Messerschmitt KR 175 Kabrio Limousine
French title - Ultimate model of the best series - Known history - Carefully restored - Ex collection Adrien Maeght The Kr 175 was the first Messerschmitt to be mass-produced, with 10,600 examples built between 1953, when it first appeared at the Geneva Motor Show, and 1955. It is, however, rarer than the Kr 200 of which some 50,000 examples were built between 1955 and 1963. This particular Messerschmitt is rarer still, as it is one of the last that could be fitted with the Kr 200 plexiglass cockpit that had come out the year before. Only those built for export to Switzerland and France benefitted from this option (source: Club Messerschmitt Deutschland). Although the Kr 175 was slightly less powerful than the 200, it did have certain advantages. The reverse gear was mechanical, and didn't turn the direction of the engine as in the Kr200. The gear linkage was also mechanical, rather than the imprecise cable (Teleflex) used on the 200. The Kr 175 is famous for its role in the films 'Brazil' by Terry Gilliam (see photo, Kr 175 export cockpit), 'The Addams Family' (Kr 175 standard cockpit with flat windscreen), as well as the film by Georges Lacombe "belle journée en perspective" where it takes off... This is the version known as "Kabrio-Limousine", a cabriolet with supports and enveloping front wings. It was bought from Adrien Maeght twenty-five years ago by the current owner, a Parisian artist, as his first car. It has just been taken back to bare metal and re-sprayed. It boasts a black hood, black skaï and black and white imitation snakeskin upholstery, according to a design for a special version built in period for Prince Hussein of Jordan. During this work, various seals in the cockpit, aluminium side strips and other fittings were changed. It also has a sun-visor that was available as an option. This rare model, in a desirable version, provides an opportunity for a different way to get around in today's monotonous traffic.
French title - Ultimate model of the best series - Known history - Carefully restored - Ex collection Adrien Maeght The Kr 175 was the first Messerschmitt to be mass-produced, with 10,600 examples built between 1953, when it first appeared at the Geneva Motor Show, and 1955. It is, however, rarer than the Kr 200 of which some 50,000 examples were built between 1955 and 1963. This particular Messerschmitt is rarer still, as it is one of the last that could be fitted with the Kr 200 plexiglass cockpit that had come out the year before. Only those built for export to Switzerland and France benefitted from this option (source: Club Messerschmitt Deutschland). Although the Kr 175 was slightly less powerful than the 200, it did have certain advantages. The reverse gear was mechanical, and didn't turn the direction of the engine as in the Kr200. The gear linkage was also mechanical, rather than the imprecise cable (Teleflex) used on the 200. The Kr 175 is famous for its role in the films 'Brazil' by Terry Gilliam (see photo, Kr 175 export cockpit), 'The Addams Family' (Kr 175 standard cockpit with flat windscreen), as well as the film by Georges Lacombe "belle journée en perspective" where it takes off... This is the version known as "Kabrio-Limousine", a cabriolet with supports and enveloping front wings. It was bought from Adrien Maeght twenty-five years ago by the current owner, a Parisian artist, as his first car. It has just been taken back to bare metal and re-sprayed. It boasts a black hood, black skaï and black and white imitation snakeskin upholstery, according to a design for a special version built in period for Prince Hussein of Jordan. During this work, various seals in the cockpit, aluminium side strips and other fittings were changed. It also has a sun-visor that was available as an option. This rare model, in a desirable version, provides an opportunity for a different way to get around in today's monotonous traffic.