In the decade following World War II, Messerschmitt AG was banned from building aircraft, so their manufacturing facilities were repurposed for creating other things. The idea to build a ‘kabinenroller’ (‘scooter with cabin’) was floated in 1952, and the KR175 entered production. In 1955 that was replaced by the model you see here, the KR200 – a fully-redesigned creation featuring a 191cc Fichtel & Sachs two-stroke single-cylinder engine.

After West Germany joined NATO, Messerschmitt began building planes again in 1956 and sold the Regensburg factory to the KR200’s designer, Fritz Fend, who continued to produce the model under the name of Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH Regensburg – you’ll spot the FMR badge on the nose of this car.

The example we have here is a 1960 model, and it’s a rather special one: subject to a full restoration, it’s had a new floor, sides, firewall and wings, as well as a new soft-top. The engine has also been rebuilt, with new piston rings, reconditioned crank, new steel conrod, bearings, clutch, oil seals, plus a stainless steel exhaust system – and it’s only covered running-in miles since. This is a lovely and high-end KR200 that’s ready to enjoy right away.
 

 

It’s a compact and intelligently organised cabin, accessible via lifting the side-hinged canopy roof. The driver enjoys a central position (which makes for a good pub boast, it’s like a pint-sized McLaren F1) with a larger bench seat behind. 

The trim is all in good condition, with side panels to match the seats, and complete rubber floor coverings. The dash design is delightful, with a handlebar steering arrangement and a surprisingly spacious footwell below. All very well presented, and just as a KR200 should be.

Finished in elegant ivory paintwork, the body restoration included a new floor, sides, firewall and fibreglass wings, with the steel panels correctly spot-welded as FMR would have done. Marque aficionados will spot a pair of extra rear lights, as the restorer opted to fit indicators and brake lights in the position of the original taillights. The soft-top has been replaced; it’s in very good condition and simple to raise, affix and lower.

The registration number in itself is rather valuable, and this is in fact the car’s correct original reg and is transferable. The wheels wear good tyres, the light lenses and window glass are all decent, and it’s a thoroughly attractively presented example overall.

The KR200’s engine is a notoriously characterful unit, and this one has received a lot of care and attention. Around 800 miles ago it was treated to a full rebuild, incorporating a rebore, new piston rings, reconditioned crank, new steel conrod, bearings, clutch, oil seals, plus a stainless steel exhaust system. So it’s just as it would have been from the factory, and it’s only covered running-in miles since, which should provide proper peace of mind.

This is an increasingly desirable model with a strong enthusiast following, and it’d be hard to find a more pleasing example on the market than this one. The restoration has been carried out to very high standards, taking care to follow the original factory specifications in terms of construction, while also modifying the lighting arrangement to satisfy modern MOT regs. So it’s a wonderfully presented example that’s also highly usable. How can you resist…? 

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