Details
1956 MESSERSCHMITT KR 200 CABRIOLET
Chassis no. 59104
Maroon with black hood and red interior.
Engine: Fichtel & Sachs two-stroke single cylinder, 191cc, 10.2bhp; Gearbox: four speed forward (and reverse), sealed-chain final drive; Suspension: swing arms; Brakes: three-wheel mechanical, cable operated.
Fritz Frend's Kabinenroller of the early 1950s was by far the most competent and usable of that generation of bubblecars which flourished in those spartan days. Taken up and productionised by the Messerschmitt company, whose most illustratious previous product had been the 109 fighter aircraft of revered memory, the little three wheeler with its aircraft-style lifting-bubble cockpit canopy sold briskly. It began life with a reversible 173cc engine which delivered a lusty 9bhp, two years later in 1955 displacement went up to 191cc, power to a swaggering 10.2bhp. In a vehicle as light as the KR 200 and with such minimal air resistance, it was enough to make possible a 24-hour record-breaking run at 63.9mph (103kmh) late in 1955. Fuel economy was something else: 50mpg driven fiercely, up to 87mpg if the driver exercised a modicum of self-control. Driving the KR 200 was perfectly easy, the only quirk being that the driver's handbook would refer to the "steering wheel" when what was provided was self-evidently a rotating handlebar. Reverse gear was achieved by reversing the rotation of the two-stroke engine, which meant it had four reverse speeds.
This thoroughly original-looking and beautifulully turned-out cabriolet was purchased by the vendor in 1993. It has been little used during his stewardship. The folding top on these models is just as neatly contrived as all other parts of this delightful vehicle and, open or closed, it offers spirited, enjoyable minimal motoring, ever a focus of attention wherever it appears.
Chassis no. 59104
Maroon with black hood and red interior.
Engine: Fichtel & Sachs two-stroke single cylinder, 191cc, 10.2bhp; Gearbox: four speed forward (and reverse), sealed-chain final drive; Suspension: swing arms; Brakes: three-wheel mechanical, cable operated.
Fritz Frend's Kabinenroller of the early 1950s was by far the most competent and usable of that generation of bubblecars which flourished in those spartan days. Taken up and productionised by the Messerschmitt company, whose most illustratious previous product had been the 109 fighter aircraft of revered memory, the little three wheeler with its aircraft-style lifting-bubble cockpit canopy sold briskly. It began life with a reversible 173cc engine which delivered a lusty 9bhp, two years later in 1955 displacement went up to 191cc, power to a swaggering 10.2bhp. In a vehicle as light as the KR 200 and with such minimal air resistance, it was enough to make possible a 24-hour record-breaking run at 63.9mph (103kmh) late in 1955. Fuel economy was something else: 50mpg driven fiercely, up to 87mpg if the driver exercised a modicum of self-control. Driving the KR 200 was perfectly easy, the only quirk being that the driver's handbook would refer to the "steering wheel" when what was provided was self-evidently a rotating handlebar. Reverse gear was achieved by reversing the rotation of the two-stroke engine, which meant it had four reverse speeds.
This thoroughly original-looking and beautifulully turned-out cabriolet was purchased by the vendor in 1993. It has been little used during his stewardship. The folding top on these models is just as neatly contrived as all other parts of this delightful vehicle and, open or closed, it offers spirited, enjoyable minimal motoring, ever a focus of attention wherever it appears.