There’s something undeniably cool about classic microcars. Unlike full-size vehicles, their manufacturers had to think more laterally to maximize space efficiency to make such cars a practical alternative to motorcycles…or walking. One of the more instantly recognizable variants is the Messerschmitt KR200, and this 1956 Convertible is a notch above the rest. Its history is unclear, but it has accumulated a mere 683 original miles on its odometer in sixty-seven years. Its presentation is impressive as a consequence, but now it needs a new home. The seller listed it here on Hibid in Newburgh, Indiana. The popularity of these quirky classics is unquestioned, as it has already received seventeen bids, pushing the price to $10,000. Plenty of time remains in the auction for those wishing to stake their claim. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mark S for spotting this beauty.
Large swathes of Europe took a beating during World War II, and the recovery was faster for some countries than others. Various governments realized that the best way to stimulate their struggling economies was to get the population mobile and spending money as they had in the pre-war era. However, there were problems facing both the governments and potential manufacturers. Steel was generally in short supply, with most of that material distributed to industries as the authorities saw fit. It meant that if car makers were to build vehicles in meaningful volumes, smaller was the only option. It spawned a host of cars like the Isetta and the Fiat 500, as well as Messerschmitt’s various microcar models. The 1956 KR200 evolved from the KR175, featuring styling changes and a more powerful engine than its predecessor. Many people immediately associate the iconic Plexiglass canopy with these classics, but the company offered a Convertible variant that deserves recognition. While the “bubble” gave the car a distinctive appearance that harked back to the company’s aviation roots, the Convertible had one critical advantage; It didn’t bake its occupants on a warm and sunny day! This KR200 wears the two-tone combination of Buttermilk and Rosso Nizza (Red), and its presentation is difficult to fault for an unrestored survivor. The paint shines impressively, cloaking panels free from dings and dents. There are no clear underside shots, but the lack of visible surface corrosion suggests there is a good chance the vehicle remains rust-free. The seller supplies no photos with the top raised, but they state it is in as-new condition. The glass is in good order, as is the chrome. Cars like the Messerschmitt may have represented motoring at its most basic, but buyers could order them with a few options to provide a more luxurious impression. This classic’s original owner followed that path, specifying the two-tone paint and factory wire hubcaps.
If someone blindfolded you, guided you into this KR200, and removed the blindfold, you wouldn’t wonder whether you were sitting in a Cadillac. The Messerschmitt represented economical private transport that was quite innovative. As with the bubble canopy, the interior configuration also had an air of the aviation industry, courtesy of the tandem seating position. The back seat could occupy an adult or two small children, while the company suggested that the rear shelf on some variants would be ideal for carrying an infant child. I can’t see any safety concerns with that concept, can you? The front seat base is tapered to allow the back seat occupant to more comfortably straddle their legs on either side once they climb aboard. This little survivor’s interior is in excellent condition, with no wear or damage to its Red and White vinyl trim. The painted surfaces are as impressive as the exterior, as is the steering yoke. In keeping with its more luxurious leanings, the original owner ordered this KR200 with a factory AM radio. However, it is probably only the driver that would gain any benefit for two crucial reasons. Firstly, the passenger is about as far away from the speaker as it is possible to be. Secondly, the car’s engine sits right behind them, meaning any sound generated by the radio has to compete with the clatter generated by the engine. Still, it is an unusual upgrade that sets this car apart from other examples we’ve seen.
Powering the Messerschmitt is a 191cc Fichtel & Sachs single-cylinder air-cooled engine that sends 10hp and 11 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheel via a four-speed manual transmission. Those are modest figures, but with a curb weight of 507 lbs, the KR200 could achieve a top speed of 56mph. However, most owners found these classics were happier cruising around 40-45mph. The transmission featured no reverse gear, with the driver needing to shut down the motor and press the ignition key. The innovative ignition system fired the engine in the opposite direction, giving the driver four reverse gears. Theoretically, it was possible to drive a KR200 at the same top speed backward as forwards. However, I would choose to remain an interested spectator in such situations! The seller claims this Messerschmitt has a genuine 683 miles on its odometer, although they don’t mention verifying evidence. If the car is original and unrestored, the condition makes the claim plausible. They include the original Owner’s Manual and documentation for a car they state runs and drives perfectly. That makes this a turnkey proposition that is ready for summer fun.
If the odometer reading for this 1956 Messerschmitt KR200 Convertible is verifiable, it is an extraordinary find. Its level of preservation makes it worthy of ongoing display as a museum piece, and my instincts tell me that will be its fate. However, it deserves to see the road occasionally as its designers intended. It may not have the cachet of a classic muscle or pony car, but it is guaranteed to attract the same attention wherever it goes. Recent sales results suggest the winning bidder will need to part with at least $50,000 to take it home, and with values consistently climbing, it could be a worthwhile investment at that price. Would you be prepared to pay that sort of money, or is this tiny classic too quirky for you?
Yes with 18 days left this should go very high. It says 40,000 were made!!
if you follow the kr-200 serial numbers from
50000 to 80275 , there were 30,000 cars made .
that being said , they skipped some numbers
and factory records were destroyed in a 1964 fire .
there were about 320 tg-500 models built 1958-61
and about 10,000 kr-175 models built 1953-1955
he must be including all types with the kr-200 model
production numbers .
David I think this is the car I restored in the 1970s I sold it at Hershey to a person who owned a paving company or something like that. I have never seen another with a welt funk radio and snap on fabric top The reason for the fabric is plastic tops were not available at that time. Most of the parts that I needed came from the late Les Kling from New Jersey One other thing if this was my car is the front emblem was rhodium plated by a jeweler because I did not trust chrome platers.
This should come with a crowbar so you can pry it out of the wheel well of a F250.
Easily worth every penny just to be able to have a license plate frame on your other cars that say “My Other Ride Is A Messerschmitt!”
I know a chap who has two. One he’s converted to electric. He also drives a C-47/DC-3 bodied motor home.
“ Rose, there’s a Messerschmitt in the kitchen, clean it up for me”.
Rodney Dangerfield from the movie
Easy Money.
Cousin It’s car from the Addams Family!
This is one of the nicest Messerschmitts I’ve seen, but I still wouldn’t want one…. these never appealed to me, just as the other 3-wheelers that came out just after WW2
wonderful deluxe with the two tone paint and wood
trim . the optional wind up clock and weltfunk radio
are big plusses !
this car does have some originality issues .
headlights are wrong .
it should have a dome top on it , cab tops came later .
scooter hubcaps
none of these is a big deal , drive and enjoy the car
while shopping for the correct parts .
There are a lot of cars labeled a death trap.
This however, is an actual death trap.
In June of 1963, having just graduated from college, I spent 6 months in Europe (Sweden to Israel). I had my parents family in Zurich Switzerland which was my home base. I was looking for an inexpensive mode of travel. since I was by myself, I really liked the Messerschmitt which I could buy for $100. On the Autobahns it was good for 70 mph.
Those thoughts were trashed by my Uncle Joseph saying that in Europe they were known a “rollers” since they rolled so easily. Then Mom and Dad showed up from the US, bought a VW Square Back which we took delivery at the factory in Wolfsburg Germany just next to the “Iron Curtain”. Not knowing how to use “roundabouts” he crunched into a Isetta. I got to drive for the next 2 months. We toured Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, East Berlin (behind the Wall), Austria. I was the chauffeur. Dad finally had the Squareback shipped on their boat back to US and drive it home to Ca. Fine good times.
This car is definitely not an original car. This is a restored car. As with many restos they send the speedo/odo out for restoration and they get set back to zero. I am sure that is the case with this car. There are several things wrong which also make this not an original car. The real cabriolet models have a top the slides and folds back and sit on top of the body work behind the back seat and has a cover that snaps over it. This car was a bubble top and and some point converted to a cab. All that being said this is still a nice car and should make a great driver and it looks great. Someone spent a lot of time and effort to make this a nice car.
This is a very nice example but I highly doubt the milage to be original. There are a few items that I know are changed from how this car left the factory. It was originally a dome top car, cabriolet tops were not introduced until 1957, the trim on the front fenders has been changed, there should be a sharp point on the trim where it meets the wheel opening radius trim. The radio is a rare option on this or any KR200, a notch in the plus column!
As mentioned above the head lamps are not original, but they are a non factory accessory that converted the lights to sealed beams. This could have a been to pass inspection in certain states, I have a set of these conversion lights in my spare parts drawer. It is nice to see little details like the asbestos disc on the top of the muffler, most of these were discarded years ago.
Overall this is car has the makings of a great restoration if the floor pan under the rubber mat is a clean as the body.
It would look good parked next to the KR200 and KR201 in my collection.
Did these cars have a factory heater?
Yes, the tube that is visible along the inside of the body with the canopy open is the heater tube. ( only visible on ‘55 & ‘56 models, later cars had the tube hidden behind the interior panel)
There is a chamber that surrounds the exhaust pipe, the warm air is forced via the cooling fan on the engine to butterfly valve and flexible tube to a bulkhead fitting on engine side of the firewall, the visible tube connects to the bulkhead fitting inside the car. The small metal tubular part that is visible on the flexible tube inside the car is a muffler to quiet the airflow, it also acts as a directional duct for the warm air. The end of the flexible tube next to the driver can be directed to the windscreen to act as a defroster.
Sounds like the same as an isetta. Thank u
I would want to park it in a collection next to a Triumph Spitfire and a Ford Mustang.
Or a Ford Thunderbolt and Ford Lightning !
Seller, please post a photo of the VIN number and I will post the history, from birth, of this KR 200, to at least establish when and what model it was when it left the factory. The VIN, as we call it in the USA, or serial number, is stamped on the frame bar, near the knee of the driver. It can also be found in the engine compartment on the short, horizontal part of the upper frame support. Near the top of the shock absorber.
Post it, for all to see, as they do in all vehicles that are sold online.
That said, original or not, it looks good and all messerschmitt’s have value.
The serial number looks to be 56544, the the photo of the owners manual has it written on the cover. Probably should confirm this with the seller. According to the list of KR200’s that I have 56544 is a 1955 model.
@Carl Clines Is the seller following this page? I am guessing you must know them personally? If they only respond directly to you personally, let us know the answer.
No, I don’t know the seller. A gentleman, David Garner, that I became acquainted with through the “Messerschmitt Owners Club” in the UK. Mr. Garner has access to the history of all Messerschmitts from the factory, until they disappear into the unknown. That includes a full Description of the vehicle as titled from the factory.
He will provide the vital statistics of origin for any Messerschmitt for $50.00, as he did for mine.
I purchased mine from auction with all of the wrong numbers on the paperwork. With the documentation he provided, I was able to complete the registration in California. He was also able to update my Schmitt history, with the info I provided him.
I’ve reached out to him for a quick reply on the Barn Find, no reply yet.