Audi 100--without the knowledge of the Volkswagen board.

Thankfully for both Audi and Volkswagen, Kraus did not share Nordhoff's view of the Audi 100's potential. The first Nordhoff learned of the secret project was the presentation of a production-ready prototype! And, after seeing the Audi 100 prototype, Nordhoff gave it the green light for production.

Shown to the press on 26 November 1968, the C1-platform Audi 100 was the company's largest car and spawned several variants, two- and four-door sedans, a station wagon, and the fastback. Named the 100 after its engine output of 100 p.s. at the time, it surpassed Volkswagen's sales expectations to the extent that additional production had to be set up at Volkswagen's own plant in Wolfsburg.

By 1971, the 500,000th Audi was produced, making it the most successful model in the company's history to that date. The company introduced the top-of-the-range 100GL in 1972, featuring the 1.9-liter engine formerly used in only the fastback Coupé S.

This particular 1973 Coupé S is finished in a stunning metallic blue that strongly accentuates the car's lines. And, for a car now four decades old, it has aged exceptionally well. Speaking of its striking looks, the 1973 Audi 100 Coupé even bears more than a passing resemblance to the much larger and more powerful Aston Martin DBS driven by James Bond in the 1969 movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, especially when the vehicle is viewed from the rear.

According to James Mann at 4 Star Classics, this well-documented example with just 26,500 miles on its odometer has spent much of its 38-year life in storage. With little exposure to the sun, the car's chrome and rubber seals are in good condition. The paint finish is excellent, and the car looks ready to show.

Then as now, the Audi designers were responsible for excellence in interior design--achieving a beautifully shaped coupe that still sat four adults comfortably with all their luggage in the boot.