1957 Messerschmitt KR200

After the War, Messerschmitt was no longer permitted to produce airplanes. Instead, they turned their attention to the production of microcars.

Prior to receiving the Messerschmitt name, the microcar was known as the 'fend' after its co-designer, Frizt Fend. The KR175 Kabinenroller (a scooter with cabin) had a narrow body, a corresponding low frontal area, tandem seating, and handlebar controls. Power was from a two-stroke 148cc Fichtel & Sachs engine that offered 9 horsepower. The top speed was in the neighborhood of 55 mph, and fuel economy was reported to be 87 mpg. By the time production ended, nearly 11,000 examples of Messerschmitt's first microcar were built.

In 1955, an improved KR200 was introduced with a larger 191cc engine, revised bodywork, an improved turning circle, and floor mounted accelerator and clutch. With the tandem seating, weight distribution was centralized irrespective of occupants. This helped alleviate the problems with the Isetta's lop-sided engine arrangement and offered the tricycle with handling characteristics that outclassed its contemporaries.

The KR200 had four forward and four reverse gears and a top speed of 62 mph. They were available in the United Kingdom from 1955 and continued until 1964, after some 30,000 KR200s had been made.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2016