[TR] Triumphs Digest, Vol 1, Issue 360

[Wayne Lee]

Phil, Here's something on the Russian Rotaries evidently counterfiet: Not 
very surprising.
http://www.rotaryaviation.com/rotaryhistory.htm
Quote From:
"One of the most mysterious Wankel programs started behind the Iron Curtain 
during Cold War days: that of the Soviet/Russian automaker VAZ (now Avtovaz) 
of Togliattigrad.  VAZ began building Fiats under license as Zhigulis 30 
years ago; they have been sold as Ladas in the West.
The Russians expressed interest in the rotary in the '60s and sent 
technicians to NSU in Neckarsulm, West Germany, in 1974.  VAZ began 
development in 1976 and in late 1980 came an announcement of a 
limited-edition 2-rotor Lada."

"The D-200 may not be legally marketable in the West.  I have found no 
evidence that VAZ or any other Soviet entity got a license from NSU/Wankel 
in the '70s.  Despite mentions of rotary Ladas, no specs for any Soviet 
vehicle with a Wankel ever appeared in any of the standard reference sources 
such as World Cars.  Believe me, I've looked.  I have searched Russian books 
on vehicles and engines, including Russian-language Zhiguli repair manuals, 
at the huge Victor Kamkin bookstore in Maryland but have found absolutely no 
reference to VAZ's rotary efforts--though aside from licensing issues, the 
KGB and military uses may also have mandated keeping them secret."

End Quote:

Cheers,

Wayne



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <pethier at comcast.net>
To: "Wayne Lee" <motorcarriage at charter.net>; "Triumph List" 
<triumphs at autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 3:21 PM
Subject: Re: [TR] Triumphs Digest, Vol 1, Issue 360


> From: "Wayne Lee" <motorcarriage at charter.net>
>> I think the Wankel Engines would of had to have been  licensed by NSU.
Phil Wrote:
> It was reported at the time that it was Wankel themselves, who existed as 
>  >a separate entity, granting licences to car, snowmobile and motorcyle 
>  >makers.  I'm guessing that this was a successor entitiy to the NSU setup. 
>  >This may or may not be the company known as Wankel AG. 
>  >http://www.wankel-ag.de