1955 Messerschmitt KR200 (Kabinenroller or "cabin scooter")

A modern electric retromod version of this would KICK ASSSSSS

The Messerschmitt KR200 (Kabinenroller or "cabin scooter") is an iconic three-wheeled German microcar designed by aircraft engineer Fritz Fend and produced from 1955 to 1964. Born out of a post-WWII ban on German aircraft production, Fend utilized the Messerschmitt factory—and workers trained in aviation manufacturing—to construct a lightweight, highly aerodynamic bubble car that resembled a cockpit on wheels. [1, 2, 3]
Today, the KR200 is highly collectible, with recent market sales averaging around $30,832 for base models. [1]
Key Technical Specifications
  • Engine: 191cc Fichtel & Sachs single-cylinder, air-cooled two-stroke engine
  • Power Output: ~9.7 to 10.2 horsepower
  • Top Speed: Approximately 62 to 65 mph (100 km/h)
  • Fuel Economy: An efficient 87 to 100 mpg
  • Curb Weight: Exceptionally light at around 506 lbs (230 kg) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Quirky & Aviation-Inspired Features
  • The "Reversible" Engine: The KR200 has a unique sequential 4-speed manual transmission but no traditional reverse gear. Instead, to back up, you stop the car, push the ignition key in further to spin the engine's crankshaft in reverse, and restart it. This means you technically have four reverse gears as well. [1, 2, 3]
  • Tandem Seating: To minimize the vehicle's frontal surface area for optimal aerodynamics, the passenger sits directly behind the driver, mimicking a fighter jet layout. [1, 2]
  • Bubble Canopy: Passengers enter through a side-hinged acrylic or Plexiglas panoramic canopy. [1]
  • Steering Yoke: Rather than a round steering wheel, the car is controlled using an aircraft-style swiveling steering bar or "antler". [1, 2]
History and Cultural Impact
The KR200 was an instant success, selling nearly 12,000 units in its first year alone for roughly 2,500 Deutsche Marks (about half the price of a contemporary VW Beetle). It famously set 22 endurance speed records in 1955, including maintaining a 103 km/h average over a 24-hour run. It became a pop-culture symbol of the era, beloved by students, commuters, and even eccentric celebrities like Elvis Presley (who famously traded his for a department store shopping spree). Production eventually ground to a halt in 1964 as Germany's post-war economic miracle (Wirtschaftswunder) made full-sized automobiles affordable to the general public. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

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