Friday, May 27, 2011
Summer is here!
Greetings everyone!
Summer has surfaced in Anchorage and time to start working on the Prinz again.
For my followers out there I was able to successfully find ALL the glass in Washington and had it shipped to Alaska this past fall. This was a huge hurdle and I am very happy to say glass is good.
Over the winter the glass was stored in a friends shed. Still trying to figure out the best way to set up my very small garage but progress is progress.
I hope to take some pictures over the weekend of the glass. Next step hunting down more bits and calling a couple of contacts.
Summer has surfaced in Anchorage and time to start working on the Prinz again.
For my followers out there I was able to successfully find ALL the glass in Washington and had it shipped to Alaska this past fall. This was a huge hurdle and I am very happy to say glass is good.
Over the winter the glass was stored in a friends shed. Still trying to figure out the best way to set up my very small garage but progress is progress.
I hope to take some pictures over the weekend of the glass. Next step hunting down more bits and calling a couple of contacts.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Prinz is going to bits!
I finally got to spend some time taking bits off of the Prinz. The front chrome bits are off, the mirror is off, the two front tires off and one of the headlights. Ran out of time before I could get the other headlight off. Good to save something for another day I guess.
Each of the bits as they come off are going into a zip locked bag that are labeled with the contents that will hopefully aid in the reassembly process. Having a box of each of the different sized bags and some different color permanent markers are very helpful in this process. These bags are then being carefully put into a large clear plastic box that will be separated by front, back or side of car. The wiring bits will be put where there is room. I just can't be organized all the time.
I also have started the search for some of the bits I am going to need. Currently I am trying to track down a hub puller. I would love to have a factory original but I think I might end up having to make one. Also I am starting to hunt for someone to do the bodywork. After thinking about it I have decided that I am going to farm that bit out to someone else. My garage is very small and I don't want to invest in all the bits I need to do it for this project. As much as I would love to say that I did every bit I do understand that it's just not going to happen right now.
You can see that there is some surface rust, and that the front end desperately needs just a few new bits!
On a non-NSU Prinz note I am very excited to also report that I am going to be taking a intro motorcycle class so perhaps I can add a two wheeled NSU to my collection some day too! Currently I have no idea how to ride a motorcycle something I am very excited to change very soon.Well back to the garage I go! Stay tuned NSU fans for the next exciting installment of the 1960 NSU Prinz blog!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tempted by the fruit of another....
Craigslist is EVIL! Ok so last night I almost came home with another toy. I found on craigslist (EVIL) a 1983 VW Westfalia for $750 that runs and drives! I went to go take a peek at it because what can I say I just can't help myself.
The thing was in great condition! I expected it to be like most of the other VW campers I have looked at. They tend to look more like Swiss cheese of rust rather than a whole piece of metal. But this one had NO cancer rust!
The downside was the fact that it was an automatic (not fun in finding parts for a rare transmission) painted black (who paints a VW camper black anyway), and a fiberglass top that was totally toast. I don't know what happened to that poor top but it was not pretty!
But alas the answer had to be no. We don't have room right now for another toy and I promised myself no more toys until the Prinz was done. Sigh...
So no Westfalia for me right now. I resisted the temptation and am back on track with my Prinz. Summer can't come fast enough so I can finish the garage to allow me to start to get to work on making the Prinz come alive once again!
I have a friend who's arm I have twisted to take some more pictures of my Prinz and will post them soon.
On another Prinz note I have to send a major shout out to Lior Baruch and his AMAZING 1965 Sport Prinz. You can check out his web site here:
http://www.nsuprinz.com/lior/default.asp
So stay tuned for the next exciting chapter of the 1960 NSU Prinz Blog!
The thing was in great condition! I expected it to be like most of the other VW campers I have looked at. They tend to look more like Swiss cheese of rust rather than a whole piece of metal. But this one had NO cancer rust!
The downside was the fact that it was an automatic (not fun in finding parts for a rare transmission) painted black (who paints a VW camper black anyway), and a fiberglass top that was totally toast. I don't know what happened to that poor top but it was not pretty!
But alas the answer had to be no. We don't have room right now for another toy and I promised myself no more toys until the Prinz was done. Sigh...
So no Westfalia for me right now. I resisted the temptation and am back on track with my Prinz. Summer can't come fast enough so I can finish the garage to allow me to start to get to work on making the Prinz come alive once again!
I have a friend who's arm I have twisted to take some more pictures of my Prinz and will post them soon.
On another Prinz note I have to send a major shout out to Lior Baruch and his AMAZING 1965 Sport Prinz. You can check out his web site here:
http://www.nsuprinz.com/lior/default.asp
So stay tuned for the next exciting chapter of the 1960 NSU Prinz Blog!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Rondy Inspiration
This winter there was a ton of projects that we had going on. Unfortunately none of them involved the poor little Prinz. The only action it got was being pushed back deeper into the garage to make room for the installers to come and put in our new garage door.
The house has new windows, doors and a fantastic new garage door that is NOT made of paperboard! This has significantly increased the warm air staying in the garage so next winter I might actually want to work out there.
Here in Anchorage its Fur Rendezvous time and the Antique Auto Mushers Club had a few cars in the parade yesterday that included a beautiful 1960 corvette and a very pretty Thunderbird. Seeing these cars on the road defiantly made me start thinking spring and how I need to get to work on the toy this summer! I would love to have the Prinz in the parade but not sure how the 12" tires would do on the snow coverd streets. Luckily I have some good friends who have offered to dress up as clowns and push it through the parade. Works for me!
Well that’s about all from this side of the world. I know it’s been forever since my last post but with Spring not far out now, even in Alaska, I hope to have more to report soon. My next mission? Try to find the glass!
The house has new windows, doors and a fantastic new garage door that is NOT made of paperboard! This has significantly increased the warm air staying in the garage so next winter I might actually want to work out there.
Here in Anchorage its Fur Rendezvous time and the Antique Auto Mushers Club had a few cars in the parade yesterday that included a beautiful 1960 corvette and a very pretty Thunderbird. Seeing these cars on the road defiantly made me start thinking spring and how I need to get to work on the toy this summer! I would love to have the Prinz in the parade but not sure how the 12" tires would do on the snow coverd streets. Luckily I have some good friends who have offered to dress up as clowns and push it through the parade. Works for me!
Well that’s about all from this side of the world. I know it’s been forever since my last post but with Spring not far out now, even in Alaska, I hope to have more to report soon. My next mission? Try to find the glass!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Repair Manual
WAHOO! The previous owner found the repair manual! It is very very very cool. It has great diagrams showing how to fix all sorts of things on the Prinz. It is a great tool will help me bring the Prinz back to life.And to set the record straight. No, I have never really done a restoration before. I have owned a number of weird cars that I have worked on here and there but this will be my first true restoration. I have been banned by the other half that this will also be my ONLY restoration until it is up and running on it's own. *sigh* There was one point in our life together that I had collected 5 random cars in various states of repair. Some people save animals, I want to save cars.
Last week I went up to the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. On the day I was there the Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska were showing off their cars. After talking to some of the members I plan on becoming a member myself. They offer lots of help, advice and knowledge of the world of car restorations. And I think I could use all of the above.
This Ford is owned by one of the Antique Auto Mushers members. It was a very sweet looking car. They did admit that antique cars are an addiction. I can defiantly agree to that! My dream house would come with a warehouse to store all my toys!The Prinz is my only toy car at the moment, but I also have a 1966 Skamper pop-up, and a fabulous Serro Scotty travel trailer. The Scotty was a pregnancy gift from my amazing other half. It is so great having a other half that gets it. The Scotty was the world's most perfect present for a car geek like me.
The plan for the Scotty is that it is to become my art studio. Living in a s
mall house means that in the winter it is very easy to heat. And being in Alaska that is ALWAYS a good thing. But it also means that there is little space for my other hobbies such as making Ukrainian Eggs, painting, quilting, and a number of other art activities. The Scotty will be the extra room just for me. I know that this is the NSU Prinz blog but updates from the Scotty will be include in here from time to time too.
mall house means that in the winter it is very easy to heat. And being in Alaska that is ALWAYS a good thing. But it also means that there is little space for my other hobbies such as making Ukrainian Eggs, painting, quilting, and a number of other art activities. The Scotty will be the extra room just for me. I know that this is the NSU Prinz blog but updates from the Scotty will be include in here from time to time too. Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A Little History
Taken from the Microcar Museum Atlanta GA
1960 NSU Prinz III
In 1955, the NSU engineering department was instructed to build a new small car. 7.5 million marks were borrowed to build a new plant for the project.
The car was ready for the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1957. Its attractive body carried a 583cc twin-cylinder 4-stroke motor which featured the technically interesting Ultramax cam-drive using eccentrics and rods.Production began in Mar. 1958, and in 1959 came the Prinz II which featured better trim and an all-synchro box. A high performance 30E (export) version gave 30 hp.
The Prinz III arrived in October 1960 with a new stabilizer bar and the 30hp motor, making it one of the fastest small cars of its time-at 120kph. This attractive car was also technically well sorted out and built.
It was succeeded in 1961 by the Corvair-like Prinz IV.
Volkswagen took over NSU, and then merged it with its Audi subsidiary to form Audi NSU Auto Union AG. The Neckarsulm plant is currently building certain Audi and Porsche models.
Manufacturer: NSU Motorenwerke AG, Neckarsulm, Germany
Model: Prinz III
Motor: NSU 4-stroke
Body: Steel unit body
Years Built: 1, II , III Sept.57 -1962
No. Cylinders: 2
Chassis: None
No. Produced: 95,000
Displacement: 583cc
Suspension Front: Coil
No. Surviving: N/A
Horsepower: 30
Suspension Rear: Coil
Length: 3 150 mm
Gearbox: 4 fwd. + rev.
Steering: Rack & pinion
Width: 1 420 mm
Starter: Dynastart
Brakes: Hydraulic.
Weight: 496 kg
Electrics: 12 v
4 Wheels: 4.40 x 12"
Interior: 4 seats
Ignition: Coil
Top Speed: 120 kph
1960 NSU Prinz III
In 1955, the NSU engineering department was instructed to build a new small car. 7.5 million marks were borrowed to build a new plant for the project.
The car was ready for the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1957. Its attractive body carried a 583cc twin-cylinder 4-stroke motor which featured the technically interesting Ultramax cam-drive using eccentrics and rods.Production began in Mar. 1958, and in 1959 came the Prinz II which featured better trim and an all-synchro box. A high performance 30E (export) version gave 30 hp.
The Prinz III arrived in October 1960 with a new stabilizer bar and the 30hp motor, making it one of the fastest small cars of its time-at 120kph. This attractive car was also technically well sorted out and built.
It was succeeded in 1961 by the Corvair-like Prinz IV.
Volkswagen took over NSU, and then merged it with its Audi subsidiary to form Audi NSU Auto Union AG. The Neckarsulm plant is currently building certain Audi and Porsche models.
Manufacturer: NSU Motorenwerke AG, Neckarsulm, Germany
Model: Prinz III
Motor: NSU 4-stroke
Body: Steel unit body
Years Built: 1, II , III Sept.57 -1962
No. Cylinders: 2
Chassis: None
No. Produced: 95,000
Displacement: 583cc
Suspension Front: Coil
No. Surviving: N/A
Horsepower: 30
Suspension Rear: Coil
Length: 3 150 mm
Gearbox: 4 fwd. + rev.
Steering: Rack & pinion
Width: 1 420 mm
Starter: Dynastart
Brakes: Hydraulic.
Weight: 496 kg
Electrics: 12 v
4 Wheels: 4.40 x 12"
Interior: 4 seats
Ignition: Coil
Top Speed: 120 kph
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