SUPER-ECONOMY MOTORING - THE MESSERSCHMITT ‘BUBBLE CAR’ AT SEVENTY

Seventy years ago, if you were in need of a cheap urban two-seater, the new Messerschmitt KR175 was a viable option. For one, it was nine feet long and weighed just 485 pounds. The 170cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine was capable of 50 mph, and the steering was via a handlebar (with a twist-grip throttle on the left) directly connected to the track rod ends. A Plexiglas canopy tilted to allow access into the cabin while starting up was by a pull-rope.

Following the end of the Second World War, the Allied Powers forbade Messerschmitt from building aircrafts for the next ten years. So instead, the company focused on making prefabricated buildings. However, in 1952 the engineer Fritz Feld approached Messerschmitt with a proposal to build a mass-market version of his ‘Flitzer’ invalid carriage design. Production began in February 1953.

The KR175 may not have been the most luxurious of vehicles – the early versions even featured a manually operated windscreen wiper – but they proved very popular in their homeland. The price was just 2,800 marks (£235), and they were capable of 94 miles to the gallon. By 1955, Messerschmitt had already built 16,000 examples, while Volkswagen complained about the “unfair competition” from this upstart microcar.

Beulah Hill Engineering sold the Messerschmitt as the ‘Cabin Scooter’ in the UK. Motorcycling praised the “satin smooth” engine and found the KR175 to be “a thoroughly practical vehicle,” even if they did complain about the manually-operated wiper. There was also no reverse gear, but this did not affect owners with a motorcycle licence. Before 1963, the law stipulated only holders of a car licence could operate a motor vehicle equipped with any form of reverse.

By 1955 the UK concessionaire claimed the KR175 was capable of “London to Bournemouth on less than a gallon – in saloon car comfort too”. Yes, for a mere £299 15s, or £100 deposit and £9 19s 9d per month for the next two years, you could enjoy the luxury of “foam rubber upholstery” and, by now, even an electric wiper.

That same year, the 191cc KR200 replaced the KR175, with production lasting until as recently as 1964. As for the original ‘Kabinenroller’, it is a fascinating example of austerity motoring just before the German ‘Economic Miracle.’ And, as this news film demonstrates, a Messerschmitt three-wheeler caused a sensation on the mean streets of Upper Norwood -