The ultimate variant of the famous Messerschmitt Kabinenroller , the Tg 500, was produced independently by Fritz Fend at his own firm, F.M.R.

Fend gave the Kabinenroller design four wheels for better balance and outfitted a 494 cc, two-stroke, twin-cylinder engine built by F.M.R.

to a Fichtel & Sachs design, mated to a four-speed gearbox with reserve on a Formula 1–inspired subframe, incorporating fully adjustable rear suspension.

The wheels and front suspension arms were increased in size, as were the headlamps and brakes—the latter now modern hydraulic units.

Even the interior was modified, with a larger, plusher seat to better hold the driver at the speeds of which the ‘Tiger’ was capable.

A powerful microcar? No—the Tg 500 was developed to be a legitimate competitor to the other post-war European sports cars.

Few took them seriously, but they should have: The model was reported to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 28 seconds and had a top speed of 78 mph.

Only 320 examples of t...