What Happened To The Three-Wheeled Car Built By An Airplane Manufacturer
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- The Messerschmitt KR200 is a popular collectible microcar from the '50s. It was manufactured by an aerospace company after World War II. The income from the KR200 kept the aerospace company in business during a post-war ban on airplane manufacturing.
Following is a transcript of the video:
Narrator: Microcars. You know, those tiny cars that look like they barely fit one person, typically powered by a motorcycle engine, and most importantly, affordable. In the '50s, they could be seen puttering down European streets. As silly as a lot of these cars looked, they were actually a big business. So big, in fact, that one actually saved an aerospace company from going out of business.
Narrator: This is the Messerschmitt KR200. KR stands for Kabinenroller, which translates to "cabin scooter." It's a pretty accurate description of the car since it has a motorcycle engine and handlebars for a steering wheel.
Jeff Lane: The Messerschmitt was also touted as a three-seater. So their claim was that one person, of course, sat in the front to drive, and then you could have two people in the back, one on each side, they put their legs up like this. They'd have to be smaller people, and, of course, you gotta remember that these cars were made to go 10, 20, 30 miles. They weren't made to drive across California or anything like that.
Narrator: Preceding the KR200 was the Fend Flitzer, a microcar conceived by German designer Fritz Fend. It was made to be an accessible car for people who use wheelchairs.Jeff: It was very similar to this car. And he made the door open like this, so if you were in a wheelchair, you could wheel up to the car like this, and then you would transfer over, bring your legs over like that, get in, and then - down like that, and you could drive the car.
Narrator: The full potential of the Fend Flitzer wouldn't be realized until after World War II. When a postwar ban on aircraft production in Germany went in effect, airplane manufacturer Messerschmitt AG had to look for other ways to stay in business. Fortunately for them, Fritz Fend, you know, the guy behind the Fend Flitzer, lacked the resources to mass-produce his vehicle.
Jeff: So he proposed to Messerschmitt in 1952 that they make this a production car. They agreed that was a good idea, and so they hired him to basically take his design and improve upon it. The Messerschmitt was actually very successful in terms of a microcar, 'cause they made about 25,000 Messerschmitt microcars.
Narrator: Those 25,000 KR200s kept the Messerschmitt AG manufacturing plant busy and brought in enough income to keep the lights on for the duration of the ban on airplane production.
Jeff: In 1956, Messerschmitt was allowed to go back to making airplanes, and they really lost any interest they had in building the cars. So they sold the car to Fritz Fend, and he continued to build cars until 1964.Narrator: Today, the KR200 finds its way into the collections of nostalgic car enthusiasts and people who find the microcar era fascinating, like Mark Hatten.
Mark Hatten: So, I came into possession of this car from an advertisement through the microcar club back in 2007. One of the things that fascinates me about this car is its shape, the bubble-dome top, and how you enter and exit the car. It's exhilarating, it's very fun, it's very nimble, it's very quick. It's nonstop reactions. People want to know about it, know what it is, they want to know how much it costs, they want to know if it's for sale, they want to know all about it. It's probably one of my most fun little project cars. I'm so glad that I got it and I'm able to share it with people.
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What Happened To The Three-Wheeled Car Built By An Airplane Manufacturer
I owned one in the early seventies. Loved it apart from the lack of brakes.
What's the Doug score?
His scoring system sucks
Talk about a 3rd wheel
**I will see myself out**
We had a Messerschmitt. In NY state they where considered a motorcycle. 80 mpg!
Wow the new Corvega looks great, glad to see it survived the bombs
Has a full analog system. No electronics!!!!
I’m waiting for the 0 wheeled car
-4 Subscribers with a hammer addiction bruh I’m just waiting for the 4 wheeled edition
Are you talking about a hover car?
Maybe your great great grandson will see it!
enjoy lifetime
*4 th Wheel* *has* *Left* *the* *chat*
I want this so bad.
My brother had one parked outside the house in the 70's. I used to play in it and pretend it was a spitfire! It stayed there till my father paid the dustbin men a fiver to take it away.
big F for you mate
A spitfire 😂 it's clearly a Messerschmitt!!
If you ever find yourself in Nashville, go to the lane motor museum. Reserve about 4 hours and enjoy the beauty. Many microcars and other very unique vehicle
I would repaint mine in German camouflage colors and apply Greek Crosses to both doors.
I saw an electric version of this somewhere with modern look.
Police:This path is not for
4 wheels car
Driver:i had 3 wheels,sir
Police:Ok come
Your grammar is terrible
@@ilanzatonski8826 im from mars and i doesn't know humans legguange well
First video taken from 2stroketurbo
It was never claimed that it seated three adults but two and a child or two and a suitcase.
Its aircraft builder background is obvious. The interior is more aircraft than car. I've always wanted one but I don't I'm likely to. Even a basket case sells for silly money in the UK
I want one
Don't forget Messerschmitt sewing machines!
These are cool but I feel like in America you would get pulled over so much with it
Cool car
looks like an airplane..... without wings......... seems appropriate enough for an airplane company.
Didum Boom It’s made by a company who build WWII German fighters
Blin Mann yes I know what Messerschmitt built during WWII
Defenitly impressive for the time..
3 persons can seem to lift that up to a pick up truck then run away.
I wish i have it when i was kid. I dont tell who i enjoy it
Bajaj or Mahindra should introduce this in India .It will be grt use for sr.ctzn &ladies who can't ride 2wheelers.
Ok sir
The channel with the blue Messerschmitt is 2stroketurbo
Wrong citations
Look like it came out of fallout.
Reminds me of the car Steve Urkel drove
I’m still waiting for 2 wheel car lol! It’s gonna be lit
Akhil Suraj think you’ll find that this is a motorbike!?!
There is one on TH-cam.
Most importantly, safer than a motorcycle.
Leaked footage of a new car in Mario Kart 9
A messerschmitt will cost you £24000 today - How is that affordable?
Saved an aerospace company? Didn't really worked out for Messerschmitt...
Dale..........karmical
claustrophobic.
Stop it!
Reminds me of the dopey car in Mr Bean
This inspired the Fusion Flea from Fallout.
I was looking for this comment
Isn't there a three wheeled car in Mr bean too
That's a trabant.
That's A Reliant. That's not a microcar.
America just makes 1 or 2In a shop and that's all that ever happens they never actually manufactured anything it's so hilarious......
Someone get Doug Demuro on this
What is this a peel p50 long edition?
That's just a extended mitsouka K2
You mean that Mitsouka were inspired by the KR200?
秀樹欲しい～♪
I need me262
from the ME 109 to ME 262 to Me Gigant to Me Kr200.......wow
I dont know what to say.
So you drive off in your toy car. What happens if *someone* steals yo' wheelchair when you come back?
Can I put a v8 engine on this?
I think thats the car in mr bean
1 wheel car when
That poor third wheel
Isn’t this a car in fallout
Kei cars only!!!
Subaru 360 Sambar!
So it’s a big ass motorcycle? Or no
👏👏
Creepy ad
First
I want one