Messerschmitt Microcars
Written by Keith Fudge

Recently, Dennis Gage and the gang from My Classic Car took a trip to Lasswade, Scotland to meet with several owners of an almost forgotten classic:  the micro car!  While he was in Lasswade, Dennis met with Alan Forbes, who was happy to show him his own collection.  He was also good enough to call some of his buddies who own some of these cool rides!

First of all, Alan told Dennis that these small cars are becoming more difficult to find.  Alan also said that his interest in these cars came from his love of what were referred to as the “bubble top” cars of the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Alan said that there were quite a few makes of these cars.  When asked about his favorite, he cited that the Messerschmitt brand, built by German ex-aircraft makers, is his choice.  Speaking of Messerschmitts, he had several on hand to show to Dennis and the crew. 

The first car was the MS Sport Model, a three-wheel vehicle that Alan described as very stable and the kind of car that you might find someone “racing people on scooters!”  He said that these cars are extremely popular and that there were more than 10,000 produced!  Next, Alan showed Dennis the muscle car version of the micro, a Messerscmitt TG 500.  With four wheels on the ground and a curb weight of approximately 800 pounds, this mighty mite could make more than 100 miles per hour!  Powered by a 500 cc, two-stroke twin engine, this car made 24 horsepower!  Alan told Dennis that these cars are fairly rare with only 180 that were ever produced.

Soon, Dennis had the opportunity to meet some more owners of these cars and to see their cool rides!  John Miller’s 1959 Bubble Top caught Dennis’s eye, especially when John raised the one door that opened similarly to the way one would enter the cockpit of an aircraft.  This car was powered by a 191 cc, single cylinder (11 cubic-inches).  John told Dennis that he drives it all the time!  Dennis coaxed John into giving us a peek at the engine.  We were surprised to find that there was no fuel pump, and the fuel is on a gravity feed.  Next, Dennis found Ali Robertson and his 1959 Cabriolet.  Ali said that he has owned this car for 15 years and has restored it twice during that time!  In fact, he told Dennis that he used it for a daily driver for 10 years!  This car has a unique feature from the factory as the foot controls have been modified to fit on the steering wheel!  Last, Dennis had the chance to visit with Graham Johnston and take a look at his 1961 Scootacar.  There were 900 of these vehicles made from 1959 through 1961.  Featuring a fiberglass body mounted on a steel chassis, these vehicles came in three colors:  white, light blue, and red.  Powered by a 197 cc single cylinder engine, this wee beastie made 8.4 horsepower and has a top speed of 51 miles per hour!

Well, you know Dennis, and nothing would do him but to experience these micro cars first hand.  He climbed in Ali’s ‘59 Cabriolet, and they were off on a jaunt through the Scottish countryside.  After a scenic ride, the crew returned with smiles on their faces!  These little cars are so cool and their owners are so proud.  This visit to Scotland truly proved that good things do come in small packages!

That’s it from Lasswade, Scotland.  So until our next trip, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”