Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.

Wankel Story I heard last night...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 04-10-2008, 09:20 AM
  #1  
"Autobots Roll-Out..!"
Thread Starter
 
Bumble_Bee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wankel Story I heard last night...

Yes, I'm aware I'm reviving and old thread, but I have an interesting story to tell... to me at least

My sister and I are walking out of the Altamonte Mall last night. In front of us is an older gentlemen walking along with who appears to be his grandkid. He murmers something as he's looking at my car. At that moment, I disarm my car and as he notices the lights flash he turns around to see me walking toward my door. He says to me, "You got a really good looking car!" I was just telling her, "That's a really good looking RX-8"

I thanked him and thought he knew it was an RX-8 because he might have read it on the rear badges...but Negative...

He starts telling me that as a young boy he remembers his next door neighbor working on an engine that he had invented (that he had named the Wankel) and was trying to make it work. He also mentioned his neighbor bringing over a miniature sized Rotor to show his dad how it was supposed to work. They actually let him play with it and he and his brother would get their fingers pinched trying to get it around.

His neighbor later gave up on his invention and sold it to the Japanese, which he then says.. "That's what you're running in that engine now..!" He winked and went on his way...
Old 04-10-2008, 09:24 AM
  #2  
Registered
 
SideOfBacon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Under The Bridge
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
cool story, thanks for sharing
Old 04-10-2008, 09:25 AM
  #3  
Registered User
 
Rems31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mississauga, ON
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Bumble_Bee
Yes, I'm aware I'm reviving and old thread, but I have an interesting story to tell... to me at least

My sister and I are walking out of the Altamonte Mall last night. In front of us is an older gentlemen walking along with who appears to be his grandkid. He murmers something as he's looking at my car. At that moment, I disarm my car and as he notices the lights flash he turns around to see me walking toward my door. He says to me, "You got a really good looking car!" I was just telling her, "That's a really good looking RX-8"

I thanked him and thought he knew it was an RX-8 because he might have read it on the rear badges...but Negative...

He starts telling me that as a young boy he remembers his next door neighbor working on an engine that he had invented (that he had named the Wankel) and was trying to make it work. He also mentioned his neighbor bringing over a miniature sized Rotor to show his dad how it was supposed to work. They actually let him play with it and he and his brother would get their fingers pinched trying to get it around.

His neighbor later gave up on his invention and sold it to the Japanese, which he then says.. "That's what you're running in that engine now..!" He winked and went on his way...
ummm which thread are you reviving?? you started a new one...

so he knew Felix Wankel??
Old 04-10-2008, 09:41 AM
  #4  
gas kilometerage
 
mikesol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: vancouver bc
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, Felix Wankel was born in 1902 and only died in 1988, so it's very possible for an older man from Germany to have been his next door neighbour.

Or it could be something he made up. I'd rather believe he didn't, though.
Old 04-10-2008, 09:57 AM
  #5  
Registered User
 
Red Devil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bumble_Bee
His neighbor later gave up on his invention and sold it to the Japanese, which he then says.. "That's what you're running in that engine now..!" He winked and went on his way...
Wankel never really gave up on it. And if that guy knew him, he'd have to have been German or lived in Japan - most likely. This is an oversimplification of events...

The Wankel Corporation in conjunction with N.S.U. had rights and the original patents to the engine, with our current design patented in the mid 50s - there's a very comprehensive patent also filed around '62. Mazda licensed it from Wankel but never owned the rights. Wankel also lived in Hiroshima for many years.

And Wankel was a proponent of a housing that rotated around a fixed rotor. Can't remember the guy's name, but an engineer at NSU is the one that changed the orientation - which Wankel didn't like but had no choice to agree as under his design every time you changed the spark plugs you had to rebuild the engine. And some think this Wankel engine is high maintenance!
Old 04-10-2008, 10:01 AM
  #6  
Registered User
 
CERAMICSEAL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: atlanta ga
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I hate to say it but it sounds more than fishy. Either the whole thing is made up or the old man is mistaken. Did he speak with an accent (I don't recall seeing that) and where did he claim to live? Felix Wankel wouldn't have named it the 'Wankel' either. The story didn't say he lived next to Dr Wankel.

Sorry to destroy the theory.

Seal.
Old 04-10-2008, 10:11 AM
  #7  
Registered User
 
Red Devil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Misinformation Director - Evolv Chicago
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CERAMICSEAL
I hate to say it but it sounds more than fishy. Either the whole thing is made up or the old man is mistaken. Did he speak with an accent (I don't recall seeing that) and where did he claim to live? Felix Wankel wouldn't have named it the 'Wankel' either. The story didn't say he lived next to Dr Wankel.

Sorry to destroy the theory.

Seal.
Agreed. All the patents are filed as "Rotary Piston Engines" or something of that sort. I've read/researched probably near all of them from that time period (U.S. filings) and never once recall it being referred to as the "Wankel" engine.
Old 04-10-2008, 11:03 AM
  #8  
Registered
 
SideOfBacon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Under The Bridge
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CERAMICSEAL
I hate to say it but it sounds more than fishy. Either the whole thing is made up or the old man is mistaken. Did he speak with an accent (I don't recall seeing that) and where did he claim to live? Felix Wankel wouldn't have named it the 'Wankel' either. The story didn't say he lived next to Dr Wankel.

Sorry to destroy the theory.

Seal.
He related to Mr hybrid? or even the SAME person
Old 04-10-2008, 12:51 PM
  #9  
Registered
 
devildog1679's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't think this is a story an old mn will make up.
Old 04-10-2008, 01:35 PM
  #10  
Hit & Run Magnet
iTrader: (3)
 
kersh4w's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DC Area
Posts: 6,690
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
agreed.

most often than not, old people dont have anything to prove to anyone. must be nice.
Old 04-10-2008, 01:39 PM
  #11  
Registered User
 
Rems31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mississauga, ON
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
or he could be senile and thinks that this actually happened :-P
Old 04-10-2008, 02:58 PM
  #12  
on his 3rd rx8
iTrader: (3)
 
dozer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: santa ana, ca
Posts: 6,034
Received 10 Likes on 5 Posts
^^^^^^AHAHAHAHAH LMFAO!!!!!!!! dude good story, sound like something you would see in a movie...
Old 04-10-2008, 03:22 PM
  #13  
One Shot One Kill
 
xsnipersgox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by casedogg
My sister and I are walking out of the Altamonte Mall last night. In front of us is an older gentlemen walking along with who appears to be his grandkid. He murmers something as he's looking at my car. At that moment, I disarm my car and as he notices the lights flash he turns around to see me walking toward my door. He says to me, "You got a really good looking car!" I was just telling her, "That's a really good looking RX-8"

I thanked him and thought he knew it was an RX-8 because he might have read it on the rear badges...but Negative...

He starts telling me that as a young boy he remembers his next door neighbor working on an engine that he had invented (that he had named the Wankel) and was trying to make it work. He also mentioned his neighbor bringing over a miniature sized Rotor to show his dad how it was supposed to work. They actually let him play with it and he and his brother would get their fingers pinched trying to get it around.

His neighbor later gave up on his invention and sold it to the Japanese, which he then says.. "That's what you're running in that engine now..!" He winked and went on his way... And then my mom called and she sounded all scared and she said 'You're movin with your auntie and uncle in Bel Aire I whistled for a cab and when it came near the license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror, if anything I could say that this cab was rare, but I thought naw forget it I whistled for a cab and when it came near I whistled for a cab and when it came near The license plate said "Fresh", and it had dice in the mirror. If anything I could say that this cab was rare. But I thought man forget it yo homes to Bel-Air
I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8 And I yelled to the cabbie 'yo homes smell ya later' Looked at my kingdom I was finally there. To sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel-Air

Old 04-10-2008, 04:08 PM
  #14  
Registered
 
fahrfegneugen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Wash/Idaho
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Easy test, you should have talked German to the guy
Old 04-10-2008, 08:22 PM
  #15  
Rotary Powered Countryboy
 
04RX8man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 4,811
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
it's still sweet to think it's true though
Old 04-10-2008, 09:47 PM
  #16  
"Autobots Roll-Out..!"
Thread Starter
 
Bumble_Bee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by casedogg
My sister and I are walking out of the Altamonte Mall last night. In front of us is an older gentlemen walking along with who appears to be his grandkid. He murmers something as he's looking at my car. At that moment, I disarm my car and as he notices the lights flash he turns around to see me walking toward my door. He says to me, "You got a really good looking car!" I was just telling her, "That's a really good looking RX-8"

I thanked him and thought he knew it was an RX-8 because he might have read it on the rear badges...but Negative...

He starts telling me that as a young boy he remembers his next door neighbor working on an engine that he had invented (that he had named the Wankel) and was trying to make it work. He also mentioned his neighbor bringing over a miniature sized Rotor to show his dad how it was supposed to work. They actually let him play with it and he and his brother would get their fingers pinched trying to get it around.

His neighbor later gave up on his invention and sold it to the Japanese, which he then says.. "That's what you're running in that engine now..!" He winked and went on his way... And then my mom called and she sounded all scared and she said 'You're movin with your auntie and uncle in Bel Aire I whistled for a cab and when it came near the license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror, if anything I could say that this cab was rare, but I thought naw forget it I whistled for a cab and when it came near I whistled for a cab and when it came near The license plate said "Fresh", and it had dice in the mirror. If anything I could say that this cab was rare. But I thought man forget it yo homes to Bel-Air
I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8 And I yelled to the cabbie 'yo homes smell ya later' Looked at my kingdom I was finally there. To sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel-Air

I think your record skipped...

Cute thought though.....
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
theblinkof
Series I Trouble Shooting
33
10-04-2023 05:24 PM
jgsnake
General Automotive
2
07-30-2023 10:26 AM
05rx8mazda
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
18
11-28-2015 09:42 AM
Tweaked Tay
Series I Trouble Shooting
10
09-25-2015 07:54 AM
Austin22
New Member Forum
5
09-23-2015 04:46 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Wankel Story I heard last night...



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:03 AM.