Bruce Weiner’s Microcar Museum in Madison, Georgia is the largest collection of little cars in the world that will be offered at RM Auctions on February 15-16, 2013. Weiner spent 15 years assembling the 200-strong bounty, and beyond the size of the collection RM Auctions says many of ladybug sized vehicles are of exceptional rarity or in the best condition or the most unusual.
From this collection of car certainly stands out model the 1957 Messerschmitt KR 201 Roadster. The Messerschmitt KR200, or Kabinenroller (Cabin Scooter), was a three-wheeled bubble car designed by the aircraft engineer Fritz Fend and produced in the factory of the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt from 1955 to 1964.
In 1957, the KR200 Kabrio model was released, featuring a cloth convertible top and fixed side window frames. This was followed by the KR201 Roadster without window frames, using a folding cloth top, a windscreen, and removable side curtains. A Sport Roadster was offered with no top and with the canopy fixed into place so that the driver would have to climb in and out at the top of the car. The Roadster was a limited-production special edition, which had, in addition to its completely demountable convertible top, numerous equipment upgrades.
The KR 201 version of the popular KR 200 class is possibly the most rare Messerschmitt bubble car one could find. This model has been faithfully restored to an outstanding level of quality, poised to fetch between $60,000 and $70,000 at auction this weekend.