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1961 Messerschmitt Service Car

The Messerschmitt Service Car was produced in very small numbers, perhaps a dozen units total.
It had special suspension parts in the front, to mount a Messerschmitt Tow Bar.

The Tow Bar was connected with a clamp on the bumper of the towing car in front.
The clamp fits to several old style metal bumpers.
Note: when towing the Messerschmitt this way, it has the Status of a Trailer and needs special removable holders for reflecting triangles at the rear license plate.

Thus, a Service Technician could drive to the Customer in his Messerschmitt Service Car, hook the Schmitt to the Customer Vehicle and drive back to the Repair Shop. After the service on the customer car, it went the other way round.

The Service Car was popular for some Dealers, who had their own advertising and "Kundendienst" (Customer Service) printed on it.
In the car there were special holders to transport and secure the tow bar. The cars had no luggage rack and a special paint scheme.

Getting the parts and the license from German authorities to restore this car took more than a year.

The Tow Bar has been rebuilt by using the last 2 existing bars, found in 2 private collections. Both were incomplete.

The remade part is the only complete bar now.

Manufacturer: Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau, Regensburg, Germany

Model: KR-200 Service Car Motor: Fichtel & Sachs, 2-storke Body: Monocoque
Years Built: March 1958 - August 1964 No. Cylinders: 1 Chassis: None
No. Produced: ~ 12 Displacement: 191 cc Suspension Front: Rubber
No. Surviving: 1 Horsepower: 9.7 Suspension Rear: Rubber
Length: 2 830 mm Gearbox: 4 + rev Steering: Direct
Width: 1 270 mm Starter: Dynastart Brakes: Cable
Weight: 230 kg Electrics: 12 v 3 Wheels: 4.00 x 8"
Interior: 2 seats tandem Ignition: Coil Top Speed: 100 km/h

© 2002