The five-cylinder radial-engined sedan from Messerschmitt
Almost every classic car enthusiast knows the Tucker from America, that advanced car with a helicopter engine in the rear. But it was in 1953 that Messerschmitt developed the prototype of a car that was similarly unconventional.
A mid-range car was developed at the time, with an air-cooled five-cylinder radial engine with a displacement of 1000 cm3 and 45 hp in the rear to provide propulsion.
A continuously variable gearbox was planned as the power transmission; like the engine, it was to be as light as possible.
Only a prototype was created, the front of which was somewhat reminiscent of the Porsche 356. Aesthetics were probably not the highest priority. The passenger cell was designed to be self-supporting, while independent assemblies at the front and rear carried the suspensions and auxiliary units. Long suspension struts were intended to ensure a high level of comfort, while a connecting cross tube stabilized the suspensions.
As the automatic gearbox was not yet available, a hydraulically shiftable semi-automatic gearbox was fitted instead for the first test drives.
The P 511 prototype was certainly forward-looking, but in the end Messerschmitt gave priority to the collaboration with Fritz Fend, and the rest is history.
