Sold | 1972 NSU Ro80 Saloon

Page Contents

Track live values and receive listing alerts

Enquire Now

View All Images

£2,128

1972 NSU Ro80 Saloon

United Kingdom • 7 Jun 2014 • Lot 411

Vehicle Details

AI Listing Summary

This 1967-1977 NSU Ro80 is a technologically advanced saloon with a Wankel engine and front-wheel drive. It features a semi-automatic transmission, four-wheel inboard disc brakes, and a slippery aerodynamic shape. The car has undergone recent work by specialists and comes with manuals and spare parts. The original engine was replaced with a Mazda unit.

Condition

6

The car is described as being in sound order and fully functional with a valid MOT certificate. Work has been undertaken by specialists, including repairs and a new exhaust system. However, the original engine has been swapped out, which affects originality but it now has a Mazda rotary engine which is a plus.

/ 10

Transmission:

Automatic

Chassis No:

831000852

Odometer:

23,405 miles

Reg Number:

XJB 729L

RHD/LHD:

RHD

The NSU Ro80 was a technologically advanced saloon produced by the West German firm from 1967 until 1977.

Most notable was the powertrain; a 113bhp, 995cc twin-rotor Wankel engine driving the front wheels through a semi-automatic transmission employing an innovative vacuum system and, as such was voted Car of the Year in 1968, by European motoring writers.

Other technological features of the Ro80, aside from the powertrain, were the four wheel inboard disc brakes which, for some time, were generally only featured on expensive sports or luxury saloon cars.

It also featured an automatic clutch which was commonly described as a three-speed semi-automatic gearbox but there was no clutch pedal, instead on top of the gear knob, an electric switch that operated a vacuum system which disengaged the clutch.

The gear lever itself could then be moved through a standard H-pattern gate.

The shape was also slippery with a drag coefficient of 0.355 allowing for an impressive top speed of 112mph....