Messerschmitt KR200 Kabinenroller
When Messerschmitt was prohibited from building aircraft after WWII, engineer Fritz Fend convinced the company to manufacture his Kabinenroller (cabin scooter) design. The KR200 featured aircraft-inspired construction with tandem seating for two under a Perspex bubble canopy that hinged upward for entry. Power came from a tiny Fichtel & Sachs single-cylinder two-stroke engine mounted behind the rear axle, driving the single rear wheel through a four-speed sequential transmission. The remarkable feature was that all four gears worked in reverse as well as forward, making the KR200 as fast backward as forward. Despite only 10 horsepower, the ultra-light construction allowed 90 km/h top speed and remarkable fuel economy. The aviation heritage showed in details like the hand-formed aluminum body and fighter-style controls.
Highly collectible with strong values. Check body for accident damage as aluminum is expensive to repair. Two-stroke engine is simple but needs premix oil-fuel. Canopy mechanism must work smoothly. Parts availability is limited but specialists exist. Original paint and interior command premiums. Tg500 Tiger four-wheeler is extremely rare and valuable. Many were converted to electric power in recent years.
41,190 units produced from 1955-1964. Earlier KR175 had smaller 175cc engine. A rare four-wheeled version called FMR Tg500 Tiger was built 1958-1961 with 500cc twin engine. Production ended as prosperity returned and buyers wanted conventional cars. Original factory in Regensburg built both aircraft and bubble cars.