Messerschmitt KR200

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Messerschmitt KR200

Overview

Manufacturer Messerschmitt

Also called Kabinenroller, Karo

 1955–1964
Production
 approximately 40,000

Designer Fritz Fend

Body and chassis

Class Microcar

Body style 1-door coupé

1-door convertible

1-door roadster

Layout Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive

Platform Messerschmitt Kabinenroller

Related Messerschmitt KR175

Messerschmitt KR201 (roadster)

FMR Tg500

Powertrain

Engine 191 cc Fichtel & Sachs two-strokesingle cylinder, operable in both

 directions of crankshaft rotation

Transmission Four speeds forward or reverse (depending on engine rotation),

sequential, unsynchronized.

Dimensions

Wheelbase 202.9 cm (79.9 in) [1]

Length 281.9 cm (111.0 in) [1]

Width 121.9 cm (48.0 in)[1]

Height 119.9 cm (47.2 in)[1]

Curb weight 230 kg (507 lb) (curb)[1]

Chronology

Predecessor Messerschmitt KR175

The Messerschmitt KR200, or Kabinenroller (Cabin Scooter), was a three-wheeled bubble

car designed by the aircraft engineer Fritz Fend and produced in the factory of the German
aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt from 1955 to 1964.

History[edit]
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.
[2] [3]

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
[4] [5]

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. [4]

The KR200 replaced the KR175 in 1955. While using the same basic frame as the KR175 with
[4]

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
[6] [7]

engine mounting were reworked, and hydraulic shock absorbers were installed at all three
wheels. Tire sizes were enlarged to 4.00×8. [6]

Retailing for around DM 2,500, the KR200 was considered an instant success with almost 12,000
built during its first year, which was the highest annual production for Kabinenroller models. A
[6][8] [6]

maximum speed in excess of 90 km/h (56 mph) despite a claimed power output of only 10 PS [8]

(7.4 kW; 9.9 hp) reflected the vehicle's light weight and low aerodynamic drag. An "Export"
[8] [9]

package included a two-tone paint scheme, painted hubcaps, a fully trimmed interior, a heater, a
clock, and a sunshade for the canopy. [6]

In 1956, around a year after West Germany joined NATO, Messerschmitt was allowed to
manufacture aircraft again and lost interest in Fend's microcars. Messerschmitt sold the
Regensburg 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. [10][11]

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. [10]

Production of the KR200 was heavily reduced in 1962 and ceased in 1964 as sales had been
[11]

dropping for a few years. The demand for basic economical transport in Germany had diminished
as the German economy boomed. A similar situation developed in other parts of Europe such
[12]

as in the manufacturer's biggest export destination, the United Kingdom, where sales were
particularly affected by the increasing popularity of the Mini.
24-hour record run[edit]

Messerschmitt record car

In 1955, in order to prove the KR200's durability, Messerschmitt prepared a KR200 to break the
24-hour speed record for three-wheeled vehicles under 250 cc (15.3 cu in). The record car had a
special single-seat low-drag body and a highly modified engine, but the suspension, steering, and
braking components were stock. Throttle, brake, and clutch cables were duplicated. The record
car was run on 29-30 August 1955 at the Hockenheimring for 24 hours and broke 22 international
speed records in its class, including the 24-hour speed record, which it set at 103 km/h
(64 mph) [6][13][14]

Messerschmitt Service Car[edit]

Messerschmitt, and subsequently FMR, made factory-converted Service Cars to order for the
automobile service industry. Similar in concept to the Harley-Davidson Servi-Car and
the Indian Dispatch Tow, the Service Car had a detachable tow bar and clamp, a revised front
suspension to accommodate the tow bar when in use, and a storage system inside the car to
accommodate the tow bar when not in use. The service technician would drive the Service Car to
the customer's car and, if the customer's car was drivable, attach the tow bar to the front of the
Service Car, clamp the other end of the tow bar to the bumper of the customer's car, and drive
the customer's car to the garage. When the service was complete, he would drive the car back to
the customer while towing the Service Car, detach the Service Car from the customer's car, and
drive back to the garage. Approximately 12 were built; only one is known to exist at present. [15]

Features[edit]
The KR200 incorporated several features unique to the KR line and its four-wheeled derivative,
the FMR Tg500. Externally, the narrow body, the transparent acrylic bubble canopy and low
stance were among the more obvious features.
Tandem seating[edit]
The narrow body, and corresponding low frontal area, was achieved with tandem seating, which
also allowed the body to taper like an aircraft fuselage, within a practical length. 10 PS (7.4 kW;
9.9 hp) propelled the KR200 to around 105 km/h (65 mph). The claimed fuel consumption of the
car was 3.2 L/100 km (87 mpg ). -imp
[9]

The tandem seating also centralized the mass of the car along the longitudinal axis which,
combined with the low center of gravity, low weight, and wheel placement at the vehicle's
extremes, gave the KR200 good handling characteristics A more minor advantage of tandem
[16]
seating was that it made an export version to countries that drive on the left unnecessary. An
"Export" model was built, but this denoted a more luxurious trim level. [6]

Bubble canopy[edit]

Messerschmitt Kabinenroller with Yılmaz Onay and Erol Keskin in Turkey. 1968

Entry to most KR models except the KR201 Sport Roadster and a corresponding Tg500 version
was through a canopy door hinged on the right side of the vehicle. The door included all the
windows (windshield, window frames on all but the Roadster models, folding top on Roadster and
Kabrio models, and acrylic bubble on other versions) and the frame in which it was set, extending
from the right side of the monocoque tub to the left. On Sport Roadster models, the canopy was
fixed and there was neither a top nor any windows at all, only a tonneau cover. [10]

KR200 Kabrio; the folding top replaces the bubble in this version.

The bubble top on the KR200 was simplified over that of the KR175 by the use of a larger curved
glass windshield that formed A-pillars with the side window frames. This allowed the bubble to be
simpler and more compact than the KR175 bubble, and it was consequently easier and less
expensive to produce. The windshield wiper, manual on the KR175, was electric on the KR200. [6]

Engine and transmission[edit]

The KR200 ran on a 191 cc (11.7 cu in) Fichtel & Sachs forced-air (fan) cooled single [17]

cylinder two-stroke engine positioned in front of the rear wheel, just behind the passenger's
[6]

seat. The engine had two sets of contact breaker points and, to reverse, the engine was stopped
[3]

and then restarted, going backwards. This was effected by pushing the key further in the ignition
switch than normal, whether intentionally or not. One result of this was that the KR200's
sequential, positive-stop transmission provided the car with the same four gear ratios available in
reverse as in forward movement. [6]

Controls[edit]
Instruments and controls of a KR201 Roadster

Apart from the dual-mode ignition, the KR200 had a steering bar reminiscent of that of an
aircraft. To steer the KR200, the driver would swivel the steering bar about its axis from the
[4][16]

horizontal (straight-ahead) position instead of rotating it as with a conventional steering wheel. [citation

The mechanism was connected directly to the track rods of the front wheels, providing an
needed]

extremely direct response best suited to small amounts of movement, unlike other common [4][16]

steering mechanisms which involved reduction gearing. The gearshift lever had a secondary lever
on it which, when actuated, would put the car in neutral regardless of what gear it had been in
before, although the transmission would have to be shifted back to first before the car would be
able to move from a standstill.
Unlike the KR175, the KR200 had a full set of pedals: clutch, brake, and accelerator. The brake
pedal still operated mechanical brakes using cables. [6]

See also[edit]
 Bubble car
 Canopy door
 Carver (automobile), another tandem-seating car
 Corbin Sparrow
 Heinkel Kabine
 Isetta
 List of microcars by country of origin
 Microcar
 Velorex

References[edit]
Citations[edit]
1. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e "Under the Bubble" p.177
2. Jump up^ "Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" p.163
3. ^ Jump up to:a b "Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" p.164-165
4. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e "Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" p.167
5. Jump up^ "Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" p.162
6. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j k "Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" p.168
7. Jump up^ Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum: 1955 Messerschmitt KR200
8. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Erinnern Sie sich? Messerschmitt KR 200: Menschen in Aspik", pp. 74 – 76
9. ^ Jump up to:a b Motorcycle Mechanics, May 1962, p.19, Messerschmitt advert - Cabin Scooters (Assemblies) Ltd., South
Wharf Road, London, W.2 Sole concessionaires for United Kingdom. "The Messerschmitt is a real hustler—top speed of 67
m.p.h. [sic], tremendous acceleration. The aerodynamic design gives excellent roadholding and also lowers costs. The
robust 200 cc engine does 87m.p.g.!". Accessed and added 2014-09-20
10. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" p.169
11. ^ Jump up to:a b Cawthon, B. "Fritz Fend's Marvelous Micro-cars"
 12. Jump up^ Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum: 1964 Messerschmitt KR200 Roadster
13. Jump up^ Canadian Driver: Messerschmitt, 1953–1962
14. Jump up^ Bobbitt, Malcolm, Bubblecars and Microcars, p.127
15. Jump up^ Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum: 1961 Messerschmitt Service Car
16. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Cleared for take-off", p.46
17. Jump up^ Motor Cycle Data Book 1960, p.107 Brief specifications of three-wheeled light cars George Newnes Ltd., London.
Accessed and added 2014-09-20

Bibliography[edit]

 Bobbitt, Malcolm (2003). Bubblecars and Microcars. Crowood Press. ISBN 1-86126-567-0.
 Cawthon, Bill (2008-03-01). "Fritz Fend's Marvelous Micro-cars". Promotex Online.
Cadabra. Archived from the original on 2004-04-15. Retrieved 23 August 2008. External link
in |work= (help)
 McKay, Malcolm (February 1996). "Cleared for take-off". Thoroughbred & Classic Cars.
King's Reach Tower, Stamford Street, London SE19LS, UK: IPC Magazines. 23 (5): 42–46.
 Vance, Bill (2003-04-19). "Canadian Driver: Messerschmitt, 1953–1962". Autos.ca. Trader
Corp. (formerly published by CanadianDriver Communications). Archived from the original on
2011-07-18. Retrieved 19 May 2012. External link in |work= (help)
 Wagner, Carl (Second Quarter 1973). ""Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" "Ja! das ist ein
Kabinenroller!" Carl Wagner takes off on Messerschmitt". Automobile Quarterly. 40 East 49th
Street, New York, NY 10017 USA: Automobile Quarterly. 11 (2): 162–
171. LCCN 62004005. Check date values in: |date= (help)
 Wagner, Carl (Second Quarter 1973). "Under the Bubble: A Short Flight in a Messerschmitt
KR200". Automobile Quarterly. 40 East 49th Street, New York, NY 10017 USA: Automobile
Quarterly. 11 (2): 172–177. LCCN 62004005. Check date values in: |date=(help)
 "Erinnern Sie sich? Messerschmitt KR 200: Menschen in Aspik". Auto Motor u. Sport. Heft 7
1976: Seite 74–76. 27 March 1976.
 "Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum: 1955 Messerschmitt KR200". The Bruce Weiner Microcar
Museum Inc. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
 "Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum: 1961 Messerschmitt Service Car". The Bruce Weiner
Microcar Museum Inc. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
 "Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum: 1964 Messerschmitt KR200 Roadster". The Bruce Weiner
Microcar Museum Inc. Retrieved 22 August 2008.

External links
 Video of driving KR200 on open road showing actual steering movements through bends and
several road junctions
 Video of forced-air cooling by engine-driven fan, ducted via aluminium shrouds on KR200
engine
 British club
 German club
 Messerschmitt Scale Models
 The Australian Microcar and Scooter Club