Messerschmitt KR175 or Kabineneroller, Karo Mivalino of the 1950s

The KR175 established several features unique to the Kabinenroller platform. Externally, the narrow body, the transparent acrylic bubble canopy and low stance were among the more obvious features.
Tandem seating


The narrow body, and corresponding low frontal area, was achieved with tandem seating, which also allowed the body to taper like an aircraft fuselage, within a practical length. The front fenders did not have wheel cutouts

Bubble canopy

Entry to the KR175 was through a canopy door hinged on the right side of the vehicle. The door included all the windows (windshield on both models, window frames and acrylic bubble on closed version) and the frame in which they were set, extending from the right side of the monocoque tub to the left.

The bubble went completely around the cockpit with cutouts for window frames at the sides and a small, flat glass windshield at the front. The windshield wiper was manually operated.
Engine and transmission

The KR175 ran on a 173 cc (10.6 cu in) Fichtel & Sachs air-cooled single cylinder two-stroke engine positioned in front of the rear wheel, just behind the passenger's seat. The engine was started with a pull rope as standard, but there was an option of an electric starter. The transmission was a sequential, positive-stop type with four speeds and no synchronization nor reverse gear.

Controls

The KR175 was steered with tubular steel handlebars. Operated by pushing rather than by turning, the steering bar was connected directly to the track rods of the front wheels, providing an extremely direct response best suited to small, measured inputs. The gearshift lever, on the right side of the cockpit, had a secondary lever on it which operated the clutch. The throttle was operated by a twist-grip on the left handlebar. The footbrake pedal, which was the only pedal in the car, operated brakes on all three wheels mechanically, using cables. The handbrake lever operated similarly.

 Mi-Val Mivalino
Italian motorcycle manufacturer Metalmeccanica Italiana Valtrompio s.p.a., makers of the brand Mi-Val, assembled KR175s in Brescia, Italy, using components imported from Messerschmitt but with their own 172 cc (10.5 cu in) two-stroke engine installed. These cars were sold as the Mi-Val Mivalino.