimble, light and powerful for it's class. Easily recognisable, owners set engine covers slightly ajar to improve cooling, watch the video links below to find out for yourself!

Source:Stefan's NSU TT/TTS , Retro Scene

1954 Clubman's TT Norton 350 International

These images show Isle of Man road racer Geoff Tanner re-united with his 1954 Clubman's TT Norton 350 for the feature in issue 138 of Classic Racer magazine in the Summer of 2009. Geoff finished 5th at a race speed of 81.54 mph for four laps of the 37 mile TT Mountain course with a fastest lap of 83mph. The first Norton home, Geoffs lap was the fastest set by a 350cc Norton in the entire Clubman's races.

He was delighted to see the bike in all its former glory, having not seen it in over 50 years! Accurately restored by Bernie Allen, the bike now runs beautifully and sounds fantastic through it's open pipe. Once sat on the bike, Geoff looked totally at home. Sporting a fixed grin whilst blipping the throttle and sounding like a true racer, he commented that he remembered it to be "Bloody slow!".

Essentially road bikes the Clubman's specification allowed only very minor race upgrades. Lights, silencer and centre stand were deleted whilst the addition of a fly screen, a set of Manx mudguards and seat were added. Rear-set foot rests completed the transformation from road bike to racer.

The following year in 1955 Geoff went on to win the Manx Grand Prix in both 350 and 500 classes cementing his talent as a racer. He also competed as part of the Continental Circus in Europe.