In Monza-Red with “torpedo” lamps.

SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Fahrzeug und Maschinenbau

Origin: Regensburg, Germany

Production: 25,350

Motor: Fichtel & Sachs 1-cyl, 2-stroke

Displacement: 191 cc

Power: 9.5 hp

Length: 9 ft. 3 in.

Identification No. 69522

This car’s serial number puts it just after the third major overhaul of the Messerschmitt in December 1958. This involved the F.M.R.-in-rings badge, along with the “whiskers,” which were being replaced by the F.M.R.-in-diamonds badge, and the “comet tail” trim. However, transitions from one model to the next were not sharply delineated as stocks were used up, so this car still has the “whiskers,” and it probably had an F.M.R.-in-circles badge. Also, the factory was less fussy about the export markets getting the latest German specs. There are other indicators of the previous 1958 model, such as the aluminum window knobs and the plain hubcaps.

The Monza-Red color was one of eight bright, new, single tones just introduced. Also, five new silver, grey, and blue metallic shades reflected the recent interest in the space race. There were four interior trim colors to choose from.

This car has a cabriolet top, which was just introduced as a new model in the fall, and it was intended to be interchangeable with the bubble top, if one wished. It sports the fender-top and torpedo tail lamps fitted to British-market cars. The torpedo lamps have been very difficult to obtain in recent years, making this example highly desirable and lacking nothing.