The Messerschmitt Kabinenroller has a fascinating history. Designed by Fritz Fend, it was based on his humbly named... Fend Flitzer, a "carriage for invalids" that became so popular on the market that able-bodied drivers were snapping them up.

So Fend decided to go ahead and build a real microcar. Of course, such a small and light vehicle soon proved to be surprisingly sporty, and the Kabinenroller became a much sought-after product. Messerschmitt, happy to be back in business after the post-war restrictions, was nevertheless quickly annoyed when production of these cars began to encroach on their return to aerospace. As a result, examples produced after 1956, such as this one, were manufactured by Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Regensburg.

This impressive example is presented to us in excellent condition, as part of an extensive collection of microcars. It's a fine example that has survived to the present day - and a curious piece of mid-century history.

BEFORE BUYING

This sale is subject to Car & Classic's terms and conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, which means that consumer rights arising from European consumer protection legislation do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic's terms and conditions.

✓ We require a non-refundable fee to be paid if you are the lucky winner of the auction or if your bid is accepted. Please refer to our FAQs and terms and conditions for specific fees.

✓ This vehicle is "sold as is", on an "as is, where is" basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and it is customary to carry out a full vehicle inspection prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer or tender price, as specified in the advert.

✓ We want the transaction to go as smoothly as you do, which is why UK-registered cars and motorbikes offered for sale on Car & Classic are HPI checked to ensure they have no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and are not financially pledged, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are registered as written off as part of a total loss at the time the advert is placed on Car & Classic and provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the status of the vehicle and it is always worth carrying out a full vehicle history check before making an offer on it.

✓ Buyers are responsible for the collection or delivery of the vehicle. Importing vehicles may incur additional customs duties and import taxes. If you wish, we can recommend a third party transport company who can assist you. For more details and to speak to the team, email auctions@carandclassic.com.