Rare Rotary: 1968 NSU Ro 80
It is easy for some cars to claim the crown of the most advanced or radical car of the 20th Century, such was the rapid rate of vehicle development during the first one hundred years of passenger car production. However, the NSU Ro 80 could claim the title because of its advanced aerodynamics, impressive interior dimensions, and radical drivetrain configuration. Early cars developed a reputation for engine issues, which impacted sales and led to the company’s demise. This 1968 Ro 80 is a survivor that has hibernated for forty years. It is original and unmolested, and its lack of apparent rust could make it ideal for restoration. The NSU is listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Williams, California. The seller set their price at $6,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this rare rotary classic.
The Ro 80 caused a sensation when it was released in 1967. Its styling was unlike anything seen on previous production cars, with the company focused heavily on aerodynamic efficiency. It wasn’t big, with the exterior length barely more than 15′ 7″ from bumper to bumper. The enormous glasshouse gave the car a light and elegant appearance, while the chrome trim was subtle and restrained. The history of this NSU is unclear, but the seller confirms it has hibernated indoors for over forty years. That is good news for potential buyers. Although the Ro 80 isn’t renowned for major rust problems, the fact it has spent its life in a dry climate and undercover should mean this beauty has nothing beyond the minor dry surface corrosion visible on the outer cowl. Interestingly, later cars are more prone to problems than earlier vehicles, but an in-person inspection is still warranted. Critical areas requiring a thorough check include the inner rockers, shock mounts, front valance, trunk pan, and inner rear wheel wells where they meet the trunk pan. If those areas are sound, this NSU could be a winner. The panels are generally straight, and the bumpers have only a few minor imperfections that could be addressed before they are dispatched to the platers for a refresh. The remaining trim looks respectable, and the glass seems okay below the layer of dust. One welcome feature is the factory sunroof, which potential buyers from warmer climates will appreciate in a car that doesn’t score air conditioning.
Tipping the hood forward reveals one of the more radical pieces of the Ro 80 puzzle and the feature that eventually caused the company’s demise. NSU was the first manufacturer to employ a Wankel rotary motor in a production road car when it unveiled its 1964 Spider, selecting the same technology for the Ro 80. The decision is easy to understand because the rotary is inherently light, compact, smooth, and produces exceptional power for its size. However, the company rushed the development and release of the Ro 80 when engineers still harbored doubts about its reliability. Their concerns proved correct, with early cars suffering a spate of engine failures with less than 15,000 miles on the clock. Apex seals were the primary issue, although this was often exacerbated by owners who either failed to warm the engine sufficiently or those who revved the rotary beyond the recommended red line. The engine wasn’t the only groundbreaking mechanical component, with power fed to the front wheels via a three-speed semi-automatic transmission. There was no clutch pedal, but touching the shifter actuated a switch that engaged a vacuum servo clutch that allowed ratio swaps similar to a traditional H-pattern stick shift. Power steering was standard, as were four-wheel disc brakes with the fronts inboard to reduce unsprung weight. NSU quoted a nominal engine capacity of 995cc for the rotary. That makes the 128hp and 117 ft/lbs of torque it delivered in its prime noteworthy. Rapid acceleration was never the car’s strong suit, but its smoothness and ability to cruise effortlessly at freeway speeds won the Ro 80 many friends. There is no information on this car’s mechanical health, although it is possible the seller parked it due to engine issues. This isn’t the end of the earth because ongoing development means that a rebuild with modern seals may be possible. Some owners have also bolted in Ford V4 and Audi engines, which is an option worth considering for those who aren’t worried about originality.
The Ro 80’s exterior dimensions may be relatively modest, but the radical mechanical configuration produced a positively cavernous interior. The car isn’t particularly wide, but head and leg room was considered class-leading upon release. Front occupants receive buckets, while the back seat features a center armrest that folds down to reveal what the company termed a “ski port.” As the name suggests, this was designed to accommodate skis for that trip to the snow field, although most used it to carry other long items. This car’s interior is trimmed in Black vinyl, and the condition is surprisingly good. I think the top of the back seat might have sun rot, but the remaining vinyl should present well following a deep clean. The dash and pad are in good order, and there is no evidence of aftermarket additions.
The NSU Ro 80 promised so much, and as events proved, it could easily have delivered on that promise had the company not rushed its release. Ongoing development eliminated the engine problems by 1970, but the damage was done. The car’s reputation was badly tarnished, and sales slumped as a result. The Ro 80 remained on showroom floors until 1977, but the company only sold 37,398 cars during the entire production run. Finding one today is virtually impossible, but this Ro 80 could allow someone to slip behind the wheel of one of the most radical cars of the 20th Century. That makes it worth a close look.
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Comments
I remember travelling in one in around 1986/87 and thinking how up-to-date the interior seemed; quite like BMWs of the time. Flat floor, too.
A Mazda 13b would be a better swap… even a 12a… although with the earlier engine parts may be an issue. Ford V4s were a “common” swap back in the day, but IMO that would be heresy.
These cars were quite advanced for their day… had their rotary not been so fragile I think the NSU story would have been very different.
It would be nice to preserve/drive it as a rotary…but an engine swap is a practical solution to drive/enjoy. Put the rotary on a wheeled dolly as a display piece.
A friend of mine who is now very high up in F1 took me for a ride in one when we were visiting the Goodwood Festival of Speed. He drove it like an F1 driver and it stuck to the road like a painted stripe. Another friend owned a Mazda RX 2 Rotary engined car and and another Mazda with the same engine, I think it was a 616 or Capella. He lived in South Africa for 6 months of the year and Oklahoma for the other 6 months and every time he came back to SA he had to replace the rotary seals as they would stick to the “cylinder” wall and break off. Eventually he got to emigrate to US and he took his cars with him. If you read this Basil please respond. Ken Tilly, UK
Cool car! I see a mashup with Audi, BMW and Corvair design influence.
NSU was acquired by Volkswagen Group in 1969, VW merged NSU with Auto Union, creating Audi NSU Auto Union AG, ultimately Audi.
So yeah seems obvious that there are similarities
Speaking of design influence, I always thought the Ro80 clearly influenced the styling of the ’91 W-body Buick Regal sedan, especially in the greenhouse and tail.
Good call…I see it. I had a 92 Grand Prix 4dr and a 96 Buick Regal gs 4dr.
“ its lack of apparent rust could make it ideal for restoration.”
Rust is the first thing I see when I look at the third picture. Not sure what the author was looking at.
NSU had long been out of business and since it’s a rotary engine. I bet you engine parts are going to be pricey.
If it were 1/3 of the asking price it would be tempting
One of my bucket list cars. Looks better with the European headlights and in light metallic finish against the stainless brightwork. I would send the engine to a RX specialty builder to see if there was a way to overhaul this with a modern Apex seal solution.
I actually thought that these look so much better than the European headlights. Different strokes I guess
Ahoi
unusual round headlights
Never saw this before on a RO80…
Best regards from Germany
Welcome aboard, Till, the fun here has no worldly boundries, we’re all bozos on this bus!
Sealed-beam headlights were mandatory on US-market cars for decades, this is one result. At least importation of the Ro80 didn’t continue long enough to get 5 mph bumpers.
Are there that many rotary mechanics around or will I have to learn to fix it myself?
Lots (Mazda)
Having owned a few different NSU (Typ110, 1200C and VW K70) I was always interested in getting a Ro80 but the two that I went looking at were probably some of the greatest disappointments I have had when meeting my heroes. This great design, all the interesting technology – and I found them terrible to drive. The torqueless engine coupled to the weird semiautomatic gearbox with a torque converter ruined the whole experience. Man how much I missed a proper clutch and gearbox. Anyone who has driven the disaster of a slushbox equipped Mazda RX-8 will recognize the feeling. So much potential, such an epic failure.
As an 11-yr old back in ’67 with a voracious appetite for any information about things with an engine, wheels, wings, or a prop, I remember when articles came out about the Wankel design and the NSU cars. The latter soon became the darling of the automotive press, and deservedly so, the technology was cutting edge. It was an exciting time on nearly all transportation fronts, innovation abounded, and I couldn’t wait to move up from riding a Yamaha Trailmaster to something (anything) with four wheels legally on the street. My young mind figured an Ro80 with the Wankel would be sufficiently exotic to impress my friends and the chick[adee]s. But by the time I hit the rite of passage, my tastes had moved to more conventional yankee muscle. But I remember being saddened to see NSU falter from the infamous Ro80 apex seal issue that brought about the makers demise. It was like a shooting star, bright and high, that faded quickly.
Some interesting ideas I see here to put the featured car back on the road, hope it happens.
These were so futuric. Does it come with 4 cases of synthetic oil?
I find it a bit odd, Blake, ^^^, seems to like this style, but poo-poos a ’69 Road Runner. No, no, it’s okay, we don’t have a gun to our heads demanding we buy a GAZ. In my vast automotive background, I only have 2 experiences, no, wait, 3. As a kid, a guy down the block raced a rotary Prinz, it was loud, we all knew when John was a going racing. He said the front end got light on the main straight at Road America over 100mph. I test drove a RX-4, that was a really neat car, aside from the cloud of smoke upon startup, that the sales dude assured me was normal. It sure did rev fast, and had a buzzer for the 8grand(?) redline, that was easily ignored. 8 grand didn’t sound any different than 4 grand. Needless to say, I passed. And of course, the Evinrude rotary snowmobile I got for nothing with 50 miles on it, and never got it running.
I think the rotary, while a fantastic engine, really was the same stuff, different shovel. They got poor mileage, I think Mazda cured the apex seal thing, but still, not happy in the cold and had a limited following. They fell short on the daily grind Americans dished out, and regular piston engines won out, a fate I’m sure this EV silliness will experience as well. It sure is a neat looking car. An LS motor should make things right,,,