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1953 Messerschmitt KR-175

In 1952, Prof. Willy Messerschmitt needed a project to keep his RSM division busy, and a timely visit by his former employee Fritz Fend with a concept for a tandem two-seat vehicle resulted in a deal being struck. By the summer of 1952 a prototype was ready. Called Fend Kabinenroller FK-150, it included all the elements of the first production Messerschmitts except for the plexi dome made up of several pieces, and the 150cc motor.

Production began in February 1953, but early feedback indicated that the car was far from perfect: the suspension was very hard, it was noisy and rattled, and the hand clutch didn't come off well in practice. By June of 1953 some 70 modifications had been made.

These early examples are very rare, and this is one, with its complicated rear suspension, hand clutch, open chain and narrow rear seat

Manufacturer: Regensburger Stahl- und Maschinenbau, Regensburg, Germany

Model: KR-175 Motor: Fichtel & Sachs, 2-stroke Body: Steel
Years Built: March 1953 - March 1955 No. Cylinders: 1 Chassis: Tube
No. Produced: 15,089 Displacement: 175cc Suspension Front: Rubber
No. Surviving: ~50 Horsepower: 9 Suspension Rear: Rubber
Length: 2 820 mm Gearbox: 4 Steering: Direct
Width: 1 220 mm Starter: Kick Brakes: Cable
Weight: 180 kg Electrics: 12 v (2 x 6 v) 3 Wheels: 4.00 x 8"
Interior: 2 seats tandem Ignition: Coil Top Speed: 90 kph

© 2002