FMR Tg500

FMR Tg500
Overview
Manufacturer	Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Regensburg (FMR), Regensburg, Germany
Also called	Tiger
Production	1958-1961 320 made
Designer	Fritz Fend
Body and chassis
Class	microcar
Body style	bubble-top coupé,convertible, or roadster; two seats in tandem.
Layout	RR layout
Platform	Messerschmitt Kabinenroller
Powertrain
Engine	see engine infobox below
Transmission	4-speed plus reverse, unsynchronized
Dimensions
Wheelbase	1.88 m (74.2 in)
Length	3.00 m (118.1 in)
Width	1.27 m (50.0 in)
Height	1.24 m (49.0 in)
Curb weight	858 lb (389 kg)

FMR 500 L
Tg500 engine and rear suspension
Overview
Manufacturer	Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Regensburg (FMR) (designed by Fichtel & Sachs)
Production	1958-1961
Combustion chamber
Configuration	Straight-twin engine
Displacement	493 cc
Cylinder bore	67 mm
Piston stroke	70 mm
Valvetrain	Piston-ported two-stroke
Compression ratio	6.5:1
Combustion
Fuel system	Bing downdraft 28 mm carburettor
Fuel type	Two-stroke petrol-oil mixture
Oil system	Petrol/oil mixture: 30:1 for a new engine 40:1 after broken in
Cooling system	air, one induction fan per cylinder
Output
Power output	19.5 PS (14.3 kW; 19.2 hp) at 5000 rpm
Torque output	33.2 N·m (24.5 ft·lb) at 4000 rpm

The FMR Tg500 was a sports car built by Fahrzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Regensburg (FMR) from 1958 to 1961. Based on the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller monocoque, 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 a 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.

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.

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.

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.