yes!

 

yea, GM, benz, a whole bunch of companies were working on them for a while... the aerovette concept originally had a 3 rotor in it the first time it went on display. And no one can forget the NSU lol

 

The way I understand it, AMC was going to use GM's rotary, which was also supposed to go in the Vega. GM cancelled the program, and both cars were screwed over.

 

Yes! I knew that.

In the late 60's and very early 70's, the Wankel was thought to be the "engine of the future" and all the major players had big R&D programs. On the eve of the '73 oil embargo, I believe the GM offerings were less than a year away from being built and sent to dealers.

 

[quote name='1988RedT2' date='Mar 14 2005, 10:57 AM']Yes! I knew that.

In the late 60's and very early 70's, the Wankel was thought to be the "engine of the future" and all the major players had big R&D programs. On the eve of the '73 oil embargo, I believe the GM offerings were less than a year away from being built and sent to dealers.


[/quote]



Ahh, you said it before I could. I got a very informative "Rotary" Book for X-mas from a friend.



I read some of its history, and there were MANY companies interested in the Rotary engine from the start. It was during an era where Pistons were a lot less reliable and they felt an engine with less reciprocating parts would be more efficient, and the whole idea of a constant spin was extravagant!



So, many companies invested some money/time and of course had Idea's/Plans...but to produce a mass amount of these meant changing all their facilities, factories, etc.



Matter-of-Factly, the only reason Mazda didn't pull out was because it had invested TOO MUCH into it. It's kinda odd to read of Mazda's "Love" of the rotary, when you know in the back of your mind that they only stayed with it because they couldn't afford not to in the beginning...

 

I doubt the reasons conjectured above are the full story. What about the big one; emissions?

 

[quote name='Jeff20B' date='Mar 14 2005, 03:37 PM']I doubt the reasons conjectured above are the full story. What about the big one; emissions?


[/quote]



Wow, you doubt it was the full story? How'd you guess?!?!? I mean, i thought most novels/books were 1-3 paragraphs long too!



Haha, J/M. Yes, emissions too. I left that out because....I forgot.

 

They had emissions testing in the 60's?

 

Im not aware of it in the 60's. Catalytic converters werent even a requirment until 72 or 74? some where in there.

 

I was under the impression that it was fuel consumption/lack of efficiency that kept the rotary engine out of other automobile manufacturer's projects