The Messerschmitt KR175 microcar (1953–1955) was the first vehicle built by Messerschmitt under its 1952 agreement with Fritz Fend. In concept, although not in actual design, it was, in principle, a development of the Fend Flitzer invalid carriage. Approximately 15,000 were built before it was replaced by the Messerschmitt KR200 in 1955.[4]
| Messerschmitt KR175 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Messerschmitt |
| Also called | Kabineneroller, Karo Mivalino (license-built in Italy)[1] |
| Production | 1953–1955 |
| Assembly | Regensburg, Germany Brescia, Italy (under license)[1] |
| Designer | Fritz Fend |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Microcar |
| Body style | 1-door coupe |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Messerschmitt Kabinenroller |
| Doors | Canopy |
| Related | Messerschmitt KR200 FMR Tg500 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Fichtel & Sachs two-stroke single cylinder, pull start or optional electric start[2] |
| Transmission | Four forward speeds, sequential, unsynchronized.[2] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2.029 m (6 ft 7.9 in)[3] |
| Length | 2.820 m (9 ft 3.0 in)[3] |
| Width | 1.220 m (4 ft 0 in)[3] |
| Height | 1.200 m (3 ft 11.2 in)[3] |
| Curb weight | 220 kg (485 lb)[3] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Fend Flitzer |
| Successor | Messerschmitt KR200 |
History
editMesserschmitt, temporarily not allowed to manufacture aircraft, had turned its resources to producing other products. In 1952, Fend approached Messerschmitt with the idea of manufacturing small motor vehicles.[5] These were based on his Fend Flitzer invalid carriage.[6]
The first of Fend's vehicles to enter production at Messerschmitt's Regensburg factory was the KR175 (prototypes had been designated FK150 - Fend Kabinenroller 150 - with a 150cc F&S engine) .[3] The title Kabinenroller means "scooter with cabin".[7] While the Messerschmitt name and insignia were used on the car, a separate company, incorporated as Regensburger Stahl- und Metallbau GmbH (RSM), was created to manufacture and market the vehicle.[3]
There were several problems with the first KR175s to be built, resulting in 70 design modifications between the beginning of production in February and June 1953.[4] The KR200, although superficially very similar was developed from the KR175 but with many fundamental changes, replaced it in 1955.[3]
Features
editBeing based on the Kabinenroller platform, the KR175 had tandem seating accessed by a hatch that opened upward and to the right. The standard version of the KR175's hatch had a canopy made from a large Plexiglas dome with a cutout at the front for a small, flat glass windshield and a cutout on either side for the frames for the sliding windows.[2] A "sportster" model was available without the dome or the windows, with only the windshield attached.[6] On early models, the windshield wiper was manually operated.[6]
The front fenders did not have wheel cutouts.[6]
Engine and transmission
editThe KR175 ran on a 173 cc (10.6 cu in) Fichtel & Sachs air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke engine centrally positioned in front of the rear wheel,[2] just behind the passenger's seat.[6] The engine was started with a pull rope as standard, but there was an option of an electric starter.[2] The electric starter became standard in 1954.[3] The transmission was a sequential, positive-stop type with four speeds and no synchronization nor reverse gear.[2]
Controls
editThe KR175 used the standard Kabinenroller steering system, with a steering bar connected directly to the track rods of the front wheels, providing an extremely direct response best suited to small, measured inputs.[3] The KR175's steering bar was made from tubular steel. The gearshift lever, on the right side of the cockpit, had a secondary lever on it which operated the clutch.[2] The throttle was operated by a twist-grip on the left handlebar.[3] The foot brake pedal, which was the only pedal in the car, operated brakes on all three wheels mechanically, using cables. The handbrake lever operated similarly.[2]
In 1954, the clutch lever was replaced by a pedal.[3]
MI-VAL Mivalino
editItalian motorcycle manufacturer Metalmeccanica Italiana Valtrompia s.p.a., makers of the brand MI-VAL, assembled KR175s in Brescia, Italy, using components imported from Messerschmitt but with their own 172 cc (10.5 cu in) two-stroke engine installed. These cars were sold as the MI-VAL Mivalino.[1]
Data
edit- Configuration: mid (rear) engine, rear drive
- Seating, front/rear: 1/1
- Weather protection: bubble canopy coupe
- Heating/air conditioning: none/none
- Engine type: Fichtel & Sachs, 1 cylinder, 2 stroke
- Displacement: 174 cc
- Bore x stroke— 62 x 58 mm
- Compression: 6.8:1
- Power: 6.7 kW (9.0 hp) @ 5,250 rpm
- Cooling: air, with fan
- Starter: kick starter, later Dynastart
- Drive: 4 speed and chain to single rear wheel
- Brakes: 3 wheel
- Wheel size: 4.00 by 8 in
- Dimensions (length/width/height) (m): 2.820 m (111.0 in)/1.220 m (48.0 in)/1.200 m (47.2 in)
- Wheelbase: 2.030 m (79.9 in)
- Track, front/rear: 0.920 m (36.2 in)/0 m.
- Weight, empty/full load: 210 kg (460 lb)/360 kg (790 lb).
- Fuel consumption: 3.7 L/100 km (76.3 mpg‑imp; 63.6 mpg‑US)
- Top speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Years built: 1953 to 1955
- Number built: 15,000 (19,668 from another source)
- Price : DM 2,100.00
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- Wagner, Carl (Second Quarter 1973). ""Ist das nicht ein Kabinenroller?" "Ja! das ist ein Kabinenroller!" Carl Wagner takes off on Messerschmitt". Automobile Quarterly. 11 (2). New York: Automobile Quarterly Inc.: 162–171. LCCN 62004005.
- "Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum: 1954 Mivalino". The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum Inc. Retrieved 23 August 2008.
- "Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum: 1954 Messerschmitt 175". The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum Inc. 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2008.