A tiny Messerschmitt bubble car found languishing in a barn after more than 40 years is set to sell for £7,000 at auction.
The three-wheeled micro motor dates back to post-war Germany when the famous manufacturers of Luftwaffe fighter planes were banned from making aircraft.
The rare survivor was found in a barn in Wiltshire – without its distinctive Perspex bubble canopy, and covered in rust.
Messerschmitt bubble cars have become hugely collectable in recent years, and because this one has its original body, engine and gear box it is expected to generate a lot of interest.
It is tipped to sell for £7,000 at auction. When fully restored it could be worth over £30,000.
This tiny Messerschmitt bubble car was found in a barn in Wiltshire after rotting away for nearly 40 years
The vehicle, one of 40,000 built by the famous manufacturers of Luftwaffe fighter planes were banned from making aircraft, could fetch up to £7,000 at auction
When the car is fully restored and its distinctive Perspex bubble canopy returned, it could be worth £30,000. Pictured: a vintage advert for the Messerschmitt KR201
It is not known how or when the late owner came by the diminutive vehicle, a 1959 Messerschmitt KR200.
Richard Bromell, from Charterhouse Auctioneers in Sherborne, Dorset, said: ‘About 40,000 of these cars were made after the war because Messerschmidt were not allowed to make any more aircraft.
‘This one has been in a barn for decades – between 30 or 40 years. It is covered in rust and needs some serious TLC.
‘But it is complete apart from its dome cover. It has its original engine, body and gear box. It is a matching numbers machine which is what a lot of collectors like.
The classic motor has the passenger seat immediately behind the driver (pictured)
Because it is a classic car, it is MOT and tax exempt. The vehicle measures just 47.2 inches long, 111 inches tall and 48 inches wide
‘It is being sold without reserve to the highest bidder, but probably will go for between £5,000 to £7,000.
‘They are hugely popular and sought-after today. It has a 191cc engine and probably has just enough power to peel the skin off a rice pudding.
‘But being a classic car, it is MOT and tax exempt so if the new owner can get it going there is no stopping them.’
The vehicle measures just 47.2 inches long, 111 inches tall and 48 inches wide. It is two seater, with the passenger sat immediately behind the driver.
Bubble cars of this kind were sold by Messerschmitt between 1955 and 1964. The company lost interest in micro vehicles after they were allowed to create aircraft again in 1956.
It will be sold on June 23.