You can buy these classics for €7,000, but you still have to put some work and love into them

The aim is not to take as long as the Liverpool boys did with Now and Then, but to be able to drive around next spring. A winter project, then. What are we going to fill the long winter evenings with if we have €7,000 to spend?

NSU Prinz 4L – 1971 – 78,930 kilometers – €6,495

This NSU Prinz was registered here from the year of John Lennon’s Imagine. ONK (Original Dutch License Plate), and that gives this classic extra charm. The provider reports that the compact German belonged to a collector and that the Prinz 4 underwent a partial restoration at the beginning of this decade. The paint shows some signs of age here and there, just like the interior, which is otherwise still in its original condition. The rest is starting and driving, where shifting and braking would be problem-free. In fact, with the 94-32-RA it is just a matter of dotting the i’s and crossing the i’s to prepare for spring. So it doesn’t mean much, a bit like Ringo’s singing.

We therefore think that this job can be done by almost any do-it-yourselfer, but what do you get with such a Prinz 4L? A car that was less than 3.5 meters short and was already quite outdated in 1971 (because it was introduced in 1961). NSU suffered greatly from the teething problems that the Ro 80 suffered from, so that there was no development money left for the small models. After being taken over by Volkswagen, they disappeared one by one until only the top model remained. With his death in 1977, NSU was over. The Prinz 4 design is reminiscent of a scaled-down Chevrolet Corvair, with its technical design adopted: engine (in this case a two-cylinder of almost 600 cc) and rear drive. The fuel tank is placed in the front, as is the spare wheel. This requires careful driving, but hey, you can’t be fast with this sedan. The chassis is relatively modern: independent suspension all around with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers. The red interior combines nicely with the beige paint. There is room for two adults and two smaller children. Details such as the horn ring in the steering wheel and the mud flaps make it an extremely charming whole. The asking price seems reasonable.

Signaling

Brand NSU
Type Priza 4L
Construction year April 1971
Mileage 78,930
Asking price €6,495
Where to buy? Wolf Auto, Almelo

Technical data
Engine 2-cyl. in line, 598 cc
Max. assets 22 kW/30 hp at 5,500 rpm
Max. couple 45 Nm at 3,250 rpm
Luggage compartment 280 l
Max. trailer braked nb
Avg. consumption approx. 1:14.3
0-100 km/h 33.5 sec
Top speed 118 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

BMW 2002 Touring – 1971 – 17,953 kilometers – €6,950

If you think tackling the above NSU is a piece of cake and/or it could be a lot sportier and more practical, then this partially restored, ex-Belgian BMW 2002 might be more your thing. In the advertising photos, the purple-painted carriage looks pretty cool. An advantage, because sheet metal is more difficult (and therefore more expensive) to find for a Touring than for the regular, eleven centimeter longer 02. With just under 7 grand, we once again stay within our budget, but you’re still a long way from there: check that out. interior! A big challenge awaits there. Great: you get a lot of parts!

But imagine when you have completed the job: a beautiful, classic BMW that was way ahead of its time. With fewer than 26,000 units produced between 1971 and 1974, this lifestyle combination proved to be little successful. It is waiting for you to go on nice rides, with or without a club, because our country has both a BMW Touring Club and a BMW 02 Club. By the way, this classic dates from the Touring introduction year ’71, which makes the naming incorrect: it should actually be called ‘Touring 2000’. Only since the model update carried out in 1973 (think of the James Bond title song Live and Let Die by, yes: Paul McCartney & Wings!), has the nameplate stated ‘2002 Touring’. 100 hp with an empty weight of 1,000 kilos – that means a lot in this Michelotti creation. Stronger: that hard 02 fans found the first 3 Series disappointing in 1975. Too comfortable, not enough challenging. That is why many 02s have been lost since the 1970s: if they have not been damaged, or have rusted. If you put your shoulders to the wheel and make this classic a top copy, it will easily be worth three times the asking price. So hard work pays off. And then you will experience plenty of driving pleasure – with considerable fuel consumption, that is.

Signaling

Brand BMW
Type 2002 Touring/Touring 2000
Construction year December 1971
Mileage 17,953
Asking price €6,950
Where to buy? Auto Mooij Classics, Beek en Donk

Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in line, 1,990 cc
Max. assets 74 kW/100 hp at 5,500 rpm
Max. couple 160 Nm at 3,500 rpm
Luggage compartment nb
Max. trailer braked 1,250 kilos
Avg. consumption approx. 1:8.5
0-100 km/h 11.0 s
Top speed 172 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Citroën Ami 8 Confort – 1970 – 70,255 kilometers – €6,499

If it could be more comfortable, then at a Kia, Mazda and Mitsubishi dealer, this 1970 Citroën Ami (the year of Let it be and George Harrison’s triple LP All things must pass) is waiting for someone who is interested. takes pity on the little Frenchman. The Ami 8 Confort was registered in the Netherlands in August of that year and if we look at the photos, we suspect that the 57-59-NZ had quite a hard life until recently. Racing stripes, no front bumper (it is loose in the car), a tow bar and especially the weak front suspension suggest this. A set of new suspension elements is in any case recommended, while this classic also needs to be visually well treated (including the right front fender). Fortunately, the Netherlands is a classic Citroën country and parts are still easily available and not expensive.

It is striking that the provider mentions a one-year Bovag warranty plus a fresh MOT (no longer MOT obligation, because it is more than 50 years old). With the 8 Confort (at the time the entry-level, the more luxurious version was called Club) you buy a classic that turns more heads than the well-known 2CV from which it is derived. This means: more interior space, more seating comfort, but due to the top-heavy body, there is considerable leaning in bends. At most, this detracts from comfort – the Frenchman does not tip over. The empty four-wheeler weighing 700 kilos is quite a job for the brave two-cylinder boxer in the front – its acceleration does not deserve that name. This family car is perfect for taking quiet trips through the countryside. You can take the basket with eggs with you – the soft suspension absorbs all shocks. In terms of work to be carried out, the Ami lies between the Prinz 4 (almost roadworthy) and the BMW Touring (at least a complete interior build-up). Who will keep this lovely cart standing neatly on its feet again?

Signaling

Brand Lemon
Type Ami 8 Comfort
Construction year August 1970
Mileage 70,255
Asking price €6,499
Where to buy? Autobedrijf G. Braber BV, Ede

Technical data
Engine 2-cyl. boxer engine, 602 cc

Max. power (petrol) 24 kW/32 hp at 5,750 rpm
Max. torque (petrol) 42 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 330 l
Max. trailer braked nb
Avg. consumption 1:14.3
0-100 km/h 33.0 sec
Top speed 123 km/h
All data according to factory specifications

Which of these winter projects suits you?

In summary: with the NSU Prinz 4 you are done quickly and you own a classic from a disappeared brand. BMW’s Touring requires the most work, but if you approach this carefully, you will be rewarded with a car that keeps up with current traffic and shows decent value. The Ami is right in between in terms of work, is the most comfortable of the three, but just as slow as the much smaller NSU. What would be your choice for a fun winter job, with or without the enjoyment of Beatles music?