In late 1985, Audi unleashed the Sport Quattro S1 E2. Or, in simple terms, the wildest, most violent form of the Audi Quattro rally car to be set loose in World Rally, period. After having endured a drought of wins, Audi had gone back to the drawing board and had given the Sport Quattro plenty of power (realistically, somewhere close to 600 horsepower) and a pre-runner to what we would call a DSG gearbox. And you’d have to be blind to not notice the aerodynamic enhancements made to the car. In the hands of drivers like Walter Röhrl, it was a weapon, a point-and-shoot monster with the unmistakable howl of a five-cylinder being force-fed all the air it could ever need. It was enough to earn Audi the win at the Sanremo Rally in 1985.

That particular car has vanished to parts unknown, but for Volker Gehrt, the attraction has been embedded deep within him. But what made him go out and build as close to a replica of the Sanremo car as possible? A die-cast toy that his wife bought for him, that sat on his desk, provided the inspiration. And he’s built one hell of a knock-off…when Röhrl dropped by to see the car and got goosebumps, that’s gotta be the ultimate sign of approval. Petrolicious sat down with Gehrt to get the story, which you can check out by clicking on the video below.

(Note: Make sure you have the subtitles on!)