NSU Wankel Spider

The NSU Wankel Spider from 1964 was a real milestone in automotive history that we have now included in our ZeitHaus collection. This fascinating vehicle debuted at the International Motor Show (IAA) in 1963 as the world’s first mass-produced automobile to be fitted with a Wankel engine.

TECH HYPE WITH A UNIQUE ENGINE

NSU and Felix Wankel sparked off a technology craze with the single rotor engine of around 500cc positioned above the rear axle. Almost all the major automobile manufacturers bought Wankel licences. The Wankel Spider two-seater with its fully retractable soft top was based on the NSU Sport-Prinz designed by Bertone, of which almost twenty-one thousand were built between 1959 and 1967. A total of 2,375 NSU Wankel Spiders were built in its production period from 1964 to 1967.