The second to last Messerschmitt ever produced.

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Fahrzeug und Maschinenbau Regensburg

Origin: Regensburg, Germany

Production: limited

Motor: Fichtel & Sachs 1-cyl, 2-stroke

Displacement: 191 cc

Power: 9.5 hp

Length: 9 ft. 3 in.

Identification No. 80286

With the formation of their new company, F.M.R., in January 1957, Fend and Knott were free to work on new projects that had been cooking on the back burner for some time. The concept of a fresh-air, wind-in-the-face model to supplement the Plexiglas dome had been addressed right from the start of KR 200 production, with a roll-up, stowaway, soft, plastic, clear dome, which never materialized in prototype form.

A full-convertible with folding scissor top bows seemed to have been the perfect answer. A free-standing windshield, full-length plastic armrests, soft vinyl side-curtains, and a top cover for the folded top completed the specification. The entire top bow mechanism, together with its roof fabric, was fitted into slots, making it completely removable in seconds. Introduced as a limited-run special model, the KR 201 Roadster included upgraded black and faux-snakeskin trim, portholes, fender lamps, slotted hubcaps, and white interior accents. The Messerschmitt was still more of a practical utility vehicle at the time, and the somewhat impractical roadster sold in only relatively few numbers.

The proper and very successful solution was, of course, the cabriolet, which used the existing top frame and replaced the dome with a cloth roof on removable bows. The weatherproof side-screens remained in place. The roadster body style, however, continued in production to the very end. While the KR 201 with its special trim was discontinued after a couple of years on the books, the small company was able to build to individual customers’ orders quite easily.

This car is very significant in that it is the second-to-last Messerschmitt ever produced, the last car being 80287, which came off the line in August of 1964. It is also significant in that it is a very original example of the roadster body style without the KR 201 special trim. Standard KR 200 trim is used throughout, without the snakeskin accents. The trim panels and seats are still original, except for the seat faces, which have been replaced with fabric. The rarely-seen soft vinyl sides-screens are still there, and the mirrors are the sought-after Kontakt type, fitted only to KR 201 Roadster and Tg 500 models. It was previously owned by well-known Messerschmitter Dr. Hans Dopjans. Factory original Messerschmitt Roadsters are among the most collectible of all microcars, and as the second-to-last car to be produced, it maintains special standing among all others.