As far VW Beetle rivals go, obvious candidates include the Mini, Morris Minor, 2CV and at a stretch the Fiat 500. Yet, given its head, there was another rear engined, air-cooled German contender that could have proved a far bigger potential threat to the lovable Bug…

Years before the Neckarsulm factory turned its attention to small Audis and the Porsche 924, its production line was involved in something that given a suitably gale force back wind and a bit of good fortune would have become a real threat to Beetle sales. Not just because it featured a rear mounted air-cooled engine, but because it was precision made to the same exacting German standards as the Beetle. That car was the NSU Prinz…

The first Prinz broke cover in the 1950s and was sold under the slogan ‘Fahre Prinz und Du bist König’ – ‘Drive a Prinz and you’re a King’. However, with its clattery two-cylinder 598cc engine and crash gearbox, it wasn’t exactly a hit and it looked more ‘frog’ than ‘Prince’. The Prinz 30 was better and the Prinz 4 from 1961, despite having the same 598cc engine as its predecessor, was another big leap in the right direction with its transatlantic styling cues, and the fact that it featured fully independent suspension at each corner. Bear in mind at this time the Beetle was still running on torsion bars…

Despite looking every bit the Beetle bashing part, UK sales were slow – not helped by the fact that its price tag of £597 was a little over £30 more than the diminutive Mini’s. Moreover, lack of a decent dealer network did nothing to reassure British buyers – although if our memory serves us well, some VW outlets also doubled up as NSU agents as well.

In 1963 the two-cylinder Prinz was replaced by the new air-cooled 996cc four-cylinder Prinz 1000 which boasted slightly larger dimensions, more refined styling and an all-synchromesh gearbox. It sold relatively well and with the option of disc brakes all round it was still technically ahead of the Bug. The LS from 1965 was even more appealing with its thick pile carpets and exceptionally efficient heating – another trump card over the Beetle.

The same year saw the introduction of the ‘warm’ TT version which had a more powerful 1085cc engine, disc brakes and twin headlamps. The real revelation though came in the form of the indecently ‘hot’ 1000TTS which first appeared in 1967 with twin choke carbs, front oil cooler, high compression engine and a wilder cam which put power up to a totally creditable 70bhp, enabling it to top the ton. A meagre 2402 1000TTS models were made before production stopped in 1971. Remember, the most powerful Beetle at this time was the recently launched 44bhp 1500…

The 110 model with a 1098cc engine was made from 1965-’67 and in 1967 the Prinz 1000 was replaced by the new five-bearing 1172cc Prinz 1200 (along with the 1200TT). This model soldiered on until 1973 when it was eventually replaced by the front engined, water-cooled Audi 50, which as we all know evolved into Polo.

Ironically, it was NSU’s lust for innovation that led to its eventual downfall; the ground breaking but essentially flawed Ro80 drove the company into financially ruin, making it easy prey for VW who took the small German firm under its wings in 1969. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened to the Prinz had it been given a fair crack at the small car market during the ’60s…

Technically, the Prinz was always one step ahead of the Beetle – but it failed to win the hearts of the masses like its more popular German rival. It was oddball and largely ignored by the majority of the motoring public. Today, there’s a small but loyal following and a basic Prinz could be yours for as little as £2000. Of course the sporty models will always hold more interest – so a TT might start at £10,000.

As a postcript, a friend’s dad had a Prinz 1000 back in the late ’70s. It was red and I remember that the paint finish was incredible. I loved all the little details like the delicate rear lamps, the curvy wing tops and the fact the engine seemed ludicrously accessible compared to the Beetle. Funnily enough he swapped it for a Beetle and has been driving VWs ever since…

Ian

The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage.