Messerschmitt - 1957 Messerschmitt KR201

Extremely Rare KR201 Roadster with “Export” Package and signed by Fritz Fend

We are proud to present this original Messerschmitt KR201, one of the very first produced. The chassis number of this Messerschmitt is one of the lowest known from the entire KR201 production.

This Messerschmitt is a true rarity. According to well-informed sources, only 300 units of the Messerschmitt KR201 Roadster were built. Experts estimate that around 25 of these have survived the test of time. A very limited number of these small series Roadsters were delivered with the “export” package, which included aluminum trim strips and a two-tone color scheme.

This Roadster was originally sold on the Swedish market. The Swedish registration documents are part of the accompanying documentation folder.
In the 1980s, this Messerschmitt was sold to Germany, where it was fully restored by a brand specialist. During the restoration, a color scheme of red over anthracite gray metallic was chosen. The original parts such as the fender lights, mirrors, speedometer, clock, etc. were meticulously restored and returned to their former glory.

Over the years, this Roadster has been regularly used for leisure drives. Recently, it has undergone major maintenance in our workshop. The beautiful "white wall" tires have also been replaced, including the spare wheel.

In 1998, the then German owner of this KR201 traveled to Kaprun for the Messerschmitt Club anniversary meeting. Fritz Fend, the constructor and creator of the Messerschmitt, was the guest of honor. The owner saw his chance and asked Fritz Fend to sign his Messerschmitt.
In mid-2005, the unique Kabinenroller was transferred to its last German owner, who cherished the museum piece and occasionally took it for a ride.

An original and authentic KR201 with the sought-after “export” package is nearly impossible to find. RM Sotheby’s sold a stunning example at one of their auctions in 2013 for the incredible amount of $103,500 USD.
This “Kabinenroller” has it all!
The Roadster model was a very limited special edition of the well-known Messerschmitt KR range. On top of the standard features of a regular Messerschmitt, this model had various "upgrades." The most notable being the convertible top. The interior featured accents of imitation snakeskin and colored piping. The gear shift knob was chrome-plated and had a white button. The dashboard was modified with a speedometer featuring a white background and logo. The light switch was modified, and a speaker grille was added. The Roadster body had lights on the fenders and “portholes” in the engine hood. The mirrors were also a different style than other models and were also used on the rare "Tiger" model. Additionally, the hubcaps were different and had 2-ear spinners. Protection against rain was provided by two vinyl side windows that could be attached with snap buttons.

This Roadster was restored with great attention to the original details of Messerschmitts, especially the Roadster model. All "special" parts such as the fender lights, mirrors, speedometer, clock, etc., were carefully restored and returned to their original glory.

This Roadster has been regularly used for leisure drives over the years. The mechanics are also in excellent condition. Brakes, suspensions, wiring, lighting... everything has been meticulously cared for to maximize reliability.

This Roadster is welcome at any concours or classic car event and can compete for serious awards.
In short, an opportunity for any microcar enthusiast to acquire a unique piece of history.

Call us for more information or to schedule an appointment:
Your contact, Ruud Gubbels, +31 43-3114158

• Side windows
• Tonneau cover
• Softtop cover
• Document folder
• Jack support
• Spare wheel
• Key set
• Old registration documents

The Messerschmitt Kabinenroller is a small two-seater car of German origin. It is a so-called microcar. The car was produced between 1953 and 1956 by the German manufacturer Messerschmitt, and between 1956 and 1964 by Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH. The prototype was created in 1952 by Willy Messerschmitt and Fritz Fend, one of his former employees. The car's nickname was "Snow White's Coffin."

The "Flitzer" was designed by Fend as a single-seater, with three wheels, for people with disabilities. The first cars were designed in 1948, powered by a Flying Dutchman bicycle auxiliary motor. A Flying Dutchman is a toy vehicle powered by pushing and pulling the steering wheel forward. Between March 1949 and March 1950, 98 units with an engine capacity of 98 cm³ and 4.5 horsepower were built. These models would later become known as the Flitzer 100. Between March 1950 and December 1951, 154 units were built with a Riedel engine of 98 cm³ and 4.5 horsepower. These vehicles had a top speed of 75 km/h. The first models were built with bicycle wheels, which were later replaced at the front with wheelbarrow wheels. Before Fend sold the car to Messerschmitt, it was produced by Fend Automotive GmbH. The company headquarters was in Munich.
Due to high demand for the car, there were plans to expand production by ten units, but this was not possible due to a lack of financial resources. In 1952, Fend was dissolved and merged with the aircraft factory Messerschmitt. Messerschmitt was no longer allowed to build aircraft, so they switched to small cars. In 1953, the KR 175 model was presented at the Geneva Motor Show.

Due to state aircraft orders, Willy Messerschmitt had to cease car production in mid-1956, despite having recently declared: "I have always been determined to develop cars alongside aircraft. The factory in Regensburg was exclusively set up for the car industry and will remain so in the future." From January 15, 1957, the Kabinenroller was produced by the newly established Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau Regensburg GmbH (FMR). The shareholders of the company were engineer Fritz Fend and industrialist Valentin Knott.

From 1957 to 1961, alongside the KR 200, the four-wheeled FMR TG 500 was also produced.

Four variants of the KR 200 were made: KR 200 with plexiglass canopy, cabrio-limousine, roadster, and sport. Small quantities were still built until 1964. A version with a tow bar was also made, which could then serve as a delivery vehicle.

The Kabinenroller was built in four versions: KR 175, KR 200, KR 201, and the Tiger. The Tiger was the only model with four wheels. The official designation was Tg 500.