1963 Messerschmitt Kabinenroller / Roadster

3-wheeled 1963 Messerschmitt KR200 Kabinenroller with a 191 cc Fichtel & Sachs two-stroke single-cylinder engine with a four-speed transmission. The car has a "dual mode" ignition. where the engine can be started in reverse. making use of all four speeds.
This microcar has been hand-rebuilt to 100% condition using 100% original parts. Includes new tires. paint. and all-new leather interior. The car is in Germany. Duty and freight must be covered by the purchaser in addition to the sales price.
From Wikipedia:Messerschmitt. temporarily not allowed to manufacture aircraft. had turned its resources to producing other commodities. In 1952. Fend approached Messerschmitt with the idea of manufacturing small motor vehicles. These were based on his Fend Flitzer invalid carriage.
The first of Fend's vehicles to enter production at Messerschmitt's Regensburg factory was the KR175. The title Kabinenroller means "scooter with cabin". While the Messerschmitt name and insignia were used on the car. a separate company. incorporated as Regensburger Stahl- und Metallbau GmbH. was created to manufacture and market the vehicle.
The KR200 replaced the KR175 in 1955. While using the same basic frame as the KR175 with changes to the bodywork (notably including wheel cutouts in the front fenders) and an improved canopy design. the KR200 was otherwise an almost total redesign. The rear suspension and engine mounting were reworked. and hydraulic shock absorbers were installed at all three wheels. Tire sizes were enlarged to 4. 00×8.
Retailing for around DM 2. 00. the KR200 was considered an instant success with almost 12. 00 built during its first year. A maximum speed in excess of 90 km/h (56 mph) despite a claimed power output of only 10 PS (7. 4 kW; 9. 9 hp) reflected the vehicle's light weight.
In 1956. Messerschmitt was allowed to manufacture aircraft again and lost interest in Fend's microcars. Messerschmitt sold the Regenburg works to Fend who. with brake and hub supplier Valentin Knott. formed Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH Regensburg (FMR) to continue production of the KR200 and his other vehicles.
In 1957. the KR200 Kabrio model was released. featuring a cloth convertible top and fixed side window frames. This was followed by the KR201 Roadster without window frames. using a folding cloth top. a windscreen. and removable side curtains. A Sport Roadster was later offered with no top and with the canopy fixed into place so that the driver would have to climb in and out at the top of the car.
Production of the KR200 was heavily reduced in 1962 and ceased in 1964 as sales had been dropping for a few years. The demand for basic economy transport in Germany had diminished as the German economy boomed. A similar situation developed in other parts of Europe such as in the manufacturer's biggest export destination. the United Kingdom. where sales were particularly affected by the increasing popularity of the Mini.

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