NSU Ro80 Wankel
The NSU Ro80 was one of the most advanced production cars ever built. Its aerodynamic wedge-shaped body (Cd 0.36) was designed by Claus Luthe and looked more like a 1990s car than a 1967 one. Under the sleek skin was NSU's twin-rotor Wankel engine, front-wheel drive, four-wheel disc brakes (inboard front), and a semi-automatic transmission. It won the European Car of the Year award in 1968. Sadly, early Wankel engines suffered catastrophic rotor tip seal failures, and the resulting warranty claims bankrupted NSU, which was absorbed by Volkswagen/Audi. Despite its troubled reliability, the Ro80 is now revered as a design masterpiece and engineering landmark. Many survivors have been fitted with Ford V4 or Mazda rotary engines.
Cars with original running Wankel engines are most valuable but hardest to maintain. Many have been converted to Mazda rotary or Ford V4 power. Check if the engine is original. The body is remarkably resistant to rust (for a 1960s car). Parts are scarce but the NSU Ro80 Club is excellent. These are design icons worthy of museum display.
37,398 Ro80s were built from 1967-1977. Early engines failed at 30,000-50,000 km due to rotor tip seal issues. NSU replaced thousands of engines under warranty, leading to the company's financial collapse and merger with Audi. Many cars were converted to conventional engines.