NSU Prinz was a series of low budget cars made in Germany. It was available in three different generations between 1957 to 1972. The first-generation Prinz remains one of the classic German vehicles. These were 2-door sedans available as compact vehicles. Let us see about the 1957 NSU Prinz.
Engines
The NSU Prinz was unveiled as a compact vehicle after World War II. It gained attention after its display at a motor show in Frankfurt. The rear-engine vehicle was built around an air-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine with RWD. As the NSU Prinz was designed for fuel economy, the vehicle’s speed was not great. It offered a top speed of 65mph which was good for a compact car. As it was a lightweight model, the NSU Prinz offered high endurance and handling.
Technology
Starting from mechanical features, the NSU Prinz was designed with great technology. The vehicle’s engine had an air cooling system which provided airflow and avoided heat issues. It had a front independent suspension which came with telescopic dampers and coil springs. These made way for better handling and resistance. An OHV was added based on the NSU motorcycle technology. The vehicle had a 4-speed gearbox which was also advanced for its era.
Interior Features
A compact vehicle in the 1950s didn’t have premium features. NSU Prinz was one of those rare vehicles with luxury and sporty features. Right from seating to styling, everything was designed well. The vehicle had manual windows with manual steering. It had advanced features like warning lights, speedometer, and gauges. It had cloth upholstery and bucket seats. These features attracted everyone including the families. The sale of NSU Prinz I gradually increased in the following years. The luxury features were great for its time.
First Post War Car
This model was NSU’s very first vehicle after World War II. After an appearance at motor show in Frankfurt, it went into production. With amazing features and durable engines, the vehicle did great sales. It went to become one of the best selling models of NSU. The vehicle was also sold in three different generations. Success of Prinz I made way for II and III models.
Rear Engine
NSU Prinz was a unique model as it had its engine behind the rear axle. Seeing a rear-mounted car was rare in the 50s. With seating for 4 passengers, the air-cooled rear engine worked well. There were no coolant and radiators which increased the ground clearance. These increased the mileage and handling for the Prinz. NSU also promoted it aggressively with a slogan, “Fahre Prinz und Du bist König” which means ‘Drive a Prince and You are a King”.
Affordable
The original NSU Prinz cars were affordable. It was targeted towards families and buyers who wanted a cheap car with luxury features. NSU sold it for around $900 USD. The first-generation models sold around 1,700 units. After 3 years, the sale of NSU Prinz reached its pinnacle. The next generation models had refined styling with innovative engineering. Today, it is available in collector markets around the USA and UK markets.
