Adelle's 1999 - 2000 Audi TT 1.8 T.

German vehicle maker Audi has knocked out some spectacular designs over the last couple of decades, including but not limited to their awesome mid-engined R8. And they're still holding their own in the style-stakes, having set themselves apart from from their German rivals BMW, who have recently gone a little over-sculptured, and Mercedes, whose designers have frankly penned a few shockers of late!

So how is it that Audi have been able to consistently deliver cars that are contemporary and stylish, yet aren't as try-hard as some of the other high-end European marques? An educated guess is that their design ethos is more refined, focusing on clean, classic lines and an approach that references and respects their earlier works.

One of Audi's all-time most iconic cars, the TT, is a case in point. Having first appeared in the late 1990s, subsequent iterations of this sweet looking coupe / hatch have maintained much of the first edition's original appeal by providing strong visual cues that link all three versions together in a distinct lineage.

Today's feature car, proudly owned by local design professional Adelle, is in great nick, having never copped more than the odd carpark scrape here and there. It's been in Adelle's family for a long time now, with previous owners including her architect father and medico uncle. Such is their fondness for it, Dad's about to buy it back again!

However, one small problem has beset the heirloom Audi: The rectangular display screen on the instrument pod is kaput and, despite several attempts to locate one that works, Adelle hasn't been able to source one, new or used. All advice indicates that the entire cluster needs to be replaced.

So, a bit of help from readers, if possible: Can you help to locate an instrument cluster like the one shown above? Apparently, any made for the model years 1999 - 2001 will fit, but not from later editions. The fewer the kilometers, the better.

The car's VIN is available, if this assists anyone. Please leave a message in the comments section and I'll forward it to you.

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)

Photos supplied.

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