Messerschmitt KR175
| Company type | Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive manufacturing |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Headquarters | Regensburg , Germany |
| Products | Messerschmitt KR175 microcar |
The Messerschmitt KR175 was a microcar produced between 1953 and 1955, marking the initial vehicle manufactured by Messerschmitt following their 1952 collaboration with Fritz Fend. Although it was not a direct design continuation, its concept evolved from the earlier Fend Flitzer invalid carriage. Production totaled around 15,000 units before the model was succeeded by the Messerschmitt KR200 in 1955.
History
After World War II, Messerschmitt was restricted from aircraft manufacturing and shifted focus to other product lines. In 1952, Fritz Fend proposed to Messerschmitt the production of compact motor vehicles, inspired by his design of the Fend Flitzer invalid carriage.
The inaugural vehicle from this partnership assembled at Messerschmitt’s Regensburg plant was the KR175. Early prototypes carried the designation FK150—standing for Fend Kabinenroller 150 ("scooter with cabin")—and were powered by a 150cc F&S engine. While the car bore the Messerschmitt branding and logo, a distinct entity named Regensburger Stahl- und Metallbau GmbH (RSM) was established to handle manufacturing and sales.
Initial production of the KR175 faced multiple issues, leading to approximately seventy design revisions between February and June of 1953. The subsequent model, the KR200, introduced in 1955 as a replacement, retained a similar outward appearance but incorporated significant mechanical and structural improvements.
Features
Derived from the Kabinenroller design, the KR175 featured tandem seating accessed through a hatch that lifted upward and swung to the right. The conventional KR175 hatch incorporated a large Plexiglas bubble canopy, which included a front opening for a small flat windshield and side openings for sliding window frames.[1] A "sportster" variant was offered without the dome or windows, retaining only the windshield.[2] Early versions had manually operated windshield wipers.[2]
The front fenders were designed without wheel cutouts.[2]
Engine and transmission
Powered by a 173 cc (10.6 cu in) air-cooled two-stroke engine single-cylinder unit from Fichtel & Sachs, the engine was mounted centrally ahead of the rear wheel,[1] positioned just behind the passenger seat.[2] The standard starting method was a pull rope, although an electric starter was optionally available.[1] From 1954 onward, the electric starter became standard equipment.[3] The transmission consisted of a four-speed sequential positive-stop gearbox without synchronization or reverse gear.[1]
Controls
The KR175 utilized the Kabinenroller's typical steering mechanism, featuring a tubular steel steering bar directly linked to the front wheels' track rods. This setup provided highly responsive handling, optimal for precise and minimal steering inputs.[3] The gearshift lever was located on the cockpit’s right side and included a secondary lever functioning as the clutch control.[1] Throttle control was managed via a twist grip on the left handlebar.[3] Braking was operated by a single foot pedal that mechanically engaged brakes on all three wheels through cable linkages, with a handbrake lever functioning similarly.[1]
In 1954, the clutch lever was replaced by a pedal mechanism.[3]
MI-VAL Mivalino
The Italian motorcycle producer Metalmeccanica Italiana Valtrompia s.p.a., known for its MI-VAL brand, assembled KR175 vehicles in Brescia, Italy. These models incorporated parts shipped from Messerschmitt alongside their own 172 cc (10.5 cu in) two-stroke engines. These locally assembled cars were marketed under the MI-VAL Mivalino name.[4]
Data
- Layout: mid-mounted rear engine with rear-wheel drive
- Seating arrangement: tandem (front/rear) 1/1
- Weather protection: bubble canopy coupe
- Climate control: no heating or air conditioning
- Engine specifications: Fichtel & Sachs single-cylinder two-stroke
- Displacement: 174 cc
- Bore and stroke: 62 x 58 mm
- Compression ratio: 6.8:1
- Power output: 6.7 kW (9.0 hp) at 5,250 rpm
- Cooling system: air-cooled with fan assistance
- Starting system: initially kick starter; later models equipped with Dynastart
- Drive train: four-speed transmission with chain drive to single rear wheel
- Braking system: mechanical brakes on three wheels
- Wheel dimensions: 4.00 x 8 inches
- Overall dimensions (L/W/H): 2.820 m (111.0 in) / 1.220 m (48.0 in) / 1.200 m (47.2 in)
- Wheelbase length: 2.030 m (79.9 in)
- Track width (front/rear): 0.920 m (36.2 in) / 0 m
- Weight (empty/full load): 210 kg (460 lb) / 360 kg (790 lb)
- Fuel efficiency: 3.7 L/100 km (76.3 mpg‑imp; 63.6 mpg‑US)
- Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Production years: 1953–1955
- Total units produced: approximately 15,000 (another source cites 19,668)
- Price at launch: DM 2,100.00
See also
Notes
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References
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External links
- Pages with reference errors
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- Commons category link from Wikidata
- Commons category link is locally defined
- Messerschmitt vehicles
- Microcars
- Coupés
- Three-wheeled motor vehicles
- First car made by manufacturer
- Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles
- Cars introduced in 1953