New Exhibit: The Wankel Rotary Engine: Innovation That Never Went Mainstream

Opening January 10, 2026 and running until April 30, 2026, the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum will debut its newest exhibit, The Wankel Rotary Engine: Innovation That Never Went Mainstream. We’re excited to share a preview of what’s ahead.

The exhibit will showcase a remarkable lineup of rotary-powered vehicles, including the NSU Spider, NSU Ro80, Mazda Cosmo Series II, Citroën GS Birotor, and two motorcycles, the Norton Commander and the Hercules W2000. These rare machines highlight both the promise and the challenges of one of automotive history’s most daring inventions.

Felix Wankel: The Inventor
Behind the rotary engine was Felix Wankel (1902–1988), a German engineer with an unshakable curiosity about mechanics. In the 1950s, he introduced a revolutionary design: instead of pistons moving up and down, his engine used a rotating triangular rotor inside an oval-shaped chamber.

The design was compact, efficient, and smooth, with fewer moving parts than a traditional piston engine. Its advantages, higher power output, reduced vibration, and lighter weight, caught the attention of manufacturers eager to push the boundaries of performance.

Mark your calendars. From January 10 through April 30, 2026, explore the story of “The Wankel Rotary Engine: Innovation That Never Went Mainstream.”