NSU sports prinz
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.
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.
Description
Technical
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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: 2.310CHASSIS
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 mBRAKES
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: BoschDIMENSIONS 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
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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 - 12Late: 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