| Automobiles of Amelia Island Saturday, March 13, 2010 |
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| From the Estate of Mr. John O'Quinn | |||||||||
| 1956 Messerschmitt KR200 Kabinenroller | |||||||||
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10 hp, 191 cc Sachs two-stroke single-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission – forward and reverse, independent torsilastic rubber suspension, cable-operated mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 82" For many years following World War II, Messerschmitt AG, the German aircraft manufacturer, was prohibited from building airplanes. The company turned to other pursuits, one of which was the production of kits for building prefabricated houses, using aluminum alloy techniques derived from the aircraft industry. In 1952, they were approached by aircraft engineer Fritz Fend, who had designed a three-wheel invalid carriage. Fend built about 250 of these Fend Flitzers through 1951, many of which were purchased by able-bodied people as simply minicar transport. Fend’s deal with Messerschmitt called for assembly at Messerschmitt’s factory in Regensburg, Germany, with the vehicles carrying the Messerschmitt name. The first model was the KR175, the KR signifying kabinenroller or “enclosed scooter” and 175 for the metric displacement of its two-stroke engine. It featured tandem seating and an acrylic bubble canopy that tilted sideward for entry and exit. In 1955, an improved model, the KR200, was introduced. This had a 10-hp Fichtel and Sachs 191 cc two-stroke engine, an improved canopy and revised suspension. To reverse, the engine was merely re-started in the other direction, which provided four speeds backward as well as forward. That year a modified KR200 was run for 24 hours at the Hockenheimring race track, setting 22 international records for three-wheel vehicles. More than 60,000 were built through 1964, by which time the fortunes of Europeans had improved to the point that minicars of this type were no longer popular. Messerschmitt had returned to the aircraft business in 1956 and lost interest in the kabinenrollers, so later assembly was carried out by Fend’s own company, Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH. This Messerschmitt KR200 was restored quite some time ago. Although it is presentable, it does show signs of aging. It is painted a teal shade of blue with a yellow vinyl interior and runs on whitewall tires. The canopy has a few cracks, and some of the moldings are lifting off the body, although it is believed some of the trim may be original. It could be used as is or serve as the basis for a more extensive restoration. The small car category is quickly becoming a must-have addition to any eclectic collection, and this delightful Messerschmitt is no exception. |
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