Messerschmitt KR175

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
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 (490 lb)[3]
Chronology
Predecessor Fend Flitzer
Successor Messerschmitt KR200

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 an extended version of the Fend Flitzer invalid carriage. Approximately 15,000 were built before it was replaced by the Messerschmitt KR200 in 1956.[4]

History

Messerschmitt, 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.[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, 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 was developed from the KR175 and replaced it in 1955.[3]

Features

1954 Messerschmitt K175

Being 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] The windshield wiper was manually operated.[6]

The front fenders did not have wheel cutouts.[6]

Engine and transmission

The KR175 ran on a 173 cc (10.6 cu in) Fichtel & Sachs air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke engine 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

Mivalino controls, similar to those of the KR175

The 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

Mi-Val Milano

Italian 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

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Microcar Museum: 1954 Mivalino
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wagner, p.166
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Wagner, p.167
  4. 1 2 Microcar Museum: 1954 Messerschmitt KR175
  5. ↑ Wagner, p.163
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Wagner, p.165
  7. ↑ Wagner p.162

References


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