The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has unveiled a rare 1937 Tempo E200, a three-wheeled utility truck from pre-war Germany, now part of the museum's Ron Sturgeon Collection. Manufactured by Vidal & Sohn Tempo-Werke of Hamburg, the Tempo E200 was produced between 1936 and 1937, with only about 9,600 units ever made. This particular example, painted in classic green, showcases the unconventional engineering that made the Tempo a standout in its era.
Designed for urban work, the E200 features a unique front-wheel drive layout powered by a 197cc water-cooled, two-stroke single-cylinder engine, producing a modest seven horsepower. What sets the Tempo apart is its entire front wheel, engine, transmission, and chain drive system mounted as a single pivoting sub-assembly, allowing for surprisingly agile maneuvering in tight spaces. The vehicle rides on a central tube frame, with a single coil spring at the front and a swing axle with twin volute springs at the rear, complemented by mechanical rear drum brakes, reverse-hinged doors, B-pillar trafficators, a drop-down tailgate, and a functional cargo bed.
Inside, the spartan dashboard includes vintage essentials such as a starter button, trafficator switch, ignition key, and warning lamps. The three-spoke steering wheel sits in front of a centrally mounted gear shifter, emphasizing the hands-on driving experience of the 1930s.
Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, noted, "From the moment you see it, you know this isn't your average truck. The Tempo E200 is a rare survivor that showcases the ingenuity of pre-war utility design. It's strange, it's clever, and it's got more personality than vehicles ten times its size." The museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth, houses over 200 rare cars and 3,000 collectibles. It offers free parking and admission, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
The Tempo E200 is a must-see for fans of vintage European vehicles, three-wheeled oddities, and rare automotive design. Its presence at the museum underscores the importance of preserving such unique engineering artifacts, offering visitors a glimpse into pre-war utilitarian innovation.
