It’s easy to see the aircraft heritage instilled in the design of the Messerschmitt. The narrow, tandem-seating body, tapered tail, two front/one rear wheel design and, of course, the canopy: it all screams airplane. When Messerschmitt was temporarily halted from building airplanes after World War II, designer and engineer Fritz Fend brought up the idea of building small cars. It was appealing to Messerschmitt, as it would help them sustain operations and generate badly needed capital to rebuild. It would also serve to help Germany and Europe revitalize the economy by providing people with a small, affordable car. The first was the KR175, superseded by the KR200, a car that was vastly improved by chassis engineering and body-canopy design. With a low price point, the first year of KR200 production, 1955, saw nearly 12,000 units sold. This one was professionally restored in 2000 and has a unique, transparent, tinted glass bubbletop. Finished in white with red detailing, the dark top lends it an overall look of a football helmet. Featuring sliding side windows, the bubbletop tilts open on the right, allowing passengers reasonably easy ingress and egress, similar in nature to an airplane. The KR200 is powered by the Sachs 9.7 HP, 191cc single- cylinder two-stroke engine, with a progressive 4-speed transmission used to transmit that power. Another nod to the aircraft inspiration is the dashboard, pedal arrangement and steering wheel. Simple, clear, easy-to-read gauges are nestled within the dash, while a steering wheel looks a bit like an airplane yoke. A fabulous piece of automotive history, Messerschmitts are great conversation starters and can largely be credited with helping to restore Europe’s economy after the war. While Messerschmitt production ended in Germany in 1958, the company would license production in Ireland, England and Argentina among other nations, sustaining the economic restoration and providing transportation to people looking for inexpensive vehicles.
