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Mine's quite rotten, but I think it's worth fixing. Do want to learn how to weld, but I suspect I'll be paying for some of it to be done; and reading threads where people seem to fabricate inner arches and panels out of thin air! Looks like the time to make and fix the panels is not the issue, but the skill to shape them and weld them right; once people have the skills they seem to charge through projects.
I'd love spare wheels, but not at £225. Mine are tidy enough and I'd almost prefer to have steels and trims, if I can find the right ones (there are some hubcaps in the back, not sure they're original or not).
Progress will be slow I'm afraid, but when I've got less work on I'll probably make a start on stripping the front end to see how much work is needed on the sills and if the wings can be repaired (it's the bottoms that have gone. Workshop manual first, so I can do things in the right order when taking it apart - the body engineering at the front is astounding, with immense front wings.
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brc76
RR Helper
Posts: 1,107
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The K70 I'm working on is designed just like the RO80 - funny that. The wings are heavily formed and strenghtened and a PITA.
I had never done much welding before starting this project, only a few bits and bobs. Rather than pay for someone else, get a welder, some sheet steel and start playing with it.
I may have a spare set of 14" steel wheels eventually if my plans go ahead.....
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I need to get into this car, but in the meantime: ![](http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255093_10150328244177586_544157585_9970975_586127_n.jpg) It's not a Mk 1/2, but not a bad car boot sale find all the same! Like the Ro80 it has a 3-speed transmission.
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Jun 12, 2011 11:50:11 GMT
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That's very sweet. I saw one with a definite 'rat-look' vibe going on in Zurich a week or two ago, looked like it was still in daily use though.
Shame they didn't get the wacky interior they were originally designed with - but they're fascinating bits of kit. Hope yours comes together without too much fuss!
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Jun 12, 2011 19:49:44 GMT
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cool car! I think there are great and so under valued. Hard to believe they designed and brought these out in the late 60's! So far ahead of the time.. Its discs all round ( i think?), front wheel drive, semi auto box with one of them god dang funny rotary things in it! Look son- that car aint from around here. Its different to our cars! I know hurley rotary were the main 'offenders' at putting in v4's but they also put in mazda engines. I wonder if they could help you with ideas on fitting the renesis ?
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Jun 13, 2011 10:26:33 GMT
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The K70 I'm working on is designed just like the RO80 - funny that. They are both NSUs; VW bought out NSU in '69 and just rebadged the K70. Always nice to see a rotary Ro80 richardkc6 (and a similar mindset on some things too ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) ); I shall be following this one with interest.
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woooo Ro80! One of my faves, but never had the balls to buy one! PICs pics pics pics pics It's amazing how many people feel the same way. They are however incredibly simple to work on, everything is accessible and logically constructed. I wish people weren't so frightened of them. We've been down to Italy several times in one of mine and I've never doubted that the car would get us home! Engines can be a problem of course but find one with a good engine and it'll reward you with effortless high speed motoring for many miles. Over 200 bhp is a bit much for the gearbox bearings so if you do decide to fit an RX8 engine Richard I'd try to keep it under that. You can get the gearbox rebuilt (in Germany)with uprated bearings and a better ratio in 3rd to give you 140+mph if you wish! From what I remember from Glen waddingtons ownership of this car, the engine was ok? I believe you may be needing me to supply you with a waterpump is that right? Phil
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A bit of an all round Wankel
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Jun 15, 2011 11:10:22 GMT
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Hi Phil, Yep, I do need a water pump - and probably the hose distributor block that sits in the top hose, need to drain and check it all fully. The engine works, but it's reluctant to start currently and I hate trying - it starts if I turn it over, but it needs to turn over for ages and I get the fear that this is NOT good for it! If it had an RX8 engine, it'd be four-port, and with 1 and a half spare gearboxes I'd probably get one of them rebuilt accordingly ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Right now though, I am needing to get to work on the body, which is intimidating; I should buy a workshop manual first ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Mamba
Part of things
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Posts: 148
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I've never seen this car before, it's certainly distinctive and good luck to you with the sensitive restoration. ![8-)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cool.png) That's what I like about this forum. Each has his/her own perceptions on what you should and shouldn't do to a car. Some like your good self seem to like the more keep it as it was approach but within practical limits. Others like the go as low as you can and inprint your own sense of style on it. I would class myself as the middle road on that one. "Lowering", when done correctly, can drastically improve cornering and road handling ability, not necessarily with a massive trade off in ride comfort. My old XJS was testimony to that and I am hoping my SE5a will also be so. It's each to his own at the end of the day isn't it guys? You build your cars for you, not for others. Everyone is entitled to their own personal opinion, we should respect that of course. Great looking base for sure mate, i'm looking forward to reading more on this one.
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[url=http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=readersrides&action=display&thread=105579 ]1975 Scimitar SE5a "Kato"[/url] 1978 Scimitar SE6a "Mamba" 1969 Land Rover Airportable "Summer"
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Torquesport
Part of things
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Astras all the way!
Posts: 453
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here here couldn't agree more i've got & had both std & modded stuff but don't see whats great about haveing something with what looks like knackered suspension. well both get char grilled now I'm with you both. It breaks my heart to see how some real treasures end up.
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I would class myself as the middle road on that one. "Lowering", when done correctly, can drastically improve cornering and road handling ability, not necessarily with a massive trade off in ride comfort. My old XJS was testimony to that and I am hoping my SE5a will also be so. To be fair, I am mostly of the school of "let no rare/not easy to replace part be destroyed". So bolt-on, lowered suspension for operational improvements in handling, I can definitely live with even if it's not to my taste. Regardless, the NSU I want to keep as original as possible - and if an RX8 engine ever does go in there, it'll only happen (including the engine management!) in a manner which I can easily remove and put the car back to standard, even if that means holding on to the original box/mounts etc. for as long as I have the car!
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Jun 16, 2011 13:12:26 GMT
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Yep, I do need a water pump - and probably the hose distributor block that sits in the top hose, need to drain and check it all fully. The engine works, but it's reluctant to start currently and I hate trying - it starts if I turn it over, but it needs to turn over for ages and I get the fear that this is NOT good for it! If it had an RX8 engine, it'd be four-port, and with 1 and a half spare gearboxes I'd probably get one of them rebuilt accordingly ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Right now though, I am needing to get to work on the body, which is intimidating; I should buy a workshop manual first ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Cranking it over doesn't cause any further damage as far as I'm aware but if you are finding it that hard to start, compression could be an issue, does it tick over in gear or stall? I probably have everything you need so I'll PM you my number etc. Feel free to give me a shout if I can assist. One of the good things about fitting a Mazda engine (other than more power and durability) is you don't have to chop the car about. Worst butchering I've seen is to fit the Ford V6 engine, Ouch! The Mazda engine is not as smooth as the NSU unit though.
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A bit of an all round Wankel
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Jun 16, 2011 15:36:34 GMT
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In gear? When it was idling I didn't try and hold it in gear, but I'd say it'd probably stall. When it started it seemed a bit spluttery (it'd been flooded) but happy enough to rev - I was also concerned about coolant though as it was leaking everywhere, I need to check where it actually needs the fixes ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) I had an RX8 192 (4 port), rather liked it. Has anyone done a 3-chamber (20B) Ro80 yet?
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Jun 16, 2011 16:13:41 GMT
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Once ticking over correctly it shouldn't stall when you put it into gear. There was a 3 rotor engine that NSU made as a prototype and a swiss owner got hold of it and fitted it into his ro80. Went well and looked good but no, never been a 20B fitted into one. I have a Cosmo with a 20B and there's no way the Ro80 box would take that power. Be a tricky conversion what with the inboard discs but everything is possible! we have an RX8 and love it. Running it on LPG saves a few quid too.
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A bit of an all round Wankel
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Jun 24, 2011 20:58:38 GMT
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Hey Phil- what LPG setup do you have on your RX8?
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yup, as been said, buy a mig, around the 130 to 150 mark, defo get the right gas, even if it means opening a boc account, looks clean and unmolested, it even looks in dimention, wheel/tyre/arch wise (unlike my granada), so if your happy withthe 1960's (2011) handling, stick with it. As to engine, get the nsu lump right, you'll be so much happier in the end...shame your so far away, I would have traded you welding for body filler any day of the week ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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"No............I think I'll stick with the Maxi"
Arther Daley
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oldone
Part of things
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www.exile-rotorsport.com
Posts: 149
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Jun 25, 2011 21:41:32 GMT
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Rotechniks in Reading should have some spares for you,12a conversion is also an option for you.
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Oldone's disclaimer: "It is very difficult to convey sarcasm, humour, inuendo and other subtleties of speech over what is essentially a text-only-communication tool. please take all posts with a pinch of salt" www.oldones.co.ukwww.oldones.co.uk
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Hey Phil- what LPG setup do you have on your RX8? Hiya, it was converted using a modified ECU and an 8 Cylinder e-G@S Kit. Conversion was carried out by Hardy's Garage www.biketyreshop.com/autogas.htm in north wales. The RX8 covered 36000 miles last year alone so has more than paid for itself! Just done a compression test (car is at 94000 miles now) and all looks good :-) Phil
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Last Edit: Jul 12, 2011 7:40:52 GMT by philmanns
A bit of an all round Wankel
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There will be updates on this - just had a lot of work on so the cars have been largely ignored (apart from ongoing running hot from the 114, I suspect I need to do the thermostat after all ![:(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/sad.png) ).
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,917
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Jul 16, 2011 16:12:43 GMT
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Yes, sometimes I see stuff that makes me cringe - <snip> what appeared to be a really tidy Monza being systematically destroyed to make a track weapon; ?? Nice Ro80 - had some good memories of being ferried about in one in the mid 70's
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