The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has added a rare and unconventional vehicle to its Ron Sturgeon Collection: a 1937 Tempo E200 three-wheeled utility truck from pre-war Germany. Painted in classic green, this quirky vehicle is now on display, offering visitors a glimpse into an era of inventive automotive design.
Manufactured by Vidal & Sohn Tempo-Werke of Hamburg, the Tempo E200 was produced in various body styles between 1936 and 1937, with only about 9,600 units ever made. Designed to be small, nimble, and practical for urban work, the E200 featured a unique front-wheel drive layout powered by a 197cc water-cooled, two-stroke single-cylinder engine, good for a modest seven horsepower.
What makes this Tempo truly remarkable is its entire front wheel, engine, transmission, and chain drive system—all mounted as a single pivoting sub-assembly. This unusual design allowed for surprisingly agile maneuvering, even in tight European alleyways. The Tempo 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. Mechanical rear drum brakes, reverse-hinged doors, B-pillar trafficators, a drop-down tailgate, and a functional cargo bed complete its utilitarian charm.
Inside, the spartan dash is equipped with vintage essentials: a starter button, trafficator switch, ignition key, and warning lamps. The three-spoke steering wheel sits proudly in front of the centrally mounted gear shifter, reminding drivers just how hands-on 1930s motoring could be.
Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, said, "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 is located at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137, and offers free admission and parking. Hours of operation are Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the museum's website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
