The first-generation Audi TT is now old enough to be restored, reimagined, and treated like a design classic. Dutch firm Autoforma has revealed a one-off TT Roadster restomod inspired by the 1995 Audi TTS concept.
The project was commissioned by Dutch designer Jos Baijens, who was among the first TT owners in the Netherlands back in 1998. Rather than turning the car into a high-power tuner build, Autoforma focused on bringing the production TT closer to the original show car that previewed it.
That makes this restomod unusually subtle. The changes are easy to miss at first, but they carefully rewind some of the production compromises Audi made when the TT entered showrooms.
The result is a cleaner, lower, sharper version of one of Audi’s most important modern designs. It also says plenty about how far the TT’s reputation has come since cheap used examples filled classifieds for years.
A Tribute To The 1995 TTS Concept
Autoforma’s build takes inspiration from the Audi TTS Roadster concept shown in 1995. That concept helped establish the TT’s now-famous shape years before the production Roadster arrived.
The production TT already stayed remarkably close to Audi’s original concept, but Autoforma went further by undoing several later changes. The rear spoiler added after the TT’s launch has been removed, restoring the smooth tail that defined the early design.
The firm also reshaped the front bumper with narrower, more horizontal lower intakes. Vents behind the front wheels have been reinstated, giving the car a stronger link to the original TTS concept.
The Roof Is Gone For Good
One of the biggest changes is the removal of the folding fabric roof. In its place, Autoforma created a hard tonneau-style panel that sits flush with the rear deck.
That change makes the car feel closer to a true speedster than a conventional convertible. It also cleans up the rear profile, which was always one of the TT Roadster’s most distinctive angles.
Autoforma also added small side-sill intakes, clip-on racing-style mirrors, and a smoother rear bumper with integrated exhaust outlets. These are not loud modifications, but they make the car look almost like a factory prototype.
A Familiar TT Look, Sharpened
The car wears primer-like grey paint that nods to the 1995 concept. Autoforma gave the finish a modern twist with pearl-effect paint on the upper body and matte grey treatment on the lower sections.
The suspension has been lowered and the track widened, giving the little Audi a more planted stance. Autoforma does not appear to have made major powertrain changes, so the focus remains firmly on design rather than performance.
Inside, the car features the famous baseball leather interior associated with the Mk1 TT. That cabin treatment remains one of the most memorable factory options Audi offered during the car’s early years.
The TT’s Reputation Has Changed
The original Audi TT was a design shock when it launched in 1998. Its clean geometric styling made it look like little else on the road, and Audi managed to carry much of the concept car’s character into production.
For years, though, Mk1 TT values stayed low. High production numbers, aging examples, and a mixed enthusiast image kept prices from reflecting the car’s design significance.
That has started to change. Clean first-generation TTs are now being treated less like used German coupes and more like collectible modern classics, especially when they are well-preserved or unusually specified.
A One-Off With Perfect Timing
Autoforma says this TTS restomod is a one-off created for Baijens. That may disappoint TT fans, because the finished car makes a strong case for a small run of carefully reworked examples.
The timing also feels fitting. Audi ended TT production in 2023, and its Concept C has already suggested that the brand’s next small sports car will borrow some spirit from the original.
This Autoforma build is not trying to reinvent the TT. It simply reminds everyone why the first one was so important in the first place, with just enough craftsmanship to make Audi’s old design idea feel fresh again.