Felix Wankel designed the Rotary Piston Engine in the 1920s that, in theory could and should replace the conventional piston engine. Turning theory into reality took the 50 odd years to come to fruition. When NSU began working with Wankel in the '50s it was to use the concept to make a supercharger for their motorcycle engines. By 1954 NSU began to develop the concept as an actual engine. Multiple design changes were made and the circular motion had even become eccentric but most of the problems had been solved and in 1963, NSU introduced the first Wankel engined automobile. The engine ran OK in the little NSU but was soon doomed to both gas consumption and pollution. But this was the year when this engine was touted as the wave of the future. I remember reading all about the Wankel in Popular Science magazine that year and figured this was the future. I wasn't alone. 30 different companies and corporations (including Rolls Royce!) bought licenses from NSU and proceded to adapt and refine the concept to fit their needs. As it turned out, it was Mazda that made the engine practical in power, efficiency, reliability and, as the years rolled on, could pass pollution limitations.
In 1978, Mazda released the 1st generation Savanna RX-7 sports car advertised as "Designed By Rotary". It was nimble and stylish with the engine's shape allowing it to be placed behind the front axle for superior handling. It was a sensation in Japan because the displacement was rated at only 1.5 liters that gave exceptional horsepower without being subject to the confiscatory 'road tax' levied on cars with larger displacements. The Savanna RX-7 continued through a 2nd generation until 1991. I hope old Felix died (1902-1988) with a smile on his face.
And it's one of just a handful of 1/18s to feature a plaid interior. Very cool. 😎  Still not sure how useful those fender mounted mirrors were? 🤔 🤔 🤔Â
And it's one of just a handful of 1/18s to feature a plaid interior. Very cool. 😎  Still not sure how useful those fender mounted mirrors were? 🤔 🤔 🤔Â
@chris Chris Those wing mounted mirrors were OK on a small Japanese or European car but I guess on an American full-sized land yacht with an acre of real estate for a bonnet (hood) they wouldn't be much cop!
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
@rich-sufficool Rich, once again a great write with impressive photos. The NSU Ro80 was number 50 out of 50 in Brooke Bond's History of the Motor Car card series issued in 1968 and Peter Hull's description on the reverse of the card reckoned the Wankel engine was the way forward too.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
There was a third generation RX-7. It was sold in the US from 1993 through 1995, and RHD versions were sold in Japan and Australia (I think) until 2002. I owned two of them. The first was a 1982, which I had from 1982 to 1993. I then bought a 1993 RX-7, which I owned until 2021.
