Top 5 Audis of the 1960s
Audis of the 1960s were different than the cars we know today, but they established the brand and led Audi to the U.S. market.
The Audis of the 1960s resulted from the merger of Auto Union, DKW, and NSU in January 1969. Officially known as Audi NSU Auto Union AG, the new company’s model lineup included the air-cooled, rear-wheel drive NSU Prinz, water-cooled four-cylinder, front-wheel drive Audi 60 and Audi 100, and the futuristic rotary engine NSU Ro 80.
As a result of the merger, Audi emerged as a separate brand for the first time since the 1930s. The company set its sights on the North American market, launching the Audi 80 and 100 and leveraging Volkswagen’s extensive U.S. dealer network. In return, Volkswagen got the futuristic NSU Ro 80 and K70 to bolster its product line. The result was a diverse collection of cars, including the five on this list which helped put Audi on the map.
5. NSU Ro 80
The NSU Ro 80 is significant because it was the first production car to use the Wankel rotary engine. Compared to the NSU’s other offerings, the aerodynamic styling looked futuristic. The rotary engine was powerful by NSU’s standards, making 113 hp from 995 cc’s of displacement. This output, with the combination of aerodynamics and a lightweight body, gave the Ro 80 a top speed of 112 mph.
The Ro 80 enchanted people with its styling and roomy interior. Unfortunately, the Wankel rotary engine was not ready for prime time. It burned a lot of oil and suffered from premature apex seal failures. These problems pushed NSU to the edge of bankruptcy, causing the company to abandon the Wankel and license it to Mazda. Had NSU straightened out these issues or gone with a conventional piston engine, the Ro 80 might be revered today like the Citroen DS. Instead, only 37,398 units from 1967 to 1977.
