When I first took a gander at this unusual Kleinschnittger F125, I called it a kiddie car; turns out, I was wrong. This is actually considered a microcar, powered by a single-cylinder two-stroke engine. While it only packs five b.h.p., that’s still more than you want your little ones toying with. This example has apparently been used as a modest art installation in a house or garage that would challenge my limited ability to pick out furniture that goes well together. Find it here on craigslist for $3,000 in Michigan.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Junior for the find. The Kleinschnittger featured aluminum bodywork and could reach a top speed of 43 m.p.h. Looking at it, that seems borderline terrifying, even if it’s below the speed limit in most communities. They’re certainly rare as I can’t recall ever seeing one for sale (except for this one that was listed for $43,500 as a restored example), and I’m not sure how to assign value to an oddball like this. It weighs a mere 330 lbs. and delivers an astounding 80 m.p.g.
Of course, it wasn’t likely designed to reach its top speed on a daily basis. This cute in-town vehicle would be perfect if you lived in a sleepy community and just needed to run to the bank or post office on occasion. Given we often credit the Japanese with most of the tiniest of road vehicles known as kei cars, the German-made Kleinschnittger is a fascinating alternative for the microcar fan.
Room for one more if you still wanna go to Aspen.
What a beautiful find! That is German History after the Allied bombers bombed as to hell…
And gone already
Give me an Athens Ohio built King Midget. Mine is an 1963 model.
Are you a member of the King Midget Club? We’re 400 strong and have a lot of fun with these little cars!
No I did not join but will look into it. But I did purchase your book and I really enjoyed it.
At first glance, I thought it had a goose hood ornament! LOL
Forget the car, nice that it is, I want the house!
I bought it, original frame is gone.
Now I need a parts car.
Any thoughts?
Todd
Give ‘Toys-R-Us’ a try, you might find something that comes close but it’ll be plastic !
You need a visit to Charles Gould to crawl over his car with camera and measuring tape.
The car was originally simply fabricated, and you have all the hard to get parts.
Spend a little while on the web, and check out Kart shops for steering and suspension bits (sorry, no leads on new suspension rubber bands). Todays karts actually go, stop and handle really well.
You go Todd…Go !
They left a zero off that price. They will go for $35,000+++ all day long. There were 12 of those cars imported to the USA. Either that or it was a scam.
Congratulations on a great purchase Todd. These are very unusual cars, but they are also very simple.
Although I don’t have a frame for you, I do have many sources for parts in Germany and I can ask around for you. I also have a complete and running 1954 Kleinschnittger F125 if you wish to take photos and dimensions to fabricate your own frame. It would be relatively easy to do.
I almost bought this car from the seller five years ago but he wanted too much money back them. At that time, the car hung vertically on his wall.
Chas
Where are you located?
Can I get your email?
I am happy you bought it Todd. I was sure thinking about it myself. I have absolutely no more room for another car yet. I thought that I could find a corner somewhere around here to stash it. Good luck Todd!
Todd- That car was on the wall inside that fellows house for a number of years. He offered it for $10k a couple years ago. You definitely got a great buy. I don’t think you’ll find anything like a parts car. If you’re handy, there’s not much you wouldn’t be able to fabricate as long as you have the body and wheels. You got the motor too, right? I had it listed for him on my facebook page. I will try to find it.
From my facebook page
Great Buy!
These little cars go for much more in the microcar world.
Yes I have the motor and a bunch of misc. parts.
Just no frame or driveline components.
Building a frame would be simple for me.
Coming up with the suspension, steering, brakes…. might be the challenge.
The diagram I posted above indicates which parts are missing. You probably already figured that out. Did I mention you got a significant piece of automotive history?
For those who think small: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/Microcars and http://www.facebook.com/Microcar .
Kleinschnittger F125 brochure.
1952 Kleinschnittger F125.
I would really like to find a parts car someday but for now here it is.
Here is another picture