Regensburger Stahl-und Metallblau GmbH, Regensburg, Germany. 1953 - 1964

Fahrzeug-und Machinenbau GmbH, Regensburg, Germany 1956 - 1964

Fritz Fend was an aeronautical engineer who had designed a tandem 2-seat "bubblecar" for the austere post war market in Europe. Lacking the manufacturing capacity himself he approached the aircraft manufacturers Messerschmitt, with whom he had connections. Being forbidden to make aeroplanes at the time Messerschmitt were happy to undertake the manufacture of Fend's project.

The Messerschmitt Kabinenroller (cabin scooter) was available from early 1953 as the KR175.

It had a tubular steel frame to which the lower body panels were attached to form a monocoque tub which was cut away to allow the driver easy access. The upper part of the body was a metal pressing with a full length plexiglass canopy hinged along one side which could be lifted up like the lid of a trunk to allow the driver and passenger to step directly into the vehicle. It had two wheels at the front and a single, driven, wheel at the back. Steering was by vertical handlebars and was very "direct" with only ¾ of a turn from lock to lock.

The engine was a Fichtel& Sachs single cylinder two stroke of 173cc developing 9bhp at 5,250rpm and it drove the single rear wheel through a four speed gearbox and chain. Engine speed was controlled by a "twist grip" throttle on the handlebars, similar to a motorcycle. There was no reverse gear, but a spare wheel and jack were supplied and a extras included a heater and a luggage grid. From 1954 an electric starter was supplied as standard equipment.

It was popular and at almost half the price of a Volkswagen found 8,000 customers.

The KR200 introduced in 1955 had a larger engine of 191cc, which increased the power to 10.2bhp, and could be started in either direction to give reverse. The throttle was now a floor pedal. The suspension was improved at the rear and hydraulic dampers were fitted all round.

In 1957 a version with a detachable fabric top was available and later the KR201 model with soft top, sidescreens and called a roadster. Later still there was a roadster version without the hinged top so that entry was by climbing over the sides and putting the top up afterwards.

Sales of the tandem Messerschmitt were falling by the time the ban on aircraft manufacture was lifted in 1956 and so the project and the name were sold to Fritz Fend who formed a new company, Fahrzburg-und Maschinenbau GmbH whilst Messerschmitt returned to more important aviation work.

The three wheelers where continued as the FMR, but the old name stuck and to these was added the new "Tiger" with four wheels and a 493cc vertical twin engine designed by Fichtel & Sachs which raised the power output to 19.5bhp. It was built by FMR and the model was called the Tg500 because Sunbeam would not allow them to use the name Tiger.

The performance was good and a top speed of 78mph could be achieved. The gearbox was still not fitted with synchromesh, but a proper reverse gear was now fitted.

The bodies were very similar in appearance to the KR200 and both the open and closed type were available. The performance was such that it won the London Motor Club's Cat's Eyes rally in 1958. This gave sales in the UK a boost, but it's appeal was less than the three wheelers because it was taxed in the UK as a car and a full driving licence was needed to drive it. Only about 400 were made by the time production was stopped in 1961.

The KR200 continued to be made in ever decreasing numbers up to June1964 when about 25,000 had been made.

An attempt had been made to enter the Italian market in 1954 when KR175 was exhibited at the Milan Auto Fair as a Mivalino. They were to be made by Metalmeccanica Italiana Valtrompia but very few were actually built. Fritz Fendi also made a 4-wheel car prototype in 1962 but it was never put into production.

Bibliography :

"Ist Das Nicht ein Kabinenroller?", By Carl Wagner, Automobile Quarterly, Vol. 11 No. 2.