1961 Messerschmitt KR200

Description

Just two owners from new; on display in a local Hereford dealership for 40+ years; showing just 50,273 miles with only 10 miles covered since 1979; runs and drives 

Dating from June 1961 this rather splendid Messerschmitt is a well-known car in Herefordshire having sat on display in a well-known and regarded Honda Dealer in Hereford for over 40 years.

The Messerschmitt KR200 was designed by aircraft engineer Fritz Fend at the Messerschmitt aircraft factory between 1955 and 1964, after progressing his own Fend Filtzer invalid carriage concept into the three-wheel bubble car we know and love, known as the 'Kabinenroller' (scooter with cabin). 

Feld sold the design to Messerschmitt who were temporarily not permitted to produce aircraft after WW2 but were keen to find work for their factory. The KR200 variant replaced the KR175 in 1955 and was almost a complete re-design.

Power comes from a 191cc Fitchel and Sachs single cylinder two-stoke engine which develops c.10Hp driving the single rear wheel via four sequential gears forward and reverse.  Some 30,286 KR200’s were built, but with the introduction of the Mini, demand for small cheap transport such as the KR diminished as the success of the Mini grew.

Inside the cockpit, we find snug seating for two with passenger behind the driver and a little storage space for nicknacks if two-up.

Lightly recommissioned following its long period in storage, we have had the car running and driving around our yard here at Brightwells, but it would no doubt benefit from a thorough going-over before being driven on the roads once more.

The history file includes the old style V5C showing just one former keeper prior to our vendor who acquired the vehicle in 1978 but did not formally register it to the business until 2005. 

The file also includes an original Messerschmitt price list for spare parts dated 1955; a selection of period Kabinews (International Federation of Messerschmitt Clubs) from the late 1970s; KR200 engine manual; original sales brochure and technical data; period road test; part exchange purchase form dated September 1978; two old MOTs dated June 1978 at 48,255 miles and September 1979 at 50,263 miles. The KR currently shows just 50,273 miles so it has only covered 10 miles since 1979.

A wonderful opportunity to acquire what must be one of the least-used and lowest-owner KR200’s offered for sale in recent times and something of a local Hereford mascot.  We expect the bidding to be exciting.

For more information contact - [email protected]