1962 Messerschmit KR200
Registration no. 376MJO
Chassis no. 78174
Engine no. 3383434

Introduced in 1953 as the 'Fend', after its co-designer Fritz Fend, the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller microcar was soon being marketed under its manufacturer's name, the change coinciding with a switch from the original's 148cc Fichtel & Sachs engine to a 174cc unit. Sited at the rear, the single-cylinder two-stroke produced a modest 9bhp, enough nevertheless to propel the lightweight and aerodynamic KR175 to around 55mph. The Plexiglas canopy, so reminiscent of those of Messerschmitt's wartime aircraft, hinged sideways to enable access for the two occupants who sat one behind the other, tandem style. Tandem seating and handlebar controls were retained for the 191cc KR200 of 1955, which featured revised bodywork, an improved turning circle and a floor-mounted accelerator and clutch. By reversing the electric starter the KR200's engine could be made to run backwards, thus providing four reverse gears and the hair-raising possibility of 60mph going backwards! Later models carried the diamond-shaped FMR badge, standing for Fahrzeug und Maschienenbau GmbH Regensburg. Production ceased in 1964 after some 30,000 KR200s had been made.

The outstanding Messerschmitt KR200 offered here was supplied new in 1962 by John Avery & Son of Oxford. Kept on the road by the first owner until 1974, by which time it had covered only 8,000 miles, the Messerschmitt was then sold to the Sharp Family Collection Museum where it was kept until 2005 when the collection was sold. Since then it has been sympathetically re-commissioned and professionally re-sprayed to return it to pre-museum, scratch-free condition. In 2011, '376 MJO' completed a run to Remagen in Germany together with nine other Messerschmitts without missing a beat. The current odometer reading is 10,200. We are advised that the car is totally rust free and still retains it original interior, dome, dealer's label, tax disc holder and key fob. Probably one of the best and most original of its kind in existence, this beautiful KR200 is offered with old-style logbook, current road fund licence, V5 registration document and fresh MoT.