by Racer86
29. January 2009 03:08
As rear engine week draws to a close there is, for me, one car that we could not miss out of the line-up especially when it earned itself the nick-name "Heckschleuder" or "Tail Spinner". I’m talking German, air cooled-cool and not of the Peoples Wagon variety.
OK, so it may not be a pretty as a Contessa or as well known as a Beetle but it really is a brilliant car. I am of course talking about the NSU TTS!
’64 saw the introduction of the new NSU platform; a larger car than the out going Prinz 4, the new model came in 1000 and later 1200 flavours with the option of TT and TTS spec in ‘65. Offering four seats and plenty of luggage space in front, it was a great means of affordable family transport. Practicalities aside, the underpinnings had everything going for them too; independent suspension front and rear combined with light weight (700KGs dripping wet!) made for sports car embarrassing cornering ability.
Being of an engineering persuasion, it’s the NSU’s power plant that really does it for me. In a world of push rods and cast iron the NSU was bringing a chain driven OHC, all aluminium 4 cylinder to the party. Despite NSU having their routes in knitting machines, no such comparison can be made to the lively little 4 pots. Essentially two motorbike engines sharing a common crank (you can make out the gap in the in the middle of the head) these engines can be tuned to give over 120bhp from just 1 litre! The larger 1300cc unit fitted to the TT even featured twin spark plugs!
The top spec TTS was fitted with a 997cc engine fuelled by twin 40 Solex carburettors. To make the most of this spectacular breathing capacity an optimised inlet manifold and bigger valves were employed. As the fuel made its way into the barrels of little 997cc it was greeted by forged pistons and duly crushed to the tune of 10.5:1! To meet the additional cooling needed an oil cooler was located on the under the front bumper for maximum air flow.
This combination of great suspension, tunable engines and light weight did not go unnoticed by the racing fraternity. The NSU TT and TTS enjoyed great success in hill climbs and circuit racing. The NSU even went on to launch the well known Spiess Tuning Company (now famous for their success in Formula 3 and Touring cars). Don’t take my word for it, this video from the NSU TT Cup will tell you everything you need to know about how good these little cars are on the black stuff...
RSM has the scoop on a very special NSU; keep your eyes peeled for coverage later on in the year!
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