The Messerschmitt KR200 1959

In 1952, German aircraft engineer Fritz Fend presented a design for a Kabinenroller, or Cabin Scooter, to the Messerschmitt aircraft corporation, which had been prohibited from manufacturing aircrafts after World War II and was seeking other vehicles to produce.

Three years later, the three-wheeled Messerschmitt KR200 was released to immediate success; 12,000 were built in the first year alone.

The KR200 with its tandem seating, 56 MPH top speed and hinged bubble canopy, was an affordable and attractive step up from a typical scooter.

A KR201 Roadster model was also produced. It featured a convertible cloth top and removable side curtains.

Some 40,000 Kabinenroller models rolled out between 1955 and 1964. Production of the not-quite-car eventually ceased as the vehicles were overshadowed by more robust compact cars like the Mini.