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Germany
Sports Cars
1950s 1960s

NSU sports prinz

 NSU sports prinz
Overview
ManufacturerNSU
Production1958 to 1967
ClassSports
LayoutRear engine, rear drive.
EngineAir-cooled 2-cylinder
TransmissionFour-speed manual
Wheel base79.13 in, 2,010 mm
Length140.16 in, 3,560 mm 
Width59.84 in, 1,520 mm
Height48.62 in, 1,235 mm
Dry weight1,246 1b, 565 kg

 

The NSU Sport Prinz was a Air-cooled rear engine rear wheel drive 2-cylinder 2+2 two door coupe. Built in Neckarsulm, Germany, from 1958 to 1968 in different variants.

History

The NSU Sport Prinz was a Air-cooled rear engine rear wheel drive 2-cylinder 2+2 two door coupe.It is not going too far to suggest that the little NSU Sport Prinz was really a sheep in wolf's clothing, as its very stylish fastback Bertone coupe body concealed nothing more dramatic and effective than a two-cylinder 598cc engine.

PERFORMANCE:583cc

  • max power I(SAE): 36 hp at 5500 rpm
  • max torque (DIN) 33 1b ft, 4.5 kgm at 3250 rpm
  • max number of engine rpm: 6500
  • specific power: 61.7 hp/l
  • engine capacity 35.66 cu in, 583 cu cm
  • fuel consumption 45.5 m imp gal, 37.9 m US gal,
  • max speed 80.8 mph, 130 km h;
  • max speed in 1st gear: 18.6 mph, 30 km/h; max speed in 2nd
  • gear: 37.3 mph, 60 km/h; max speed in 3rd gear: 62.1 mph, 100 km/h
  • max 80.8 mph, 130 km/h
  • power-weight ratio: 34 lb/hp. 15.4 kg/hp
  • acceleration: O 14.8 sec; speed in top at 1000 rpm: 11.8 mph, 19 km/h. 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h)

For all that, it was still quite a notable little car, which found its own limited but steady market. Initially, the sports prince had the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine of Prince II, but with an increased output of 20 to 30 hp (22 kW) and a maximum torque of 4.5 mkg (44 Nm) at 3500 / min. This performance remained unchanged, as the beginning of 1961, the displacement increased from 583 to 598 cc. The maximum speed of the 565 kg heavy car was about 120 km / h. 

PERFORMANCE: 598CC

  • engine capacity 36.49 cu in, 598 cu cm
  • fuel consumption 53.3 m/imp gal, 44.4 m/US gal, 5.3 1 X 100 km
  • max speed 80.8 mph, 130 km/h
  • max power (SAE): 36 hp at 5,500 rpm
  • max torque (DIN): 33 1b ft, 4.5 kg m at 3,250 rpm
  • max engine rpm: 6,500
  • specific power: 60.2 hp/l
  • power-weight ratio: 34.6 lb/hp, 15.7 kg/hp
  • acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 23.3 sec, 0—50 mph (0—80 km/h) 14 sec
  • max speeds: 20.5 mph, 33 km/h in 1st gear; 37.9 mph, 61 km/h in 2nd gear; 59.7 mph, 96 km/h in 3rd gear; 80.8 mph, 130 km/h in 4th gear

The Prinz itself was NSU's own minicar design of the 1950s and, in the manner of the day, had a rear-engine layout. The Prinz, however, had its parallel twin-cylinder water-cooled engine mounted transversely behind the line of the final drive. The original car was an ugly little beast, and the Corvair-styled Prinz IV of 1961 came along after the Bertone coupe was finished. It was therefore quite remarkable that Bertone even took the trouble to make this silk purse out of what was undoubtedly a sow's ear.

The car's engineering was in steel, based on the pressed-steel floorpan of the at first. saloon, and included four-wheel independent suspension. Front wheel disc brakes were added to the specification from 1965.The chassis of the sports prince first came from Prince II . In autumn 1960, however, the coupe received the Prinz III chassis with longer suspension travel, front stabilizer and rubber extension springs the distribution of weightwas  44% to front axle,and  56% at rear axle. In 1964, it was adjusted to the Prince 4 and received at the front axle disc brakes instead of the previous drum brake Although not commercially important itself, it was significant because Bertone developed a spider version, and this was given the single-cylinder NSU Wankel engine to become the world's first Wankel-engined car to be sold commercially.
20,831 were built by then, of which 2,715 at Bertone.

NSU sports prinz car history

Specification overview

Engine and transmission: Two-cylinders, in-line, with single-overhead-camshaft cylinder head. Bore, stroke and capacity 76 x 66mm., 598cc. Maximum power 30bhp (DIN) at 5500rpm.; maximum torque 331b.ft. at 3250rpm. Four-speed gearbox in unit with engine and transaxle.

Chassis: Rear engine, rear drive. Unit-construction bodyshell, styled by Bertone. Independent front suspension by coil springs and wishbones. Rack and pinion steering. Independent rear suspension by coil springs, swing axles, and supplementary air suspension units. Front wheel drum brakes (discs from 1965), rear drums.

Bodywork: Pressed-steel coupe unit-construction bodyshell, with 2 + 2 seating. Length llft. 8.1in.; width 5ft. Oin.; height 4ft. 0.6in. Unladen weight 12251b.

Performance: Maximum speed 75mph. 0-60mph 27.7sec. Standing IA-mile 23.5sec Typical fuel consumption 42mpg. 

NSU sports prinz detail view

Categories
NSU
Title
NSU Sports Prinz (1958-1967)

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Vehicles launched in 1958 | German Automotive 1950s | German Sports Cars | Bertone | Sports Cars

Technical

Technical
  • NSU Sports Prinz Technical details and specifications (1958-1967)

    ENGINE: 583cc (early)


    rear, 4 stroke; cylinders: 2, in line, transverse
    bore and stroke: 2.95 x 2.60 in, 75 x 66 mm
    engine capacity: 35.66 cu in, 583 cu cm
    compression ratio: 7.5 : 1
    cylinder block: cast iron
    cylinder head: light alloy
    crankshaft bearings: 2; valves: 2 per cylinder, overhead, Vee-slanted, with rockers
    camshaft 1, overhead, driven by connecting rod
    lubrication: gear pump, full flow filter
    carburation: 1 Solex 30 PCI downdraft carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: air-cooled.

    ENGINE: 598cc (late)
    location rear, 4 stroke, transverse
    cylinders: 2, in line
    bore and stroke: 2.99 x 2.60 in, 76 x 66 mm
    engine capacity: 36.49 cu in, 598 cu cm
    compression ratio: 7.5
    cylinder block: cast iron
    cylinder head: light alloy
    crankshaft bearings: 2
    valves: 2 per cylinder, over-head, Vee-slanted, rockers
    camshafts: 1, overhead, driven by connecting rods
    lubrication: gear pump, full flow filter
    carburation: 1 Solex 34 PCI downdraught carburettor
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    cooling system: air-cooled.

    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: rear
    clutch: single dry plate
    gearbox: mechanical; engine-gearbox ratio: 2.08
    gears: 4+ reverse
    synchromesh gears: all
    gear box ratios (early): 1st 4.12, 2nd 2.21, 3rd 1.41, 4th 1, (Rev) 5.38
    gear box ratios (late): 1st 4.140, 2nd 2.210, 3rd 1.410, 4th 1, rev 5.380
    gear lever location : central
    final drive: hypoid bevel
    axle ratio: 2.310

    CHASSIS
    type integral
    front suspension: independent, wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar, telescopic dampers
    rear suspension: independent, swinging semi-axles, wide-based wishbones, coil springs, Prinzair auxiliary air rubber springs, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    rack-and-pinion
    turns of steering wheel lock to lock: 2.90.
    turning circle (between walls): 30.2 ft, 9.2 m

    BRAKES
    front disc (diameter 8.94 in, 227 mm)
    rear drum.

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    voltage: 12 V
    battery: 32 Ah
    generator type: dynamo, 130 W
    ignition distributor: Bosch

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT: 
    wheel base: 79.13 in, 2,010 mm
    front track: front track: 47.24 in, 1200 mm (early) 49.05 in, 1,246 mm
    rear track: 47.48 in, 1,206 mm rear track: (early) 47.24 in, 1200 mm
    overall length: 140.16 in, 3,560 mm
    overall width: 59.84 in, 1,520 mm
    overall height: 48.62 in, 1,235 mm
    ground clearance: 5.12 in, 130 mm
    dry weight: 1,246 1b, 565 kg dry weigh (early)t: 1224 1b, 555 kg

    © Motor car History

Service
  • NSU Sports Prinz Maintenance and Service Guide (1958-1967)

    Early: 583cc

    Fuel: petrol
    Engine sump, gear box and final drive oil: 2.1 imp qt. 2.5 US qt. 2.4 1, SAE 20 (winter) 30 (summer). change every 4700 miles, 7500 km
    Lubricating system capacity: 2.4 imp qt, 2.9 US qt, 2.75 1
    Greasing: every 4700 miles, 7500 km. 2 points
    Tappet clearances: inlet 0.004 in, 0.1() mm, exhaust 0.004 in, 0.10 mm
    Valve timing: (inlet) opens 50° before tdc and closes 75° after bdc. (exhaust) opens 80° before bdc and closes 40° after tdc
    Tyre pressure (normal load): front 21 psi, 1.5 atm, rear 24 psi. 1.7 atm.
    Tyres: 4.40 - 12

    Late: 598cc

    Fuel type : 85-90 oct petrol
    Engine sump, gearbox and final drive oil: 4.22 imp pt. 5.07 US pt. 2.41, SAE 20 (winter) 30 (summer), change every 4,700 miles, 7,500 km
    Lubricating system total capacity: 4.75 imp pt, 5.71 US pt
    Greasing: every 4,700 miles, 7,500 km, 2 points
    Tappet clearances: inlet 0.004 in, 0.10 mm, exhaust 0.004 in, 0.10 mm
    Valve timing: inlet opens 48° before tdc and closes 72° after bdc, exhaust opens 78° before bdc and closes 42° after tdc
    Normal tyre pressure: front 22 psi, 1.5 atm, rear 26 psi, 1.8 atm.
    Width of rims: 3.5"
    Tyres: 5.00 x 12
    Fuel tank capacity: 5.5 imp gal, 6.6 US gal
    Carrying capacity: 683 1b, 310 kg

    © Motor car History

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