Sold at auction for $77,050
in February 2013
For many years
following World War II, Messerschmitt AG, the German aircraft
manufacturer, was prohibited from building airplanes. The company turned
to other pursuits, one of which was the production of kits for building
prefabricated houses using precast concrete slabs. This modular
construction technique was adopted from the aircraft industry, where
parts were manufactured in various facilities and assembled at a
centralized location. In 1952, they were approached by aircraft engineer
Fritz Fend, who had designed a three-wheel invalid carriage. Fend built
about 250 of these Fend Flitzers through 1951, many of which were
purchased by able-bodied people as simply minicar transport.
Fritz Fend's deal with Messerschmitt called for assembly at
Messerschmitt’s factory in Regensburg, Germany, with the vehicles
carrying the Messerschmitt name. The first model was the KR 175, the KR
signifying Kabinenroller, or “enclosed scooter,” and 175 for the metric
displacement of its two-stroke engine. It featured tandem seating and an
acrylic bubble canopy that tilted sideward for entry and exit.
SPECIFICATIONS Manufacturer:
Regensburg Stahl und Metallbau Origin: Regensburg, Germany
Production: 30,286 Motor: Fichtel & Sachs 2-stroke Displacement:
191 cc Power: 9.7 hp Length: 9 ft. 3 in.
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