Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 104
1959 Heinkel KR153 Kabinenroller Chassis no. 1532611
Sold for €27,025 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 104
1959 Heinkel KR153 Kabinenroller
1959 Heinkel KR153 Kabinenroller
Chassis no. 1532611
Chassis no. 1532611
• Desirable 204cc model
• German-built example
• Fully restored to a very high standard in 2020
• Registered in the EU, in Ireland
Perhaps the biggest mystery concerning Ernest Heinkel's Kabinenroller is how its creator got away with producing a design outwardly so similar to the Isetta. Launched in 1956, the Heinkel used a 175cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine originally developed for a motor scooter and, while closely resembling the Isetta, was both lighter and roomier, even providing children's seats in the rear. A four-speed gearbox made the Heinkel nippy in traffic, while a simplified design of front-opening door avoided the complication of its rival's jointed steering column. Larger-engined (204cc and 198cc) models were offered later, as well as four-wheeled versions, convertibles and vans. After around 6,000 had been made, production was discontinued in Germany in June 1958 but continued in other countries, Ireland included, where approximately 6,500 were built by Dundalk Engineering before the rights transferred to Trojan in the UK in 1961.
A three-wheeled model, this outstanding example of the iconic Heinkel 'bubble car' was fully restored to a very high standard in 2020. It is described by the vendor as in immaculate condition and a pleasure to drive, being remarkably responsive, very comfortable and gratifyingly economical, driving well through all gears. This example has the desirable 204cc engine and is said to be capable of cruising happily at up to 80km/h (50mph). Unlike some other bubble cars, the Heinkel had a reverse gear and came well equipped with an electric starter, safety windscreen and rack-and-pinion steering. The car is offered with an EU registration certificate and a workshop manual.
• German-built example
• Fully restored to a very high standard in 2020
• Registered in the EU, in Ireland
Perhaps the biggest mystery concerning Ernest Heinkel's Kabinenroller is how its creator got away with producing a design outwardly so similar to the Isetta. Launched in 1956, the Heinkel used a 175cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine originally developed for a motor scooter and, while closely resembling the Isetta, was both lighter and roomier, even providing children's seats in the rear. A four-speed gearbox made the Heinkel nippy in traffic, while a simplified design of front-opening door avoided the complication of its rival's jointed steering column. Larger-engined (204cc and 198cc) models were offered later, as well as four-wheeled versions, convertibles and vans. After around 6,000 had been made, production was discontinued in Germany in June 1958 but continued in other countries, Ireland included, where approximately 6,500 were built by Dundalk Engineering before the rights transferred to Trojan in the UK in 1961.
A three-wheeled model, this outstanding example of the iconic Heinkel 'bubble car' was fully restored to a very high standard in 2020. It is described by the vendor as in immaculate condition and a pleasure to drive, being remarkably responsive, very comfortable and gratifyingly economical, driving well through all gears. This example has the desirable 204cc engine and is said to be capable of cruising happily at up to 80km/h (50mph). Unlike some other bubble cars, the Heinkel had a reverse gear and came well equipped with an electric starter, safety windscreen and rack-and-pinion steering. The car is offered with an EU registration certificate and a workshop manual.
Footnotes
1959 - Heinkel KR153 Kabinenroller
Châssis n° 1532611
• Séduisante version 204 cm3
• Exemplaire de construction allemande
• Complètement restaurée en 2020, à un très haut niveau d'exigence
• Immatriculation européenne irlandaise
Le plus grand mystère concernant le Kabinenroller d'Ernest Heinkel est la façon dont il est parvenu à mettre en production un concept d'aspect aussi identique à l'Isetta. Lancée en 1956, la Heinkel utilisait un monocylindre à quatre temps de 175 cm3 développé à l'origine pour un scooter. Même si elle ressemblait beaucoup à l'Isetta, elle était à la fois plus légère et plus spacieuse ; elle disposait même à l'arrière de sièges pour enfants. Avec sa boîte à quatre rapports, elle se faufilait avec vivacité, et la conception simplifiée de sa porte avant lui avait par ailleurs permis d'éviter la complexité de la colonne attelée de sa rivale. De plus grosses cylindrées, 198 et 204 cm3, furent proposées par la suite, ainsi que des versions à quatre roues, des décapotables et des vans. Sa production prit fin en Allemagne en juin 1958, au bout d'environ 6 000 exemplaires, mais elle se poursuivit dans d'autres pays, dont l'Irlande où environ 6 500 autres furent construites par Dundalk Engineering, avant que ses droits soient transférés en 1961 à Trojan, au Royaume-Uni.
Cet extraordinaire exemplaire de l'iconique 'voiture bulle' de Heinkel, une version à trois roues, fut restaurée en 2020 à un très haut niveau d'exigence. Son propriétaire la décrit comme étant dans un état impeccable, plaisante à conduire, remarquablement réactive, roulant bien sur tous les rapports de boîte, très confortable et agréablement économique. Elle est équipée du moteur de 204 cm3 et serait capable de rouler sereinement à 80 km/h. Contrairement à d'autres voitures du même type, cette Heinkel dispose d'une marche arrière et elle est bien équipée : démarreur électrique, pare-brise de sécurité et direction à crémaillère. Elle est munie d'un certificat d'immatriculation d'un pays de l'UE et d'un manuel d'atelier.
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