SCIENTIST CLAIMS CUTTING INTO AUDI RINGS REVEALS CAR'S HISTORY

An Audi ring (left) after the outer
layer has been removed 

"Remember, measure twice, cut once," admonished Dr. Weaver Stignit as he carefully guided the four adjoined metal rings from an Audi grille through a specially-made saw.  Removing the top layer of aluminum revealed darkened concentric rings like those inside a tree trunk. "This old Audi had a tough life," Stignit said as he leaned over to study the rings.

 Weaver Stignit was once a dendochronologist, a person who studies tree rings.  But one day about ten years ago, on a lark, he removed the four rings from the front end of his boss's Audi A6 and ran them through a table saw.  "That day, I went from being a dendochronologist to being an Audichronologist. An unemployed Audichronologist," he said.  

"Measure twice, cut once" is the
first rule of Audichronology
claims Dr. Weaver Stignet

"This car was about 25 years old," said Stignit, pointing at the rings.  "Probably an Audi 80."  

Then, pointing to a dark area near the top of one ring, he explained, "It also sat in the sun a lot."  Stignit also determined that the car was driven mostly around town, with little freeway driving.  "At least it didn't have root rot," he laughed.   

RELATED STORY:  AUDI TRIES TO MAKE ITS CARS EASIER TO TELL APART BY LINKING NUMBER OF GRILLE RINGS TO MODEL NAMES

A2 Grille

2016 Audi A1 Grille

Acknowledging that it can be difficult for some to tell its cars apart, Audi officials today announced new Audi logos will reflect the car model.  

For example, European market Audi 1 will have only one ring in the grille, while the flagship A8 will feature eight rings.  The change will debut on 2016 model cars.

A8 Grille