NSU Prinz I - 1958

The NSU Prinz is an automobile produced in West

Germany by the NSU Motorenwerke AG. The car was built

from 1957 to 1973, and received a model change in 1961

(the old model was continued until 1962).

NSU Prinz 30

The    first    post    war    NSU    car    appeared    at    the    Frankfurt    Motor    Show    in    September    1957 accompanied   by   the   advertising   slogan   "Fahre   Prinz   und   Du   bist   König"   ("Drive   a   Prince   and   you're a king"). After a pilot run of 150 preproduction cars, volume production began in March 1958. The   first   generation   Prinz   was   available   with   a   saloon   body   featuring   an   upright   roof   line   and seating   for   four   people.   The   doors   opened   wide   enough   to   permit   reasonable   access   even   to   the rear   seats,   although   leg   room   was   severely   restricted   if   attempting   to   accommodate   four   full sized   adults.   In   addition   to   a   luggage   compartment   accessed   via   a   hatch   at   the   front   of   the   car and   shared   with   the   spare   wheel   and   fuel   filler,   there   was   a   narrow   but   deep   full   width   space behind the rear seat sufficient to accommodate a holiday suitcase. The   noisy   two-cylinder   600   cc   20   PS   (15   kW;   20   hp)   engine   was   located   at   the   back   where   it drove   the   rear   wheels,   initially   via   a   "crash"   gearbox.   Later   versions   gained   a   four-speed   all- synchromesh    gearbox.    Contemporaries    were    impressed    by    the    brevity    of    the    maintenance schedule,   with   the   engine,   gear   box   and   final   drive   operating   as   a   single   chamber   and   all lubricated   by   means   of   oil,   added   through   a   filler   in   the   rocker   box   cover.   There   were   just   two grease   nipples   requiring   attention,   positioned   on   the   steering   kingpins.   The   engine   was   also commended   in   contemporary   reports   for   its   fuel   economy   and   longevity.   Although   noisy,   the engine offered impressive flexibility, recalling NSU's strengths as a motorcycle manufacturer. In   1959,   a   little   coupé   was   added,   the   Sport   Prinz.   NSU   received   government   approval   to   build the Prinz in Brazil in the late 1950s, but nothing came of the project.

1958

Engine 583 cc 2 cylinders Power 20 HP Top speed 105 km/h Lenght/width 3,15 m/1,42 m Weight 496 kg