I thought I'd post in here aswell, since some of you might not check the European forum often.
I just bought (well, just picked up, I bought it a few weeks ago) a 1973 NSU Ro80. It's my next restoration project, and will be restored into concours condition. The car has the usual rust in the lower front chassis rails. This is common for these years NSU's, and will be fairly easy to repair. All other main parts are rust free, or have a little bit of surface rust. Nothing major, and the car is mainly rust free. Unfortunatly, the paint suffered from 30 years of carwash, and a repaint will be needed.
Engine and gearbox are out of the car, but came with it (removed for restoration of the chassis). I'm unsure of the condition of these parts, though...
With the car, I got 2 gearboxes and an extra set of steel wheels (although a set of Fuchs alu wheels will be needed ) for free.
These are the pics I have now:

 

Wow. I never realized that those cars were as small as they are!

Good find!

 

Cool! not that you should but it would be fun to mazda-power a Ro80 Are all Ro80's that weird manual-automatic gearbox?

 

They all have a three-speed semi automatic. It ain't weird nowadays, a lot of cars now have simular systems. Basicly, it's no clutch, but handshift, or go for full automatic. That's the same as the Porsche tiptronic system. But of course the NSU system is a bit less complicated/advanced...
As for a Mazda engine in a NSU: it has been done, kits are available, but I'm not keen on that. I'd prefer a concours condition car, so all original...

 

There is one ine Norway with a TII engine!

http://www.ro80.tk
Not sure if the site is working but it has been there..

// magnus

 

cool!

 

It was acullay a 12A turbo.. 250bhp.. something for you bart.... stock... na.. you need a quick four door!

// Magnus

 

250hp from a 12A street port turbo??? Hmm, I'm not going to put such a thing in my Ro80 (really want it all original) but it sounds promising for my Mariah!

 

cool ... can't wait to see what you do with it !

P.S hello !

 

I must say, I am really impressed by Odd Magnars Ro80. Car in superb condition + 250 HP Mazda rotary. Only: poor gearbox!

However, I wonder why a 12A turbo with aftermarket injection. Wouldn't it be possible to use the 13B turbo straight away with only the intercooler mounted over the differential?

BR,
Bo

 

very astonishing!! where did you pick it up and what did it set you back??

 

I found it in Germany, through clubmembers and friends of clubmembers. I was searching for a solid one, repairable, but not in show condition, as I like to work on the cars myself. So I found this very cheap car in Germany, and the people selling it really just wanted to make sure it got a new home with someone who'd restore it. I payed about 300 euro (that's REAL cheap) for the car, but expect some money to restore it. Engine is a question mark (isn't locked, though) and some repairs, including a respray will be needed.
The car wasn't advertised anywhere, otherway he could easily have gotten more money for it. Just the two extra gearboxes I got for free are worth more then what I payed! I guess you have to be lucky in life!

 

Are you familiar with the NSU Ro80 Club of Switzerland? I once visited a guy named Edlehard Becker, who is a member of that club and lives near Stuttgart...I think Entringen, if memory serves (it was a few years ago). Nice guy and he owns a pristine '72 Ro80, as well as similarly nice 1st and 3rd gen RX-7s. I was surprised how much power the Ro80 had, for just sporting a 10A. Anyway, if you meet him at any Ro80 get-togethers, say 'hi' for me please. I lost his email address years ago....

 

Nice, I love those cars. My dad took a peek inside one. Said it had one posh interior.

 

I don't know anybody in the Swiss club, but I might know his car(s). Should I meet him, I'll say hi from you!

As for the power of the Ro80: it's a small engine (simular capacities of the 10A) but it is Peripheral Port

 

Wow. I'm in love.

Please dont ruin it by putting in a Mazda rotary engine. Keep it original & keep the NSU rotary.

There are several European places around that can make the NSU engine reasonably reliable.

REgards

 

I think there are reliable seals by now

 

Don't worry DMRH, I do not intend to use a Mazda engine. I really want a concours car. I own a highly modified RX-7 Mariah, so one modified car is enough for a while
I'm just not sure if this engine I have will be ok. If not, I'll use another NSU engine, as there are still a few used ones in good condition available. If that doesn't work, then there are indeed reliable seals available.
Apex seals can be used from Mazda, and Hurley makes modern type seals aswell. There is no need to use a Mazda engine in an Ro 80, except maybe to get extra power. But since I don't consider my Ro80 a sportscar, there's no real need for extra power.

 

Great news mate. Will be looking forward to checking out the end result as you have a timeless classic.

An NSU powered Ro80 is my favourite RX. So ahead of its time. So well thought out. So typically German.

They even made it to the top 10? cars of the 20th century. If the engine was reliable. I think it would have pipped the VW bug for the #1 spot.

REgards

 

Thruth is, the engine wasn't half as bad as people say/believe. I have an article from Audi/NSU, looking back at the development of the Wankel, written somewhere mid-seventies.
Over 35% of the engines that came in as "broken" were faultless! Dealers were so scared of the new technology they swapped engines because of carburators being setup wrongly!
From the other engines (the ones that were shot) a lot were shot because of abuse: to high reving (people seemed to keep flooring the gas, and there was no rev-limiter: BIG MISTAKE), no oil changes, or even deliberately screwed up (running without oil etc) shortly before warranty ended, as they knew they'd get a new engine that way, and NSU NEVER blamed anyone. They just kept changing engines... Some factory rebuild engines only required new seals, because they opened it. But nothing was wrong...
Engines were swapped because "lack of power" which turned out to be a faulty fuel pump, or carb...

 

That reminds me, did that New York NSU Ro80 owner sell his. He wanted to much for it when it was on ebay.