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In North America, NSU is perhaps best remembered for smaller cars like the Spider that made their way stateside in the 1960s, often sharing floor space with half a dozen other imports. (Pictured above is NSU 1200C Automatik.)
Before it was effectively folded into Audi in 1969 along with Auto Union, NSU is also remembered for producing the futuristic Ro80 sedan that went on to steer Audi design for decades, in addition to motorcycle models.
But the dormant marque itself, which celebrates 150 years since its founding this year, is about much more than the cars of its last few years as an independent automaker.
A new dual exhibit dubbed "Innovation. Audacity. Transformation. 150 Years of NSU," recently opened—staying until May 5, 2024—at the Audi Forum Neckarsulm, and at the German Motorcycle and NSU-Museum Neckarsulm.
Of course, Neckarsulm is where it all began in 1873, first as a knitting machine workshop Mechanische Werkstätte Schmidt & Stoll, which later evolved into NSU Motorenwerke AG.
"The history of the NSU brand is characterized by innovations, audacious decisions, and extraordinary personalities," said Natalie Scheerle-Walz, director of the Deutsches Zweirad- und NSU-Museum Neckarsulm.
The museum will host over 100 NSU items as part of this exhibition, including prototypes and record-setting vehicles, 85 of which are part of the museum's permanent collection.
"The NSU brand was only able to succeed because of its extraordinarily inspired people and faithful, loyal employees. For the new special exhibition in our museum, we are shining a spotlight on 16 of these NSU figures who made critical contributions to the company's development."
A second exhibition at the Audi Forum in the same city, meanwhile, will feature 19 cars, 22 motorcycles, mopeds, and motor scooters, in addition to nine bicycles. This exhibition will include the "aluminum egg," which is what the NSU type 8/24 PS car was called over a hundred years ago, as well as the very first Wankel engine.
A special anniversary magazine titled "Innovation. Wagemut. Transformation. 150 Jahre NSU" will also be published as part of this dual exhibition, with 12 articles covering 176 pages.
As for us, we'd just like to see a Ro80 at a concours event stateside.
Jay Ramey grew up around very strange European cars, and instead of seeking out something reliable and comfortable for his own personal use he has been drawn to the more adventurous side of the dependability spectrum. Despite being followed around by French cars for the past decade, he has somehow been able to avoid Citroën ownership, judging them too commonplace, and is currently looking at cars from the former Czechoslovakia. Jay has been with Autoweek since 2013.
