SMART MONEY
80s motor bought for less than £4k by Wheeler Dealers’ host Mike Brewer in classic episode now worth eye-watering amount
The motor has become a cult favourite among petrolheads
AN ICONIC motor that Wheeler Dealers' star Mike Brewer once bought for less than £4,000 is now worth an eye-watering amount.
Back in 2009, the much-loved host of the car restoration show picked up an Audi Quattro for just £3,800.
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On the classic episode, the Wheeler Dealer - alongside his co-host at the time Edd China - bought a legendary 1986 Quattro after the pair set themselves a budget of just £5,000 to buy and restore it.
The Quattro has become a cult favourite among petrolheads - not least because of its brilliance on the world rally stage in the 1980s.
Indeed, the Quattro was the first car to use four-wheel drive in competition rallying.
Mike and Edd were able to find an example of the 80s motor for a bargain price, but it required a few minor tweaks before it was ready to be sold on for a profit.
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These included a repair job to the seating frame to go along with replacement seats, new wheel bearings, and a lick of paint to the bumpers.
Perhaps the biggest issue was with the clutch reservoir, which also needed to be replaced.
Audi Quattro specs
Production: 1980–1991
Gearbox: 5 Speed
Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive
Power: 197 bhp
Top Speed: 138 mph
Overall, the repairs to the Quattro cost the duo just £768, which they managed to get back with ease after selling it on at the end of the episode for £5,450 - representing a profit of £882.
However, just 15 years on from the episode, the Quattro has become a much sought-after set of wheels for collectors and they've become mightily expensive to pick up.
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For example, a 1988 model website is up for sale for a shocking £47,750.
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Few cars have seen such a huge leap in value in the same time period - and it's perhaps the biggest price rise on a Wheeler Dealers' car seen since the show started.
Fans of the show would've recently seen Mike - and his newest co-host Marc Priestley - pick up the most expensive car they've ever bought.
In the episode, the pair headed off to Germany to pick up an iconic 1980's car worth £60,000.
And this comes after Mike recently showed off a classic motor he found that was once the "ultimate in luxury" but is now left "clinging on for life".
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