1959 Messerschmitt KR200

In Post-War Germany, aircraft manufacturing was restricted, forcing Messerschmitt to find alternative engineering projects. Aircraft engineer Fritz Fend created an inexpensive yet sporty little car with an airplane fuselage shape with tandem seating configuration. Under the Fahrzeug und Maschinenbau GmbH (FMG) parent company name, the Kabinenroller, which translates to a rolling cabin, was equipped with a two-stroke, single-cylinder engine initially displacing 173cc. It grew to 191cc for the KR200 of 1955. To start the engine, a rope was pulled. An optional electric starter was available, becoming standard equipment from 1954.

Coupe
Chassis #: 70712

Inside was a steel bar that controlled the steering. There was a gearshift lever on the side of the cockpit had a secondary lever to operate the clutch. The throttle was controlled by a twist-grip on the left handlebar. To go into reverse, the engine was stopped and then restarted, giving it the same four gear ratios available in reverse as it did in forward motion. The only pedal in the car was used to operate the brake on all three wheels using cables. In 1954, an additional pedal was added to operate the clutch.

In 1955, a KR200 was sent to the Hockenheimring to break the 24-hour speed record for three-wheeled vehicles under 250cc. During the 24 hours, it broke 22 international speed records in its class, including the 24-hour speed record, which it set at 64 mph.

In 1958, the small KR200 gained a fourth wheel to the rear. Wearing an FMR badge rather than Messerschmitt, the TG had a 494cc air-cooled twin-cylinder two-stroke engine positioned transversely over the rear wheels.

Coupe
Chassis #: 70712

The KR 200 was an economical means of transportation and was attractive due to restrictions placed on fuel and steel consumption in post-war Europe. It was estimated to get over 80 miles per gallon. During its first year of production, nearly 12,000 examples of the Kabinenroller were built. Production ceased in 1964 after approximately 30,000 KR200s had been produced.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019