One of the most well-known manufacturers of microcars is Messerschmitt. They were designed by German engineer Fritz Fend, who experimented with creating alternative forms of transportation; he found support from Willy Messerschmitt. Since Messerschmitt’s company was no longer permitted to produce airplanes after the war, he started looking for a new product to manufacture, and Fend and Messerschmitt settled on the concept of a vehicle with three wheels and tandem seating.
By 1957, Messerschmitt’s automotive branch was purchased by the German government, and the same style of cars continued to be produced under the name Fahrzeug und Maschinebau GmbH Regensburg, abbreviated to F.M.R. It is under this name that the company would produce their finest model yet, the Tg 500, also known as the “Tiger.” It was based on the monocoque of the Messerschmitt KR 200 three-wheeled car, however, the Tiger was equipped with four larger wheels, larger brakes, larger front suspension arms, larger headlamps, and, of course, a larger engine. The Tg 500 accelerated from rest to 60 mph in 28 seconds and had a top speed of 78 mph. Of the 320 examples of the Tiger produced, it is believed that only 150 survive.
Story by RM Sotheby’s
