“An elderly classic car that looks like it was designed this morning” these are the words of Quentin Wilson speaking on Top Gear in 1995 about the NSU Ro 80. These were his thoughts on what was then a 30 year old Ro 80, today in 2025 after another 30 years has passed the design of this car is as timeless as ever.
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FUTURISTIC DESIGN
When the NSU Ro 80 debuted in 1967 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, it immediately captured public attention. The international motoring press was equally impressed by Claus Luthe’s strikingly futuristic design, voting it Car of the Year in 1968.
With an aerodynamic body with expansive glass surfaces, showcasing both elegance and innovation. Its engineering was ahead of its time: front-wheel drive, fully independent suspension, power steering and disc brakes on all four wheels. The 115 bhp twin-rotor Wankel engine delivered impressive performance and a remarkably smooth driving experience, complemented by the unique 3-speed semi-automatic transmission with a clutch integrated into the gear lever.
With its combination of speed, refinement the Ro 80 offered a genuine sense of luxury motoring. Crowds filled showrooms, eager to experience what many believed was the future of the automobile.
NSU – A BRIEF HISTORY
The name NSU was not an acronym but derived from the city of Neckarsulm in Germany, where the company was founded in 1873. Originally established as Mechanische Werkstätte Schmidt & Stoll, a knitting machine manufacturer, the firm gradually shifted focus to the emerging world of transport. By 1905, it had become NSU Motorenwerke AG, producing bicycles, motorcycles and eventually automobiles.
NSU RO 80
The company’s most daring venture came with the Ro 80 saloon car. Priced at around £1,900 in 1967 (equivalent to roughly £49,000 / €57,000 today), the car was admired for its advanced technology but initially proved too expensive for most buyers, leading to slow sales.
A key innovation, and the eventual downfall of the company and the car was the twin-rotor Wankel engine, developed from the single-rotor version used in the earlier Wankel Spider. NSU lacked the resources to conduct a comprehensive long-term testing programme, and the consequences were severe. Early engines suffered from premature wear, particularly at the rotor tip seals, which often failed in under 16,000 kms. These issues caused power loss, oil leaks, and in extreme cases, complete engine failure.
While servicing sometimes offered temporary relief, many owners faced engine rebuilds or replacements within just a few years. Combined with high fuel consumption amidst the oil crisis of the 1970s and the complexity of rotary technology, which many dealers struggled to understand, the Ro 80’s reputation quickly suffered.
As Top Gear automotive journalist Quentin Willson recounted about the car, it became something of a running joke among owners: when passing each other on the road, they would hold up their fingers to show how many replacement engines their cars had fitted!
THE END OF NSU
NSU introduced a generous warranty programme and fixed many engine issues, but it was too late. High costs, mechanical problems and lost customer confidence led to financial trouble. In 1969, Volkswagen acquired NSU, merging it with Auto Union to form Audi NSU Auto Union AG
Ironically, it was the success of the Audi 100 that sealed the fate of both the Ro80 and the NSU brand. As Volkswagen positioned Audi as its luxury marque in the 1970s, NSU’s identity faded. Ro80 production ended in 1977 after 37,374 cars, marking the quiet end of NSU.
As this author can attest, having owned a 2004 Wankel-engined Mazda RX-8 for over eight years, living with even a modern version of the rotary engine is both fascinating and demanding, ingenious in design, but never without its challenges.
HARRY LINDSAY’S NSU Ro 80
Harry Lindsay, a renowned motorcycle rider and importer, came from a family steeped in motorcycling history. His grandfather, Robert Lindsay, built the 1898 “Celtic” motorcycle. We previously featured this story: Rarer than a Snake in Ireland – Celtic Motorcycle | Season 4, Episode 18.
With his success in both racing and business, Harry needed a car that reflected his status, and the NSU was the perfect choice. Ro80 registration 5956 ZA was purchased brand new in 1972 by Harry Lindsay from his cousin Reg Armstrong, a fellow motorcyclist and lifelong NSU sales agent.
The car remained in the Lindsay family until it was sold in 2023, having been off the road and in storage since 2011. At some point, it was sent to an NSU Ro80 specialist in the UK, where it was stripped back to bare metal and resprayed in its original NSU colour, Targa Orange (No. 227). Later, a brand-new crated engine was sourced from Germany and installed in Ireland by a specialist fitter.
The car is currently off the road due to a difficult-to-locate water leak that will require a major strip-down, but the owner hopes to have it running again in the near future.
NSU’S IN IRELAND
In Ireland, a thriving NSU Club brings together car and motorcycle owners, boasting a membership of over one hundred enthusiasts. The club recently announced that for the first time ever, there will be a dedicated Ro 80 stand at this year’s NEC Show in Birmingham.
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Check out our previous story on the Celtic motorcycle and its connections to the Lindsay family
Sources of Information and Photo Credits:
501 Must Drive Cars
Audi Media Centre
Cult Classics – Adrian Flux
Fleet Car
NSU Club Ireland – Facebook page
NSU Ro 80 – The Complete Story by Martin Buckley
Simon Cars
Unique Cars and Parts
Wiki
