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SSS
Chevrolet Vega 2300 "X-Ray Cutaway" Art by Shusei Nagaoka
1971|American
THE RECORD · ARCHIVE PLAYER
MP4■ PAUSED
CLASS SSS
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1980 Audi Quattro: "The Groundbreaker"
Category|Automotive
Subcategory|European
Year|1980
Rarity Class|CLASS SSS
Archive Views|339
Heritage AdvertisementsAutomotive/AutomotiveCarsAudiQuattroAudi Quattro "Ur-Quattro" Technical Cutaway & First Drive
Medium/FormatMagazine Ad
Last updated: 18 May 2026
Historical Context
The Blueprint of a Revolution
"A very fast 4x4 that's as pleasing to look at as it is to drive."
This is a historic artifact from May 1980, marking the global debut of the Audi Quattro. Featuring a stunning technical cutaway illustration, it reveals the inner workings of the legendary 5-cylinder turbo engine and the permanent 4-wheel-drive system that would go on to dominate the World Rally Championship. A must-have for any serious automotive archivist.
Paper & Print Condition
Printed on a high-grade mechanical wood-pulp magazine stock characteristic of late 20th-century North American periodicals. The printing utilizes four-color offset lithography (CMYK). The technical cutaway rendering exhibits exceptional line-work preservation, allowing for the clear inspection of the Quattro's drivetrain components. The ink remains vibrant, particularly the "Mars Red" of the vehicle body. It shows light, uniform oxidative yellowing (patina) and minimal edge-wear, consistent with careful removal from a bound monthly issue.
2. Thai (ภาษาไทย)
Provenance & Rarity
This artifact originates from the May 1980 issue of Motor Trend magazine (North American edition). It was commissioned as one of the earliest technical deep-dives into the Audi Quattro, published just two months after the vehicle's world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1980.
Rarity & Valuation: Classified as High-Priority Archival Ephemera. As the primary documentation for the "Ur-Quattro" launch in the United States, original print specimens in this condition are increasingly scarce. It holds significant historical value for AWD (All-Wheel Drive) historians and Audi collectors, serving as the "birth certificate" for the performance AWD segment in luxury journalism.
Rarity & Condition Summary
Collector’s Grade Ephemera (Uncommon to Rare). The artifact is in excellent archival condition, retaining high-fidelity ink saturation—most notably the vibrant "Mars Red" of the vehicle body. It exhibits minimal organic degradation, characterized by a light, uniform oxidative patina and negligible edge-wear. Highly prized as a "birth certificate" document for the performance AWD segment.
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Video by: Audi USA
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