Micro Cars to be offered at MOTOSTALGIA‏

Some of the rarest and finest Micro Collector Cars will be offered at the Keels & Wheels Auction on Friday, May 2nd at the Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas. Some of the most eye-catching, and collectible microcars from the 1935 Morgan to the 1969 Subaru "Jolly" will be offered along with over 85+ of the rarest and finest collector cars on the market.

including:

1957 Messerschmitt KR200 Kabrio Convertible

Lot: 135 Estimate:$35,000 - $50,000Vin: 5366410.2 hp, 191 cc. 1-cyl two stroke Fichtel & Sachs engine Lenght: 9’3”.

The Model...Some find it hard to believe that the little three wheel cabin scooter we know as the Messerschmitt is a product of the same company who provided the air power for Hitler in WWII. But it does indeed come from the same people that were only years before producing fighter planes for Germany's war effort. Not surprisingly, after the war the Allies politely asked the people at Messerschmitt to cease and desist all aircraft production. With no significant revenue stream, the company teamed up with Fritz Fend, also an aircraft engineer, to build what has become an icon in the micro car industry, the kabinenroller, or cabin scooter. The three wheeled scooter with a bubble top canopy design did have some fighter plane characteristics from the tail dragger era, in its own harmless way. While Messerschmitt did attach their name to the funny little scooter, a separate company called Regensburger Stahl- und Metallbau GmbH, was formed to take over manufacturing of the scooter.

In 1957, the KR200 Kabrio model was added to the line-up. Addressing the issue of poor ventilation and a ‘greenhouse effect’ on sunny days, common predicaments of the original bubble top specifications, Kabrio models featured a cloth convertible top and fixed side window frames

The Car...Bought out of a collection 15 years years ago and placed into another, the fully restored, three wheel scooter is finished in an ivory white paint that presents nicely as does the broad red stripe across the bottom that creates the two tone scheme. For a tiny vehicle there is plenty of trim and this example has a complete set, all of which is placed precisely and finishes the exterior visually.

Once inside the cabin, you find yourself nestled comfortably in a new red vinyl seat with white piping that gives no indication of use. As you look around inside you will notice the lack of unnecessary accessories. Only a speedometer and a clock dawn the dash. The rest of your surrounding are finished in the same red vinyl which are also in like new condition.

All ten horsepower are present and accounted for. The two stroke engine is reported to run nicely and provides enough power, when passed through the 4 speed transmission, to propel the little cabin scooter to over 50 MPH. Ironically enough, this micro car will achieve its maximum speed in both forward and reverse. To move the Messerschmitt backwards you simply push the key in a little further and start the engine running backwards!

Sometimes a person wants something a little more subdued than a tire smoking muscle car and for those days a Messerschmitt might be just what the doctor ordered. Just imagine all the fun that is waiting to be had riding around the neighborhood tandem in your new Messerschmitt.

Lot: 117 1957 BMW Isetta WITHOUT RESERVE

Estimate:$25,000 - $35,000

Selling Without Reserve

Vin: 512145

13 Hp, 298 cc, single cylinder 4 stroke engine, 4-speed manual transmission, modified dubonnet independent front suspension,semi-elliptical rear leaf springs with live rear axle, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 85”

THE MODEL… The origins of the Isetta can be traced back to Italy, but it is the German company BMW who made it a hit. In the early 1950s, Renzo Rivolta, the owner of the Italian firm Iso SpA, decided that he wanted to make a small car for the masses. When introduced in Turin in the fall of 1953, the Isetta created a sensation in the motoring market. Taking his interest beyond the ‘bubble car’ to sports cars, Rivolta became highly interested in licensing deals. In fall of 1954, BMW bought both the license and the complete body tooling, setting forth to make the Isetta their own.

After finding success with the Isetta 250, BMW continued production of the cars and in 1956 rolled out their new model: The Isetta 300 (or “Isetta Moto Coupe DeLuxe”). BMW ditched the bubble windows that had earned earlier models the affectionate nickname “the bubble car”. With its new flat windows that could now be slid open and a newly enlarged engine cranking out a whopping 13 HP, the Isetta would be able to reach speeds over 50 MPH.

THE CAR… This delightful little car underwent a frame-off restoration in 2005 after spending 25 years in storage. Placed back into storage following the completion of the restoration, the car has recently enjoyed being exercised on short jaunts around town. The restoration remains in tip-top condition, the red paint is beautifully applied and not to be outshone, the chrome bumpers present nicely. With the front door swung open, the single bench seat, covered in black vinyl, offers the new owner the full life of the material.

Even after spending half of its life in storage, this well cared for Isetta is no “trailer queen”, the owner reports that the engine fires up when asked and the 4-speed transmission and clutch gladly put the 13 HP to the wheels. While this car looks like a show car, it is ready for a trip around the neighborhood that will not only bring a smile to your face but to everyone who observes this little wonder cruising the streets.

1969 Subaru 360 “Jolly” Resort Runabout

Lot: 110 Estimate:

$20,000 - $35,000WITHOUT RESERVEVin: K111L6035

56 cc, 2-stroke in-line 2-cylinder engine, 4-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase 95.2”THE MODEL… Ownership of an automobile in Japan was a rare luxury due to the expense of vehicle license fees, road-use taxes, and fuel. In the 1950’s Japanese government officials decided more of its population should be mobilized with personal, affordable transportation and set down a list of how these vehicles should be equipped, often referred to as the Kei Car. Compact dimensions, small engines, 360cc or less, and excellent fuel economy were the initial dictates. Subaru answered the call with their Model 360 in 1958. It was a very popular in Japan and by the late 1960’s, export versions were first sold in Australia, eventually making its way to the United States in 1970 courtesy of one of the great promoters of automobiles, Malcolm Bricklin. These cars were great for around town jaunts, but when it came to going on a road trip, just about anything else would have been a better choice. When new there were a number of variants produced, everything from light duty delivery vans or pickups to roll-back open top cabriolets. According to our research about a dozen special open-top roadsters were delivered to the United States for use at fair-weather resort-type locales. THE CAR… Beautifully restored, all seam lines and edges are blended and smoothed, the windscreen is clean and clear and the seats are fresh looking and soft to the touch. The body work on this car has been configured to allow easy access for both front and rear passengers and is fitted with an Audiovox stereo system for your listening enjoyment. A cross-bar support runs from side-to-side to help insure that body integrity of this fun looking little cruiser. Mechanically, this is a sound car with a two stroke engine and the transmission is reported to shift easily with a light touch of the clutch pedal. Showing just over 14,450 miles on the odometer, this car is pure enjoyment to own and drive and best of all, it takes up less than half the space of a full-size car. We are pretty sure you will not setting any land speed records with this Subaru 360, but imagine touring the Bonneville Salt Flats in this open ride, perfect for taking the crew to the staging area, or how about a super-cool little runabout for your ranch or estate. The possibilities are endless in this Subaru, where you are bound to have a “jolly” good time.

more details at http://www.motostalgia.com


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