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[greggearhead]

So, I am actively looking for a vintage beetle.  In my casual searches, I come across a 1971 NSU Prinz 1200. 

I know - I had the same reaction.  What the hell is that?  Think BMW 2002 shape, crossed with a little 2dr Corvair, rear engined inline 4 cyl, and air cooled.  Cool, I Know.  Now, they race the shit out of them in Europe and they weigh about 1300lbs.   Think German Mini. 

So - anyone know anything more about these, or have some crucial info for me?  Here's a pic of a modded one with flares. 

[Drull4VW]

That car looks almost like a trapy but i may be wrong. The trapy was a car the east germans owned when the berlin was was still up since not may things got imported into east germany.

[Jesus]

Trabi  aka Trabant

[Jesus]

Q. How do you double the value of a Trabant?
A. Fill up the tank!
===
Q. How do you turn a Trabant into a sports car?
A. Put sneakers in the trunk!
===
During a visit to the Leipzig Trade Fair a filthy rich oil sheikh heard that there is a car with a delivery time of over ten years. Since Rolls Royce usually delivers more quickly than that, it must be quite an exceptional car, which he would certainly have to have in his collection. Sight unseen, he made a request to order this Trabant. In Zwickau they're aware of this great honor, so they immediately change the running Five-Year Plan and bring forward a specimen. In the container, the car reaches the emirate in a handful of weeks. The happy oil sheikh immediately called his friends together, opened the container, and surprisedly exclaimed: "Gosh, they have incredibly long delivery times, but at least they send you a cardboard model in advance - and the best, you can even drive it!"
===
Sachsenring AG brought out a new Eco-Trabi: Immediately available for delivery, extremely cheap, extremely quiet, extremely environmentall y friendly - with electric power train. Problem: The extension cord is only 20 meters long and not in stock!
===
A customer walks into a Trabi dealer.
Customer: "I want a Trabi with a two-tone paint job."
Dealer: Yes, sir! It also comes with a turbocharged engine, antiskid braking, radial tires and a Blaupunkt stereo.
Customer: You're joking.
Dealer: Well, you started it!
===
Q. How many workers does it take to build a Trabi?
A. two, one to fold and one to paste.

[toxicavenger]

man that does look like a late 50's covair front end with a old b2000 body. i bet those rims are super sweet though. is this the pics of the car u saw? i think I saw one over by Sportscar in a towing yard one time.

[greggearhead]

Um, you're thinking Trabby - Trabant.  Totally different animal.

[Rukh]

The NSU Prinz is a cute little car, but for my money the variants to have are the NSU xx TT and TTS models - they were and are VERY popular in road racing. When these things are prepared for racing - like Bergrennen / Berg Cup for example (in which they are very popular), they handle incredibly and are very quick.

You've got the basics down - tiny aircooled rear-engined two-door sedan.The Prinz was the "regular" version of the TT - think Mk1 Rabbit vs. GTI and you aren't too far off. The Prinz 1200TT had the larger and more powerful four-cyl engine from the NSU 1200, which was a larger car. I don't think the Prinz was ever sold as "NSU Prinz 1200" without the "TT" designation, so try to figure out what this animal is.

Check to see if the car you found is indeed a NSU 1200TT - if so I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat. If it is the bigger car, the NSU 1200, I probably wouldn't buy it as they aren't as sporty or lightweight. Hope that helps.

[Rukh]

BTW, search Youtube for some entertaining videos of NSU TTs racing - they're pretty cool.

Here are some pics that I have saved in my albums:

[greggearhead]

man that does look like a late 50's covair front end with a old b2000 body. i bet those rims are super sweet though. is this the pics of the car u saw? i think I saw one over by Sportscar in a towing yard one time.

Nah, the one I am interested in is far away and not the TT, Josh.  I don't mind if it isn't the fastest in stock config. - as long as it isn't inherently against making faster.  

I thought I read they were 5x130 bolt patterns - that is almost enough to buy one right there.  

[Rukh]

Are you sure it's a Prinz 1200? I've never heard of one of those. Got any pics?

[greggearhead]

[Rukh]

Yup, that car is not a Prinz - it is a 1200. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is to look right behind the front wheelwell. On the Prinz (smaller), the rear of the wheelwells end right before the leading edge of the front door. On the 1200 (bigger), the wheelwells end and then there's a bit of space, then you've got the leading edge of the door.

I don't know if that made any sense, but try to figure it out - you'll see what I mean.

The difference isn't major. It's mostly just a bigger wheelbase, and mostly all in the (front) trunk area. But the shorter wheelbase of the Prinz is more conducive to tight turning. I suppose that any performance mods that could be done to a Prinz/TT/TTS could also be done to a 1200, if that's your thing.

FWIW, I've always dreamed of getting a TTS and putting a Honda Goldwing flat six in it...

[sad_rocc]

That motor looks like it would do quite well in my fastback!

[greggearhead]

Thanks Josh.  I am surpised at your depth of NSU knowledge, and at the same time, not surprised at all.  I see exactly what you mean on the wheelbase.  My biggest concern is the headlight/faux grille setup on the 1200.  Looks ugly.  I love the quad rounds and no fake grille. 

I'll keep talking with the guy and see where it goes.  Would be pretty cool to have, and doesn't look like a complete restoration project - more of a driver-rebuild project which is what I want. 

I entertained the idea of putting in a Type 1 engine, but there isn't room for a rear-engined setup, could probably do a mid-engined layout and put the motor where the rear seat is, but that would be a heck of a lot of re-engineering for rear suspension, likely.  I like the idea of a built NSU engine, but an older air/oil-cooled Suzuki GSXR1100 would be a monster and fit easy.  Eh, fun to bench-build projects. 

[Jesus]

but an older air/oil-cooled Suzuki GSXR1100 would be a monster and fit easy.  Eh, fun to bench-build projects. 

That would be some shit right there 

[Rukh]

I'd imagine the structure behind the front grille isn't all that different from that of the Prinz. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that you could probably swap the two out. It certainly wouldn't be any more involved than changing out the front clip of an aircooled bug. ALso, I believe the big chrome grille was US market only.

I think there are so many better options than going with a Type 1 motor in one of these. The aftermarket for these things in Europe isn't bad at all, but you'd have to get parts shipped. I personally think the motorcycle engine idea is the best way to go. I'm not saying that a hi-po 4 wouldn't make sense, but you just can't beat the sound of a flat-six. Thos Honda Valks with pipes sound like little 911s when they go by, and I just love em.

You know they make superchargers for those Honda flat-sixes, right?

[greggearhead]

You know they make superchargers for those Honda flat-sixes, right?

Yep, I talked to them about water-methanol.  Heh.