1968 - SBarro

Sbarro barquette NSU

In 1968, Franco Sbarro built a sports car powered by a 997 cm3 NSU engine modified by Spiess. This car, one of the first built by Franco Sbarro, disappointed him to such an extent that he did not include it in the numbering of his prototypes. Only one example was built, the price being too high.

photo Arthomobiles
The NSU barquette at the historic Ollon Villars hillclimb on September 9, 2010 (photo by Nicolas Jeannier, Arthomobiles.fr).

Late modifications

At the time, the NSU racer took part in just one race at Lignières. It was then stored for thirty years before being sold in 2006 to Mr. Sigg, who kept it until September 2011.

Following the sale in 2011, the model was restored and brought up to German racing standards. This involved modifications to the chassis, carburetors and exhaust system, which was protected to prevent burns and lost its "spaghetti" appearance. These changes affected the weight, which increased by 100 kg. Engine displacement is now 1300 cm3, with power remaining at around 100 hp.
In brief
1- One of the first two cars built by ACA Sbarro, along with the Dominique III
2- Only one race in thirty years
3- Too expensive at the time
Main sources
1- book "Franco Sbarro. La mécanique dans le sang. Tome 1"
2- Barnebys auction house website
  • NSU TT 997 cm3 four-cylinder engine
  • Approx. 105 hp
  • Engine in transverse rear position
  • Rear-wheel drive
  • Weight around 400 kg
  • Chassis from 1966 NSU TTS.
  • Price in 1968: CHF 18,000