Jump to content

Ro 80


TagoraSX

Recommended Posts

Yes indeed gentlemen, I CAN HAZ WANKELZ. well, not quite yet.

 

I bought this on Saturday at an auction in deepest darkest Norfolk via telephone bidding. It failed to sell at the last classic auction back in August with an estimate of £2500 which was far too salty for me. So, when it was entered again with a much lower estimate I decided to register for a phone bid on the off chance it would be cheap, and It meant I wouldn't have to go to Norfolk.

 

After my Audi 200 escapades I swore I would never buy another car blind again.........but all that went out the window and after a 20 second phone call on Saturday I was the proud owner of an Ro 80!

 

It's a 1973 model with 40,000 miles on the clock and looks* in good condition but it does need some work. The interior seems to be in excellent

condition and the bodywork, apart from a few rust bubbles here and there and some micro blistering looks pretty good too.

 

* may be a complete heap of shite

 

8150792374_da306d35bd.jpg

 

8150799252_47f073517b.jpg

 

8150795038_a3268c81c0.jpg

 

8150773577_87039dcdf4.jpg

 

8150770459_54a7b86884.jpg

 

8150773197_a6d8fb1c5b.jpg

 

8150769677_8c50925638.jpg

 

8150824873_dfbdfa86db.jpg

 

8150766989_bd75815c15.jpg

 

First thing on the "to do" list.

 

8150792178_0b25228be8.jpg

 

This should probably be somewhere else...

 

8150790526_541947cb4e.jpg

 

Sadly, it has had a Ford V4 engine conversion in the past. I am looking into some replacement engine options including a Mazda conversion.

 

8150834805_84d3db8861.jpg

 

8150792782_1ac49afeb9.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Top bombing!

It seems to be running on the original directional tyres too, you might want to launch them at some point and check out the spare Vredesteins sitting in the back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was there on Saturday.It did look nice in the metal although I didn't hear it running as I was in the cafe eating a very nice bowl of chips when it went through.

Didn't buy anything myself (bid on a couple of 924's and a Merc coupe) and was forced to drive the Silver Spirit back to Peterborough that my mate bought for less than the lower estimate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unbelievably, these came out in 1967! So ahead of their time, and utterly gorgeous.

 

Your new acquisition looks to be a nice one. Just a thought on the engine - would a small V6 fit in there? Or even a VAG V5 would keep it in the family (ish), and the matching trans-axle from an A4 might even fit in the hole.

 

This photo is currently my desktop image. It's a spot of mine from Thailand, and I'm never bored of looking at it.

 

P1060171Warmified.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like an interesting purchase. Personally i'd not be offended by the V4 conversion as in a way thats part of the history of the marque and its the difference between the car usable an not just a museum piece.

 

I seems a lot of V4 conversions were carried out by Hurley Motor Engineering Limited, who Ironically these days are now a Rotary engine specialist! It might be worth getting in contact with them as they could have a record of the car passing through their hands. They may even have the kit to convert back to the original engine. But I bet its not cheap!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...