Formerly Owned by the American Daredevil Legend Evel Knievel, Coming Out of 25 Year Private Ownership, Offered by Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey Garage

191 cc 2-stroke Fichtel and Sachs single-cylinder engine, 9.7 HP, four-speed manual gearbox, hydraulic shock absorber suspension on all three wheels; wheelbase: 79.9”

During World War II, the Messerschmitt Company produced German fighter planes such as the popular ME109 fighter. The company came into existence in 1923 and was founded by Professor Willy Messerschmitt. When WWII came to a close, the company was prohibited from manufacturing aircraft, so they switched to manufacturing parts for the automobile and sewing machine industries.

Designs for the Messerschmitt automobiles began as early as 1953 by Fritz Fend. The Messerschmitt three-wheeled KR175 Kabinenroller, or enclosed scooter, was the original Messerschmitt. Power was from a one-cylinder, two-stroke, engine that displaced 175 cc and produced 9.5 horsepower.The rear-mounted engine powered the single rear wheel and was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. The cars were suspended by a rubber torsilastic suspension, and braking was provided by mechanical drum brakes. Steering was by a handlebar-type system. The interior cockpit had room for two, with the passenger sitting behind the driver. In total, around 10,000 examples were sold.

The KR200 was introduced in 1955 and was powered by a larger, two-stroke engine that displaced 191 cc, and horsepower rose to 10. Some had a bubble canopy top formed from Plexiglas, but the desirable Kabrio available here has a removable cloth top with no window frames. New for 1958 were hydraulic shocks. The KR200 had an innovative reverse gear where the engine could be spun the opposite way to go backwards, raising the possibility of going very fast in reverse! Approximately 30,000 KR200 models were produced, with many of the 1957 and 1958 models being transitional as older parts were used up, and this fine example is one of those models. The owner reports the rare Kabrio is in fine mechanical condition and runs well.
From his humble roots in the unlikely town of Butte, Montana, Evel Knievel rode his motorcycle and guts to an unparalleled level of worldwide glory and fame, much of which he still carries with him today as the King of the Daredevils. He is recognized around the world as the holder of the most broken bones record, being an unwavering optimist, self-promoter extraordinaire, media genius, and an enigmatic folk hero — a true American legend. Knievel’s nationally televised motorcycle jumps, including his 1974 attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon at Twin Falls, Idaho, represent four of the twenty most-watched television events of the decade, including the number one spot ever on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. His achievements and failures, including his record 35 broken bones, earned him several entries in the Guinness Book of World Records. Knievel loved fast cars and motorcycles, and owned hundreds during his career, but this humble little Messerschmitt was a favorite, perhaps due to both of them being of German descent. Always the patriot, he had it painted in his trademark red, white, and blue.

Coming out of the 27-year private ownership of noted Neurosurgeon, and often times Evel Knievel's personal physician, Dr. Lonnie Hammargren, Richard Rawlings of the famous Gas Monkey Garage was vacationing in Las Vegas, and while visiting the good Doctor’s eclectic collection, spied the clean Messerschmitt and finally wrestled it away from the long term owner. Complete with a video of Evel’s son Robbie Knievel discussing the car with Dr. Hammargren, and a signed affidavit from Robbie stating that this is the actual car his famous father owned, Richard bought it on the spot and is bringing it to The Houston Classic Auction to sell it at NO RESERVE. Own a piece of pop culture history by bidding on this 1958 Messerschmitt KR 200 Kabrio.