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NSU Wankel Spider versus Triumph Spitfire MK II - in the historic "hobby" super test

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Created on November 11, 2019

Reading time 31min

Written by:

Heinz Kranz

Photos:

Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

2

Archiv

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Archiv Reinhard / Max Pichler

2

Archiv

52

NSU Wankel Spider und Triumph Spitfire in der Boxengasse von Monza

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Titel Heft 17:1965 - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Titel Heft 18:1965 - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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NSU Wankel Spider und Triumph Spitfire im harten Test

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An der Tankstelle - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Bremstest - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Das Duo auf Achse - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Gut ausgerüstete Werkstatt - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Hoch das Bein - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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In derselben Kurve - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Nürburgring - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Pendelachse beim Wedeltest - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Pässefahrt - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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An der Rennstrecke - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Test auf dem Flugplatz - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Zeitnahme beim Radwechsel - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Zeitnahme beim Verdeckaufbau - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Zerlegter Motor - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Über die Pässe - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Technische Daten - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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Tabelle-Schlussergebnis - NSU Wankel Spider kontra Triumph Spitfire MK II im hobby Super-Test

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NSU Wankel Spider (1963) - ein elegantes kleines Cabriolet

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NSU Spider (1963) - mit dem Wankel-Spider ist man immer gut angezogen

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NSU Spider (1965) - der erste Serienwagen mit Rotationskolbenmotor - Genfer Automobilsalon 1965

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NSU Spider (1963) - Motor hinten, Kofferraum vorne

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NSU Wankel Spider (1966) - Siegfried Spiess mit Ölwolke beim Zurückschalten am Bergrennen Schauinsland

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NSU Spider (1965) - zwei Drittel Getriebe, ein Drittel Motor - Genfer Automobilsalon 1965

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NSU Wankel Spider (1964) - kompakter Wankelmotor

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NSU Wankel Spider (1963) - Blick auf den Wankelmotor

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NSU Wankel Spider (1963) - 'so breit ist der eigentli. Wankelmotor'

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NSU Wankel Spider (1963) - der ausgebaute Wankelmotor

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Triumph Spitfire (1963)

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Triumph Spitfire (1963) - bei Frauen sehr beliebt

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Triumph Spitfire 4 Mark II (1965) - optisch kaum verändert zum Mark I

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Triumph Spitfire 4 Mk II (1964) - wer möchte da nicht mit einsteigen

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - auf dem Genfer Automobilsalon 1963

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Triumph Spitfire (1963) - preisgünstiger Roadster aus England

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Triumph Spitfire 4 Mark II (1965) - anlässlich eines Kurztests

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - attraktiv aus jeder Perspektive

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - schmal und handlich

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - aufgenommen aus der Vogelperspektive

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - hübsches Cabriolet

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - Design von Giovanni Michelotti

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - Blick ins Interieur

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - eine Ausführung des Lenkrads

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - alle Bedienungselemente zentral angeordnet

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - Armaturenbrett mit zentralen Instrumenten

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Triumph Spitfire 4 Mark II (1965) - rechtsgelenkte Variante, noch immer mit einfachem Lenkrad

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - Reihenvierzylinder mit zwei SU-Vergasern

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - Chassis und Antriebsstrang

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Triumph Spitfire (1963) - Chassis - gut zu sehen die Pendelachse mit Querblattfedern und Schubstreben

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Triumph Spitfire 4 Mark II (1965) - Blick in den Motorraum

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Triumph Spitfire 4 (1963) - Blick in den Kofferraum

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Triumph Spitfire (1963) - aufgeräumter, aber nicht sehr voluminöser Kofferraum

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Summary

The NSU Wankel Spider was intended to convince customers of the Wankel engine, and the Triumph Spitfire MK II was the typical small English roadster. The magazine "hobby" put the two sports cars through the wringer and tested them on Grand Prix circuits, at an airfield, on hill climbs and on extended mountain pass tours. Finally, the engines of the vehicles were dismantled and taken apart - with surprising results. This article reproduces the original text from 1965 and shows the two rivals in many pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Sports cars are not family cars
It started off right!
First comes the big 'feel-out'
Initial findings
Steep wall artistry
On to the Nürburgring
The Wankel catches up
Zandvoort - a Wankel domain?
Spitfire 'hairdressers' wanted!
Convertible top installation by time
The sound makes the music
Three-pass drive: Furka, Grimsel, Susten
Test on the airfield
Acceleration - a Spitfire domain!
Good brakes - half the battle...
Conclusion of the test on the airfield
Surprise at the Wankel engine
The Englishman also did well
The 'tire eaters'
Tire wear
Hot iron: The plus-minus rating
NSU Wankel Spider
Triumph Spitfire MK II
The die is cast

Estimated reading time: 31min

Preview (beginning of the article)

At the end of our 9th SuperTest, we had promised a special attraction for the following anniversary test. Here it is, and not just a comparison between two sports cars, but a comparison between two cars, one of which is equipped with a normal reciprocating engine, while the other has a rotary engine. We chose the Triumph Spitfire as a competitor for the NSU Spider with Wankel engine. Its driving performance corresponds to that of the NSU Wankel Spider, and it is also comparable in price. We didn't buy the Spitfire in Germany, but had it purchased by our Swiss dealership in Lugano. That's why the hobby test car has a Ticino license plate. The Wankel Spider comes from the current series in Neckarsulm. A number of annoying little things (such as a side window that is always rattling) clearly prove that this is a completely normal car.

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