For Sale: 1961 Messerschmitt KR200 in Saint Louis, Missouri

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/