This is as much a judgement of why one owns a microcar, style, use or collectors item, as it is a list of desirable cars. Interesting though. I cannot really get away from the fact that a cars prime reason to exist is as transport. If it fails on this level it cannot really be on the list for me and maybe that makes me a bore. Also there is the fact that the concept might be brilliant but the product actually fundamentally flawed by lack of cash or an engineering problem. So do we allow redeveloped cars in?
So my fav cars are
John Bannell's Frankenschmitt at number 1. It answers all the problems of the standard KR200, is well engineered and is what FMR should/could have done instead of making the Tiger. They would have sold shed loads. It has the unfair advantage of being a Messerschmitt which is clearly one of the best cars in style, concept and execution before John improved it.
The Goggomobil is in at 2 as it is simple very good at what it does. OK a Janus is more interesting but ultimately a Goggo is a whole lot simpler to live with. The huge production run cannot be argued with. Pick of the Goggos is the Dart.
Scootacar is in at 3. It should be a MkIII ideally. This is as weird as Peels etc but unlike most of the little round cars is actually extremely usable. The appalling styling actually ends up being a factor in liking the car. With the 3T it offered the best of British with the best Villiers engine for a Microcar in the Best British microcar, for me. Sorry Bond, not a Bonder, and Berk, never had a good engine, peeps.
I own near to number 1 and getting nearer over time, 2 number twos, and as near as number 3 as I can get at the moment. Each of these cars offers the possibility of 70 MPH (though not of course a standard KR200 however it still performes with adequate alacrity to gain the honour), good brakes and reasonable ride and comfort and is thus as safe to use in modern traffic as you can get within the micro era.
Of course there is a list of top 3 fav concept microcars but that would be far harder to select and own. I would place the Heinkel in this as it should have been the best car in the group but it was never fully developed and carries several engineering faults that spoil it if you try living with it in use. With reliability it would press the Schmitt very hard and to compete with JB's Frankenshmitt it would go automatic 250cc with a re design of the front axle to sharpen up the suspension and durability and would need to be an early model with the demister etc. This is less of a period possibility as at the time autos were things like the DKW Hobby and Tina so the installation would have been rather early days for auto. Conversely the 250 MZ is right from the early '60's box of tricks.
I think the Tiger falls into this category as well. It could have been so much better but was restricted by investment constraints. That will not be a popular view but there we are.
What would I love to own or at least play with? Zundapp seems a good car. Dymexion, not really a micro! Opperman Stirling, always looked very capable. Peel Trident Trojan Mini motor V8?
