BIRTH OF THE ROTARY

In reference to June 2021 issue’s Innovators piece on the 1964 Skoda 1000 MB, I have to say that the Wankel Rotary concept has always fascinated me. I never was aware of Skoda’s involvement with rotary but what I do remember distinctly was the NSU R080, (pronounced N-S-U- R-OH Eighty) fitted with the original Wankel engine.

This was a stunning German car with a power plant produced by the founder of the rotary concept, Professor Felix Wankel. A few of these NSUS made it to our shores but not being very reliable, never hit the market by storm. I wonder if any of the original examples are still in someone’s private collection somewhere?

I believe the rotary would be more reliable if a rev limiter was available at the time. The apex seals were never able to handle the beautiful music from the tailpipe or control the itchy right foot of spirited drivers everywhere.

Thank you for all of these interesting Innovators articles. May I suggest an article covering signature grilles?

LOUWRENS OOSTHUIZEN Kleinmond

[Hi Louwrens, once again, thanks for writing in and sharing your thoughts. We couldn’t agree more, we’re fascinated by the rotary engine, have always been. While it’s unlikely to make a return to road cars in the way we remember from the heyday of the Japanese performance cars, we understand it will be returning in the form of a clever, compact range extender for EVS, so it has not disappeared entirely. We know you don’t need a subscription to your favourite motoring magazine, but yours is the winning letter once again, congratulations – editor]