Fahrzeug Und Maschinenbau Regensburg · 1958–1961

FMR Tg500

The FMR Tg500 is a sports car built by Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Regensburg (FMR) from 1958 to 1961. Based on the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller, which otherwise was a platform for three-wheelers, the Tg500 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 an FMR. "Tg" unofficially stood for Tiger. The "Tiger" name was claimed in Germany by Krupp, who used it on one of their trucks. There was also a Panhard Dyna Z Tiger at the same time.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Features

The Tg500 incorporated several features from the Kabinenroller platform on which it was based, including the narrow body with tandem seating, the transparent acrylic bubble canopy, the low stance, and the direct steering. 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 a mirrored export version to countries that drive on the left superfluous. 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 (30.1 cu in) air-cooled two-cylinder two-stroke engine positioned transversely over the rear wheels. The engine, designed by Fichtel & Sachs, was built by FMR. The Dynastart starter/generator

Performance

In stock form, the Tg500 accelerated from 0-60 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).

Data

Heating/air conditioning: via exhaust heat exchanger / none Wheel size: 112 mm × 254 mm (4.40 in × 10 in) Weight, empty / full load: 350 / 560 kg (770 / 1,230 lb) Track, front / rear: 1.110 / 1.044 m (3 ft 7.7 in / 3 ft 5.1 in) Fuel consumption: 6.5 L/100 km (43 mpg‑imp; 36 mpg‑US) Top speed: 126 km/h (78 mph) Time to 97 km/h (60 mph): 27.8 seconds Price: DM 3,650.00 (46% of an Austin-Healey Sprite)

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: FMR Tg500
Manufacturer: Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Regensburg (FMR), Regensburg, Germany
aka: Tiger
Production: 1958-1961, 320 made
Class: Microcar
Body style: bubble-top coupé, convertible, or roadster; two seats in tandem.
Layout: RR layout
Platform: Messerschmitt Kabinenroller
Engine: See engine infobox below
Transmission: 4-speed plus reverse, unsynchronized
Wheelbase: 74.2 in
Length: 118.1 in
Width: 50.0 in
Height: 49.0 in
Kerb weight: 858 lb
Designer: Fritz Fend
Top speed: 80 km/h

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3353465CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FMR_Tg500CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373936389 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FMR_Tg500_Classic-Gala_2021_1X7A0181.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Alexander Migl · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.