Bubble Top Messerschmitt was a successful micro car with its 87 m.p.g. efficiency and thousands of sales.
After WWII, a devastated European economy and a need for affordable private vehicles gave rise to new class of micro autos called "bubble cars."
Messerschmitt built Luftwaffe airplanes during WWII including the world's first operational jet fighter. Prohibited from making aircraft after the war, the company turned to micro car production. The Messerschmitt KR200 was termed a kabinenroller or "cabin scooter" and that's exactly what it was, an enclosed motorcycle with an extra wheel in the front and seating for two under a plexiglass bubble.
The KR200's light weight and excellent aerodynamics allowed it to achieve 56 m.p.h. despite a modest engine listed at 10 horsepower. Gas consumption averaged around 87 m.p.g.
In 1956 Messerschmitt was allowed to produce aircraft again. The company soon lost interest in micro cars and sold the rights to the KR200 to its designer Fritz Fend who kept it in production until 1964. Messerschmitt sales declined as Europe's economy improved and competitors for basic transportation like the Volkswagen beetle and Austin Mini dominated the small car market.
In 1955 A specially prepared KR200 broke 22 international records for 24 hour speeds in a three-wheeled vehicle under 250 cc. engine size by achieving an average of 64 m.p.h.
Today Messerschmitts have a rabid club followings in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. The Volkswagen 1 Liter micro car is a direct descendant of the plucky little Messerschmitt that helped Europe get back on the road after the devestation of WWII.
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