Vehicle Description
Messerschmitt's charming bubble-topped microcars were born out of
the necessity for cost-effective transportation in the wake of
World War II and a temporary halt on aircraft manufacturing. In
1952, the company entered into a collaboration with Fritz Fend, an
aircraft engineer who had previously designed a three-wheeled
invalid carriage. By 1951, Fend had produced about 250 of these
Fend Flitzers, which were often used by able-bodied individuals
seeking economical transport. Under this arrangement, Messerschmitt
began assembling Fend's design at their Regensburg factory in
Germany, branding the vehicles with the Messerschmitt name. The
initial model, known as the KR 175, was dubbed "Kabinenroller" or
"enclosed scooter," with the "175" referring to the engine's metric
displacement. The subsequent KR 200, introduced in 1955, featured
upgrades including a 10-horsepower, Fichtel & Sachs
191-cubic-centimeter two-stroke engine, a redesigned canopy, and
enhanced suspension. A notable aspect of the Messerschmitt
Kabinenroller was its unique reverse driving feature. Instead of
using a traditional reverse gear, the car employed a mechanism
called Dynastart-a starter-generator system provided by SIBA
Elektrik GmbH. This innovative system allowed the vehicle to
reverse by stopping the engine, shifting the key to the reverse
position, and restarting the motor in the opposite direction. The
reverse operation was facilitated by a second set of ignition
points, which were timed to allow the crankshaft to rotate past Top
Dead Center in reverse. The exquisite 1961 Messerschmitt KR 200
Cabriolet featured here has undergone a meticulous full nut and
bolt restoration, showcasing a period-authentic ivory exterior
complemented by a black canvas canopy and a chrome luggage rack for
added practicality. It rides on proper 4.80 x 10 tires mounted on
painted steel wheels, adorned with original FMR hubcaps. The
interior has also been immaculately restored, featuring red vinyl
upholstery with white piping. The dashboard remains simple and
tidy, featuring the iconic yoke steering wheel and housing only an
MPH gauge and odometer. The engine compartment reflects the same
high-quality restoration standards, being exceptionally clean and
well-presented, which translates to excellent performance from the
two-stroke engine and smooth shifts from the 4-speed manual
gearbox. Overall, this KR 200 Cabriolet is a highly desirable and
well-represented example. Its charming, distinctive, and cheeky
appeal makes it a superb addition to any collection of microcars,
scooters, or any other grouping of fun, eclectic vehicles. Offers
welcome and trades considered For additional details please view
this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7755-1961-messerschmitt-kr200-cabriolet/
