NSU Spider - Restored and Rare Car and a Beautiful Example! Fun to Drive!

1965 Other Makes Additional Info:

Background:
Rare in form and numbers produced, the NSU Spider was unveiled in 1964 at the Frankfurt Motor show. Like all NSU it featured a rear mounted engine, but making it particularly special was that it was the first production car to be powered by a Wankel, or rotary, engine. Compact in size, it fit neatly below the rear luggage space and made a peppy 50hp for such a light car. Making it more interesting, only ~2,300 NSU Spider were made between 1965 and 1967 making this little cheery convertible a surprising sight to all but the seasoned eyes.

Let's move on to this car specifically:
This car was purchased from RM Auctions in Sweden in 2012. RM, if unfamiliar, is unequivocally known for offering nothing but the most high quality and interesting car in the world. We purchased, not much was known of the background of the car, only that it was very complete and in beautiful shape, but begging for a sympathetic restoration. Make note, in 2012 at RM, and before any clean up efforts were made, this car sold for $50,000 USD (336,000 Krona) and that was before shipping to the US as well. (note: our reserve is MUCH MUCH less than even the gavel price!).

After being shipped to the US, the car was disassembled and thoughtfully painted, cleaned and refreshed. New paint adorns the exterior, motor and chassis, while the interior remains largely original. Since completion the car has only been driven less than 50 miles. (Speedo reads 64,000kms or ~40,000 miles)

This NSU was not a one off purchase. It sits within an extremely robust collection filled with both rare and eclectic cars, moreover, it even sits beside 3 other NSU Spider. Classic and rare car experts watch over and maintain this beauty and assure that it is in wonderful running and driving condition.

This is an investment quality car which is mostly stock and looks fantastic in red over red/black!
The Condition and Service:
Let's start on the engine and drivetrain:
-ENGINE
This engine comes to life with a turn of the key. It warms up nicely and revs beautifully. This is the original number matching engine without any modifications from stock. The engine was both cosmetically and mechanically restored and hums along great.
Check out the underside pics and the engine bay pics! Flawless.
-TRANSMISSION
The 4 speed transmission is in wonderful shape. The shifter eases into gear without any drama and was just recently serviced and adjusted.
-SUSPENSION
Springs and shocks are in nice shape. No bangs, no rough ride, no clunks! Nice tight suspension!
-BRAKES
Confident pedal, great pressure with a firm positive stop.
-STEERING
Steering feels good, no excessive play or vibrations.
Let's continue to the exterior:
-PAINT and BODY
The paint is VERY nice and BRAND NEW. A 9 out of 10. Both underside and top side shine beautiful and present cleanly. The red paint is a recent very high quality repaint of the original color and is glossy, wet and looks stunning with only very minor flaws at best. Nothing large enough to even capture in pictures. The paint job was a windows out, trim off, and thoughtful job and presents very well. No signs of any accidents or damage. Since purchased, in already clean shape, much was done to take care of many of the details to make for a truly beautiful car.
-WHEELS/TIRES
Loads of tread on the tires, though they are a bit older. The wheel covers look very nice with only minor flaws.
-BUMPERS and BRIGHT WORK
The bumpers are in wonderful shape! Chrome is in wonderful shape as well.
-GLASS/WINDOWS
Not to let a pebble defeat this car, the windshield is great shape. The side and rear windows are clean and clear.

-CONVERTIBLE TOP
Totally factory correct and BRAND NEW custom made top and rear window fits great and looks good up or down.

-UNDERCARRIAGE:
No rust, beautiful shape and no stories. Check out the pics!
Onto the cabin:
-SEATS
The original black and red vinyl seats are in beautiful shape! No splits, no worn spots! Just wonderful original material in great shape! Really quite impressive how well it is has aged, but a great sign of the low miles! Consider time was spent to condition and preserve the vinyl as well.
-DASHBOARD
Beautiful shape with gauges working, no cracks or major flaws.
-DOOR PANELS
Original door panels in very nice shape and no major flaws and were redyed professionally to present nicer.
-STEERING WHEEL
The wheel is in nice shape with no cracks.
-CARGO SPACE:
The rear luggage space is clean and tidy! Front trunk is clean and shows no signs of wear.
The Experience:
This is such a treat to drive this little beauty! She motors happily along with her gorgeous red paint glistening in the sun sharing stories of its adventures. The car starts right up and settles into idle quickly! She has so much character and is one of the most enjoyable cars to drive of the era. The NSU has a good amount of room inside despite its size and feels airy and comfortable with the top down especially. She paces traffic no problem and turns on a dime! And the rarity! You may go to show once and a while and see an NSU Prinz. But you could bet the farm that you will not run into another NSU Spider often! It is one of the most fun cars to drive and puts a huge smile on everyone's face around you! The little single rotor is peppy and hums in that happy way a rotary does. With such a small amount of weight, only 1,500 lbs, to propel, the NSU feels about the pace of most British sports cars of the era. She looks good, drives well and is a very fine example in all regards!
Feel free to ask me any questions at all. Residents around the world I am happy to be flexible for your arranged shipper so that you can get your new car as soon as possible. International buyers are welcome. Our reserve price is very reasonable and considerably (CONSIDERABLY!) less than what we have into the car.
My standard disclaimer/mantra for any car regardless of service or price: The car is sold with as-is with no warranty. I am not inspection service and my representations of the car are made on a best efforts basis. Like all pre-owned private sale cars, you are buying as-is. You are buying a used car. Eventually every car will break, if you find one that doesn't please let me know. I do my ABSOLUTE BEST to offer only cars that are of TOP NOTCH service. I am not a dealer, just a guy who loves NSU (among other cars) and hope to pass along my passion and fervor for these cars. That said if ever you encounter an issue I do my best to provide advice, direction or even parts if I have them. Please understand that it is a used car and will have minor signs of use. That means please do not expect a showroom brand new car. Please adjust your expectation level to that of a 40,000 mile 51 year old car, but however is above average for it's year. This is solid miles for NSU of this year, but please just remember that no 40,000 mile car is perfect. It is though a clean, nice NSU! Please note, I have done my best to explain and describe this car, but that does not mean that I could have missed something or have not fully described something because it is very small and considered general light wear and tear. It is impossible to list every detail of a car so the most material and obvious things are discussed. Please only bid if you intend to buy. If you would like to have an Ebay 3rd party mechanic service check out the car I MORE than welcome it. Please have the car checked out before bidding and not after, if you intend to use that service. And please, if you would like to utilize this service, contact me with more than a couple days left in the auction so we can arrange schedules. It is your responsibility to have the car inspected during the auction and not after and waiving that right is at the buyer's discretion. Please check your local laws and registration procedures before buying. Buying over the internet can be scary sometimes! I get it, because I am an enthusiast too!! For that very reason, I am more than happy to answer every and any question you may so you know 100% what you are buying. But, please ask any and all questions ahead of purchase! All sales are final, you are buying as-is, the sky is blue, etc, etc. Sorry to have to give the boring speech. Please feel free to ask any and all questions!! . Please feel free to ask any and all questions