1974 NSU Ro80 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Pick up a copy of Hemmings motor news and advertise it there. Also, check out www.collectorcartrader.com to see what other NSUs are going for.

Wow, I just by chance looked at this thread and I was surprised that the one comment is followed by 16 comments. My grandfather's friend had an NSU Spyder, and I thought it was pretty cool. Wanted to buy it, but hey I'm a college student.

I just hope that those of you who love the Ro80 but can't take one on are RX-7 owners. While a little less charming than the Ro80, there's plenty of '86-91s that are looking for a good home for $2000-4000. I drive my friend's '86 every chance I get. The engine's reliable (my friend's did 298,000 kms before needing a rebuild), and the handling's so wonderful.

But I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir...

Hello Toby.

I tried contacting you at ttrillium@yahoo.com, but it was rejected. Do you have a new email address?

I have a good engine, but need a good RO80 body to go with it. Is yours still available?

Arthur.

I always thought it was a fantastic looking car, the profile is eerily similar to the 80's Audi 100 and 80. A shame NSU couldnt sort the engine problems out. We had one in the early 70's, but found the fuel consumption dreadful.

I got an RO80 in 1975, second-hand, and costing next to nothing. It was truly beautiful, and despite the reputation, gave me no significant trouble; I finally parted with it in 2002.

My advice to those who want to keep their engine in good nick: Maintain as high engine revs as possible when driving, i.e. use the first gear for most normal driving. Use a good synthetic oil as it'll save you a lot of grief. Keep the car in regular use; they don't like being left standing for months on end.

I encountered the RO80 in the 1970's, The first was a non metallic Blue car UK reg RDB8H with twin headlights. This was a fantastically smooth car which sounded like a sewing machine and flew like the wind. A little short on engine braking due to the rotary engine, but so far advanced to the other vehicles around, it was admired wherever it went. The three speed gearbox with electro pneumatic clutch operated by the top hat type gear knob was weird. No clutch pedal, a torque converter and I think reverse where 1st should be?

Used this car as a company car and for leisure for a few years and I believe it had covered 70k+ when the rotor tip seals started to go. I once went to Penzance from Leeds in 1976 at silly speeds on the motorways and every time I lifted my foot from the accelerator I covered six lanes in thick Blue smoke... I did the obvious thing and did not lift off. At the time I recall I used 2 gallons of oil at least there and back. The workshop manual did describe it as having a "total loss lubrication system", rightly so.

My colleagues also got hold of other RO80's and between us we went through about 4 or 5 over a few years. (2 Blue one Green all metallic). Another was bought to give a donor engine for a blown one (not RDB8H).My pride and joy was an "N" reg version, bought from a senior gentleman in Otley who was a Director of William Sinclair's (The makers of "Silvine" writing pads). I think it cost me £650 at the time around 1977-78 and it was a beautiful metallic Burgundy Red with alloy wheels and huge headlamps. This was such a fantastic car, It was very like the Audi's that came later (same Co of course). Not all joy however as it did later have problems with plugs fouling and terrible starting problems. It once refused to start one winter and I decided to let it tick over outside the workshop. The ground in the car park was covered in snow and after about 1/2 hour I looked out and the ground beneath the car was glowing. The exhaust was literally red hot over about 4 or 5 feet and reflecting on the remaining snow. The starting got worse and I eventually sold the car for a small sum of about £350 still I might add looking as good as the day I bought it. I much later bought an RO80 with a Ford V4 engine fitted. Worse thing I ever did, it drove like a knackered Transit Van. The gearbox was unchanged, still retaining the electro pneumatic bits etc, but as it was hopelessly underpowered I thrashed it along the inner Ring Road in Leeds, but then accidentally threw it into reverse...Oops! (I had been driving a Cortina 2000GXL very hard just prior to this).

If you have never put an RO80 into reverse at around 70 mph.. Don't, It is; a). Very, very noisy and b) the car self destructs. (well at least the bell housing and lumpy aluminium bits that are around there do.) Needless to say that was the end of that experience. However, the RO80 unmodified was no doubt far ahead of its time. It is fondly remembered by me and many others it seems.

This was a car that no-one had a clue what it was, then or now, but what a car. Thanks for the read and hope you find this interesting. Steve Midwinter (steve@slapface.co.uk)