1961 Messerschmitt KR200
Highlights
- Beautifully presented original dome-top Kabinenroller
- Comprehensive recent service including new electronic ignition
- Bare metal respray 2 years ago
- Exceedingly rare with just 30,286 sold in total with very few remaining
- Original UK car
- Previous owners include the world-famous Bruce Weiner collection and the Sakibo Castle Carnegie Club
The Appeal
After World War Two, Messerschmitt were effectively forbidden from producing anything that was intended to go into the air and/or offer a military capability to the heavily sanctioned German economy. The result is that everything the factory provided for a decade was kept ground-level - and none more so than the Fend Microcars.
Designed off the back of Fritz Fend's 'Invalid carriages', the Kabinenroller was a steadily developing titan of the new, quirky microcar market, with their tiny wheelbase and equally tiny weight offering an impressive prospect for leisure and sports as readily as it did a cheap, accessible and low-tax daily driver.
By 1956, Messerschmitt was returning to aerospace - and they had gotten rather unimpressed with their factory floors being dominated by little bubble cars. As a result, later cars such as this one, despite being known as the Messerschmidt colloquially, were actually built by Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Regensburg.
This fine 1961 example is one of the second-generation KR200s, which offered a larger 191cc engine - offering effortless 60mph cruising. If you reversed the electric starter you could even do it backwards, which could well have been a candidate for one of the most terrifying experiences of mid-century European motoring!
With nimble performance and excellent road holding, this is one of the sportiest budget microcars of the era—and it is exceedingly rare to market. As it was part of the legendary Bruce Weiner collection and boasts a distinctive snakeskin and cream cabin, we have no doubt it'll garner plenty of interest.
The History and Paperwork
- Built in 1961 for the UK-market with British spec wings and 'Torpedo' headlights
- Purchased new in the UK and later moved to the USA to join the Bruce Weiner microcar collection in Madison, Georgia
- Professionally restored in America, including the engine being sent back to England for rebuilding by a marque specialist
- Replacement original steel body panels used as necessary, and exterior fittings renewed or refurbished
- Refinished in the original colour, and the interior reupholstered in cream vinyl and snakeskin trim
- Shipped back to the UK in 1997 and entered in the Bruce Weiner microcar auction at Christie's London, purchased by Peter de Savary for his microcar collection at the Sakibo Castle Carnegie club in Dornoch
- Here it offered a shuttle service for members arriving in helicopter or private jet
- Offered for sale at Bonham Goodwood Festival of Speed auction in July 2009 and sold to a private collector
- Resprayed in 2022
- Comprehensive recent service including new electronic ignition
- MOT exempt and last tested in 2009
The Condition
- Highly original example with lovely fresh paintwork
- Although no real restoration work was needed, the current owner in 2022 decided on a high-quality bare metal respray
- During this work, he reportedly found the body to be rust-free
- Indeed, we can't spot any signs of corrosion
- Distinctive aerospace-style 'dome top' in good order
- Brightwork is well presented
- Wheels and underside in good condition
- New rubber floor mat recently fitted
- Cabin is nicely presented with a very striking cream and snakeskin colour scheme
- This has been very nicely carried out, and we can't spot any rips or tears
- The distinctive steering 'handlebar' is in good order
- All instruments appear clean and legible
The Mechanics
- 2-stroke 191cc Sachs engine producing 10HP
- Manual transmission with four sequential gears forwards and four gears backwards, depending on engine rotation
- Engine bay appears in good order with no issues we can discern
- Recently fitted with electronic ignition
- Subject to a comprehensive full service only 10 miles ago
- The car is running well, although it occasionally jumps out of 2nd gear
- We've no other reports of any mechanical issues
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1961
- Make Messerschmitt
- Model KR 200
- Colour Blue
- Odometer 35,404 Miles
- Engine size 191
Listing Details
- Seller type Private
- Town Rotherham
- Location Yorkshire
- Country United Kingdom
The Gallery
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To take the hassle out of the whole process and to prevent any unnecessary squabbling we'll automatically decline anything less than 70% of the asking price so only offers that are worth considering will be accepted.
Make an offer listings include a “Make an offer” button. Simply click on this and enter the amount you’d like to offer and the seller will either accept, decline or counter. Easy peasy.
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