Yahoo Autos Junkyard Gem: 1980 Audi 5000
The first Audi model sold in the United States was the first-generation 100, which made its debut here as a 1970 model and remained available through 1977. For the 1978 model year, the second-generation 100 appeared in North American Audi dealerships, and its model name on this side of the Atlantic was 50 times more impressive: the 5000. Today's Junkyard Gem is one of those early 5000s, found in a self-service wrecking yard in the shadow of Pikes Peak.
The boxy second-generation 5000 was available in the United States through 1983, after which it was replaced by its sleek C3 successor and its wind-cheating curves and flush glass. While coupe and hatchback versions were available elsewhere, all the 1978-1983 C2 5000s sold here were four-door sedans.
This car's MSRP was $10,975 with gasoline engine and automatic transmission. That's about $43,402 in 2023 dollars, placing the 1980 Audi 5000 in about the same price region as the similarly-sized BMW 320i ($11,810), Volvo 264 GL ($11,670), Toyota Cressida sedan ($9,199) and Saab 900 GLE ($10,690).
This 2.1-liter SOHC straight-five was rated at 100 horsepower and 110 pound-feet, quite a bit less than its dirtier-running European counterparts.
A 130-horse turbocharged version of this engine was available in the 1980 5000, as well as a 2.0-liter diesel I5 rated at 67 horsepower.
