Description
NSU Ro 80 | 1970
Highlights:
– Twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine, petrol, manual transmission
– Finished in high-gloss black
– Restoration project; engine has run briefly on an external fuel supply
– A video of the engine being started is available on request
The seller offers for sale this 1970 NSU Ro 80, powered by a twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine, paired with a manual transmission. This example is finished in high-gloss black and is offered as a restoration project. Following a period of standstill, the car requires recommissioning: the engine has run briefly on an external fuel supply, and the seller can provide a video of the engine being started on request. The car does not currently drive and will need mechanical attention before it can return to the road. Belgian papers are present according to the seller. For the enthusiast seeking a rewarding project, this is an opportunity to revive one of the most technically fascinating saloons ever built.
The Ro 80 stunned the automotive world when NSU unveiled it in 1967. Its twin-rotor Wankel engine was revolutionary, delivering turbine-like smoothness that no conventional piston engine could match, while the aerodynamic wedge-shaped body, with its low nose and tall tail, anticipated saloon car design by well over a decade. Front-wheel drive, a semi-automatic clutch system, four-wheel disc brakes and sophisticated suspension completed a package so advanced that it was voted European Car of the Year 1968. The design has aged remarkably well and is still celebrated as a milestone of automotive engineering and styling.
The Ro 80’s pioneering rotary engine proved costly for NSU in period, contributing to the company’s absorption into what became Audi, and this history only adds to the model’s mystique. Surviving examples are rare, and the model enjoys a devoted following with an active specialist scene, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. As a restoration project, this black Ro 80 offers a compelling proposition: the chance to bring a genuine piece of automotive history back to life, with the reward of one of the most refined and forward-thinking driving experiences of its era waiting at the end.
Condition of the bodywork & paint
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
Condition of the interior
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
Technical condition
2 — Fair. Noticeable wear and aging; drives but has issues.
Overall condition
1 — Poor. Severe damage or mechanical issues; may not be drivable.
This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.
