Description
1973 NSU Ro 80 in Alaska Blue. 44950 recorded miles which appears consistent with the car's condition. MOT 29 April 2026.
The car was at one time in the collection of the owner of Rotechniks, a company which specialised in the servicing and maintenance of rotary engined cars. It was not used for many years as he was intending to set up a museum, although this never came to fruition. However it is understood that he fitted a New Old Stock replacement Wankel engine, which has even now probably covered only around 5000 miles. Certainly the engine starts readily, performs well, and is happy to idle at exceptionally low revs. The gearchange of the standard 3 speed box is silky smooth and the semi-automatic clutch (no clutch pedal) operates as it should.
The car was recommissioned by the UK's well-known Ro 80 expert, Phil Blake, before being sold about 5 years ago to the enthusiast from whom I bought it. It was featured in Practical Classics magazine in the Spring of 2021.
Externally the car presents extremely well - it is not concours but is certainly very smart. The condition of the brightwork is outstanding. My trusted classic car mechanic could find no structural corrosion.
The interior is also of a high standard apart from a little wear to the driver's seat bolster and a couple of blemishes on the two front seat bases.
I have owned the car for a little over a year and am reluctant to part with it, but I have another Ro 80 which is currently in need of some attention and I do not have the space to keep them both in the long term. I have taken it on trips to the North East of England, and in September of last year on classic car tours of Northern Ireland and mid Wales, (covering over 1000 miles in the space of a week). In May of this year I attended another weekend event with it in Devon. It always gathers a crowd and attracts much admiration - a Facebook post last July with a picture of me refuelling the car gained over 11000 likes!
