A classic three-wheel Messerschmitt KR200 Kabrio is being offered at Silverstone Auctions’ 23 July sale. Estimated to be one of only 158 Messerschmitt models on the road today from the 6000 imported into Britain during the 1950s, the quirky ‘bubble cars’ achieve speeds up to 65 mph and return around 80 miles to the gallon, becoming popular during the Suez canal crisis and resulting petrol shortages.
A true convertible with a canvas top, rather than a later conversion by owners avoiding expensive repairs to the Messerschmitt’s transparent Perspex roofs, the Messerschmitt was originally supplied in yellow by Kings of Oxford in 1955. It gained its maroon and silver livery during its ownership in the 90s by aristocratic playboy Lord Alain Levenfiche. With a full history of maintenance and restoration and a current MOT, the current owner has cared for this piece of history for ten years, which is expected to achieve from £13,000 up to £18,000 at auction.
Made between 1955 and 1964 by German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt, prohibited from ‘plane manufacture post war, the lightweight bubble car has a single-cylinder two-stroke 191 cc engine, outputting less than 10 hp! With four gears in both forward and reverse, the KR200 broke the 24-hour speed record in 1955 for three-wheel vehicles under 250 cc.
