The Messerschmitt was one of the first and among the most successful of the many microcars that hit the motoring scene in the 1950s. Although it bears the name of the famous aircraft builder–Willy Messerschmitt–he had little to do with the car’s design. Fritz Fend designed the car, and it was built at Messerschmitt’s factory which was restricted from building airplanes after World War II. This car appealed to motorcyclists who wanted more weatherproof transportation and to customers who found it cost half the price of a Volkswagen. The monocoque tub forms the lower part of the body. The sheet metal upper body is topped with a canopy hinged at the side which opens to allow the driver and the passengers to enter. Notice the handlebar steering wheel and the “Augsburg eagle” symbol on the nose.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Regesburger Stahl-v. Maschinenbau GmbH
Country of Origin: Germany
Drivetrain Configuration: Rear engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: 191 cc engine, 10.2 bhp
Transmission: 4 speed manual
Top Speed: 50 miles per hour
Years of Production: 1955-64
Number Produced: 25,000
Original Cost: ____
A Note About the Display of Our Collection
Thank you for viewing our collection online! Please note that our collection contains over 330 cars and motorcycles though we only have room to display approximately 150 at a time. Therefore, the item you are viewing may not be on display when you visit the museum in person.
