Fend Flitzer

In 1948, Fritz Fend in Rosenheim, Germany created a three-wheeled vehicle Fend Flitzer. Fend, a former Luftwaffe technical officer and aeronautical engineer, created an invalid carriage with a front wheel steered by handlebars and fueled by a handlebar-controlled mechanism. Following that, Fend upgraded the tricycle by coupling it with a 38 cc Victoria proprietary motor used for motorizing bicycles.

The Flitzer, an improved version of the invalid carriage designed to be powered by gasoline engine, was created by Fend with a larger and more enclosed design. It featured two front wheels attached to the steering mechanism and a powered rear wheel.

Constructed of a steel frame and aluminum panels, the Flitzer was fully enclosed with front, side and rear panels. At the top was a hatch that was hinged to the front end and tilted forward to allow the driver easy access. The first version of the Flitzer was uncovered, with only a hole and windshield in the hatch to protect the operator’s head and shoulders from the wind. Later models were fully enclosed, including the operator, windshield, and side windows.

By 1951, the Flitzer was equipped with a scooter-type saddle placed above the rear enclosure with footrests on either side of the body, in response to customer demand for passenger accommodation. Nevertheless, production of the Flitzer was discontinued that same year, after approximately 250 models had been produced. Remarkably, many able-bodied individuals purchased the Flitzer for personal use, indicating a broad market for an expanded, transportation-oriented version.

Fend then began developing a two-seater vehicle similar in concept to the Flitzer. He made a deal with Messerschmitt to produce this new design on a large scale. They called the car the Messerschmitt KR175, and it incorporated many of the same ideas as the Fend Flitzer.