Messerschmitt TG500
Encyclopedia
The FMR Tg500 was a sports car
built by Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Regensburg (FMR) from 1958 to 1961. Based on the monocoque
of the Messerschmitt KR200
three-wheeled car, it was a four-wheeled car with a two-stroke straight-two
engine. FMR had taken over production of the KR200 from Messerschmitt
in 1956. While the KR200 still used the Messerschmitt name and logo, the Tg500 was badged as a FMR.
"Tg" unofficially stood for Tiger. The "Tiger" name was claimed in Germany by Krupp who used it for a truck. (They had also made the better known Tiger tank). There were also a Panhard Dyna Z Tiger
at the same time.
and low stance were among the more obvious features.
The center of gravity of the car was at the rear seat, which meant that the presence or absence of a passenger did not change the handling characteristics of the car.
two-stroke engine positioned transversely over the rear wheels. The engine, designed by Fichtel & Sachs
, was built by FMR. The Dynastart starter/generator unit was belt driven, and had a fan at each end of the unit, one to cool each cylinder of the engine. Unlike the KR175 or the KR200, the Tg500 had a reverse gear in its transmission, which was part of a transaxle
unit.
was offered as an optional replacement for the clock.
Unlike the three-wheeled Kabinenrollers, which had cable-operated mechanical brakes, the Tg500 had hydraulic brakes.
In stock form, the Tg500 accelerated from rest to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 28 seconds and went on to a top speed of 78 mph (126 km/h). At a similar price, the first series of the Austin-Healey Sprite
accelerated from rest to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 21 seconds and went on to a top speed of 82 mph (132 km/h).
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
built by Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Regensburg (FMR) from 1958 to 1961. Based on the monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
of the Messerschmitt KR200
Messerschmitt KR200
The Messerschmitt KR200, or Kabinenroller , was a three-wheeled bubble car designed by the aircraft engineer Fritz Fend and produced in the factory of the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt from 1955 to 1964.-History:...
three-wheeled car, it was a four-wheeled car with a two-stroke straight-two
Straight-two
A straight-two engine, is a two-cylinder piston engine that has its cylinders arranged side by side....
engine. FMR had taken over production of the KR200 from Messerschmitt
Messerschmitt
Messerschmitt AG was a famous German aircraft manufacturing corporation named for its chief designer, Willy Messerschmitt, and known primarily for its World War II fighter aircraft, notably the Bf 109 and Me 262...
in 1956. While the KR200 still used the Messerschmitt name and logo, the Tg500 was badged as a FMR.
"Tg" unofficially stood for Tiger. The "Tiger" name was claimed in Germany by Krupp who used it for a truck. (They had also made the better known Tiger tank). There were also a Panhard Dyna Z Tiger
Panhard Dyna Z
The Panhard Dyna Z was a lightweight motor car made by Panhard of France. It was first presented to the press at a Paris restaurant named "Les Ambassadeurs" on 17 June 1953 and went into production the following year...
at the same time.
Features
The Tg500 incorporated several features from the KR line on which it was based. Externally, the narrow body, the transparent acrylic bubble canopyVehicle canopy
A vehicle canopy is a rarely used type of door for cars. It has no official name so it is also known as an articulated canopy, bubble canopy, cockpit canopy, canopy door, or simply a canopy. A canopy is a type of door which sits on top of a car and lifts up in some way, to provide access for...
and low stance were among the more obvious features.
Tandem seating
The narrow body, and corresponding low frontal area, was achieved with tandem seating, which also allowed the body to taper like an aircraft fuselage, within a practical length. The tandem seating also centralized the mass of the car along the longitudinal axis which, combined with the low center of gravity, low weight, and wheel placement at the vehicle's extremes, gave the Tg500 good handling characteristics. A more minor advantage of tandem seating was that it made an export version to countries that drive on the left unnecessary.The center of gravity of the car was at the rear seat, which meant that the presence or absence of a passenger did not change the handling characteristics of the car.
Bubble canopy
Except for the Sports Roadster model, entry to the Tg500 was through a canopy door hinged on the right side of the vehicle. The door included both the windows (windshield, window frames on all but the Roadster models, folding top on Roadster and Kabrio models, and acrylic bubble on other versions) and the frame in which it was set, extending from the right side of the monocoque tub to the left. On Sport Roadster models, the canopy was fixed and there was neither a top nor any windows at all, only a tonneau cover. The bubble top on the Tg500 was the same as the one used on the KR200.Engine and transmission
The Tg500 ran on a 494 cc air-cooled two-cylinderStraight-two
A straight-two engine, is a two-cylinder piston engine that has its cylinders arranged side by side....
two-stroke engine positioned transversely over the rear wheels. The engine, designed by Fichtel & Sachs
ZF Sachs
ZF Sachs AG is a German manufacturer of automotive parts, producing powertrain and suspension components. It was formerly known as Fichtel & Sachs, Mannesmann Sachs and Sachs...
, was built by FMR. The Dynastart starter/generator unit was belt driven, and had a fan at each end of the unit, one to cool each cylinder of the engine. Unlike the KR175 or the KR200, the Tg500 had a reverse gear in its transmission, which was part of a transaxle
Transaxle
In the automotive field, a transaxle is a major mechanical component that combines the functionality of the transmission, the differential, and associated components of the driven axle into one integrated assembly....
unit.
Controls
The controls of the Tg500 were similar to those of the KR200 except for the Tg500's single starting mode for the engine and its H-pattern gearshift with reverse gear and no auxiliary lever. A tachometerTachometer
A tachometer is an instrument measuring the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute on a calibrated analogue dial, but digital displays are increasingly common...
was offered as an optional replacement for the clock.
Suspension and brakes
Apart from the use of 4.40 x 10 tires all around and an increase in front track from 108 cm (43 in) to 111 cm (44 in), the front suspension and steering were the same as that on the KR200. The rear suspension was fully independent, with universal joints at both ends of each halfshaft, located by lower wishbones and coil springs with concentrically mounted shock absorbers.Unlike the three-wheeled Kabinenrollers, which had cable-operated mechanical brakes, the Tg500 had hydraulic brakes.
Performance
Austin-Healey Sprite
The Austin-Healey Sprite is a small open sports car which was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation on 20 May 1958, just before that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model that "a chap could keep in his bike shed", yet be the successor to...
accelerated from rest to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 21 seconds and went on to a top speed of 82 mph (132 km/h).
Data
- Heating/air conditioning: Via Exhaust heat exchanger/none
- Engine type: Fichtel & Sachs, 2 cylinder, 2 stroke
- Displacement: 494 cc
- Bore x stroke: 67 x 70 mm
- Compression: 6.5:1
- Power: 19.5 hp (15 kW) @ 5,000 rpm
- Torque: 33 newton metre
- Cooling: air, with fan
- Wheel size: 4.40 x 10 in (112 by 254 mm)
- Weight, empty/full load (kg): 350 (390)/560
- Track, front/rear: 1.110/1.044
- Fuel consumption: 6.5 (7.9) l/100 km, 36 (30) mi/U.S. gal., 43.4 (35.7) mi/Imp. gal.
- Top speed: 78 mph (126 km/h)
- Time to 60 mph (97 km/h): 27.8 seconds
- Years built: 1958 to 1961
- Number built: 950 (320 from another source)
- Price : DM 3,650.00 (close to that of an Austin-Healey SpriteAustin-Healey SpriteThe Austin-Healey Sprite is a small open sports car which was announced to the press in Monte Carlo by the British Motor Corporation on 20 May 1958, just before that year's Monaco Grand Prix. It was intended to be a low-cost model that "a chap could keep in his bike shed", yet be the successor to...
)