As some of you have likely seen, one of my favorite aspects of vintage car culture is asking the question of, “How did it get here?” That’s certainly the case with this 1958 Tempo Matador, a German-made utility van that was obviously never sold stateside and is listed here on craigslist in an ad with very little information that shows it to be in Minnesota, with an asking price of $5,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Andria A. for the find.
The Matador was seemingly built under license by a few different companies, and enjoyed some initial success as a well-designed mover of goods and equipment. Post-WWII Germany also sparked some success for the company, as municipal agencies were in need of a reliable utility vehicle. The company at first collaborated with VW, using their engines for drivetrains, but VW would later sever the relationship in pursuit of their own vehicle – the classic Type 2.
I cannot confirm if Tempo ever exported their vehicles to the U.S. I’ve seen some isolated mentions of it, but it seems unlikely to me, especially given how few are for sale today. The later Matadors like this one used Austin A50 motors for powerplants, and the says this example still runs and drives. The large-scale use of that motor is likely a big reason why this one is still on the road, assuming the Austin engine is still with the van.
Bodywork isn’t great, but it’s definitely not bad enough to scrap this rare Matador. These were front-wheel-drive vehicles, so it makes sense to see the burly snow tires mounted on the front axle. The original hubcaps, bumpers, and glass are all important details, as finding replacements is likely going to be a challenge. Have any of you ever seen, or driven, a Tempo Matador?
Classic grille needs turned upside down to remove the sad frown. Kidding but it does look that way…🙁
The bondo needs to be removed as it’s a water absorption product unpainted.
The question are how much rust under the mud? Floors and frame?
It’s definitely a cool looking Van that
will need fabrication metal if possibly body panels from other van makes (VW?) in that time frame aren’t available to cut and fit.
Never seen, nor heard of this make before. My guess as to ‘how did it get here’ is that a member of the US military brought it over. Definitely can see some resemblance to the VW in this
I have seen a Matador, but it was the South African Matador.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P80lPokXUKc, just turn off the speakers to see it.
Try this again.
I have seen a Matador, but it was the South African model as per:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P80lPokXUKc
Be sure to turn off your sound!
That’s what’s great about this site. When I see a vehicle I’ve never heard of, I have to look it up. Truly an unusual design, with a VW motor behind the front seats, on a sub frame of sorts. I’d have to think, for a small van, it had more power than a Multipla or a DKW 3 cylinder. 3rd pic down shows the chassis. I’m surprised those motors didn’t overheat.
http://www.oldbug.com/tempo.htm
This one has an Austin engine, that should solve any cooling issues. I can picture them deciding to switch from VW power: “we want it to stay cool, but it has to be slow still…”
What a restoration!! It was a labor of love—he’ll never get his money out of it but obviously doesn’t care. I wonder where he got those trafficators done. I’ve been looking for years to have mine rebuilt.
MikeH,
I’ve been out of the restoration business for a while now, but my memory says that J. Curto, the guy who restored SU carbs in the NYC area, also rebuilt trafficators, and I think Nisonger Instruments did as well.
Thanks Bill. I’m familiar with both, but never thought to ask about trafficators. Thanks for the info.
These sold in the US in small numbers.
They were victims of the so-called chicken tax.
One dealer was long time St
Louis Dodge agency Ray Rixman Dodge.
Looks like a catfish!!!
Will go well with a ’58 Packard.
I’ve seen ones for sale periodically, but rarely. Definitely a unique vehicle. Most of the ones that I’ve heard about have been VW powered.
The most iconic styling of the Tempo Matador units were the ones produced between (1949-1952). Only 1,326 were ever produced. The first 100 production trucks, being test vehicles, were destroyed after they were run into the ground. Very few around today. Utilized a 25hp VW powerplant coupled to a 4spd. splitcase/ crash box transaxle. Front wheel drive with no drive shaft to the rear. Incorporated suicide doors and featured a fairly spartan but stylish interior. I am currently resurrecting a 1950 Matador that I purchased out of Uruguay a few years back. Cool one-of-a-kind 3/4 ton truck…plans are to do a slight resto-mod., maintaining it’s aircooled heritage and increasing hp via a stroked, dual carbureted powerplant mated to a freeway flyer transmission. “Keep on innovating not duplicating”
This sure does have some VW van styling going on,
It would be cool to make it a 23 window version..just
to freak out the VW bus owners..LOL..!
This is really a cool lil’ van,the possibilities are endless.
Parts must be rare to find,and probably pricey..?
would love to see it restored/resto mod.great find..!
Most of them end up owned by VW collectors. There are a lot of them in Australia too.
They were also produced in India by firodia motors and ran on an OM 636 derived diesel engine. Getting rarer to find here off late too
Fascinating lineage, from Harburger to Tempo, Hanomag, Hanomag-Henschel, Force and ultimately through to Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes made a VW lookalike van in the late 60’s, early 70’s? that was front wheel drive and in diesel form used an Austin-Morris B series diesel, now that was slowwwwwwwwww
That was a direct descendant of this one.
Rather then ask, how did it get here, we should ask if it can go back where it came from.
I love “odd” vehicles from Germany and other European countries from the post-war period. Probably (or highly likely) saw these there during my tour of duty and return visits. I’d estimate 5 vehicles per day for years that I only had a glimmer of what they were. Usually if they had no legible name plate. Since this example has no rear ID, it fell in that category. Anyway, I agree with Dovi65, in that a someone connected to the military sent this home…
This exact van is forsale in New Hampshire right now along with a black one
I had a Coachbuilt camper version of this model with the same Austin engine. It was massive and painfully slow, but magnificent just the same. It had some amazing history too.
Google Tempo Matador Mikafa and you will find some pics and details.
Parts are unobtanium, but they are super cool just the same.
I own the sister to this bus!!
A 1958 Tempo Matador!!
Same van
These are vans have a very interesting story.
Umm this exact van sits on the side of the road in New Hampshire for sale in the same exact shape ot is in this post along with a black one your didn’t have a black one did you ?
For the record MikeH,
Not only did the owner get his money out of it, this unit sold for somewhere in the neighborhood of $110,000 US. It currently resides in an automotive museum in Germany. And so far as semaphore restorations go, there are a few excellent sources that have been refurbishing indicators to a high level for many years…
TR—I’m glad he got that kind of money. It was certainly worth it. Would you please contact me about the semi phones? mharrel2005 at ya—-dot com? Thanks
I’ve always thought these look like some deep-sea nightmare fish. The catfish comment is spot on as well. They are sure interesting vehicles. This seems like a bit of a bargain actually, given how popular these are with VW folks. Maybe they aren’t as big on the non-aircooled ones.
Umm this exact van sits on the side of the road in New Hampshire for sale in the same exact shape ot is in this post along with a black one
I have a sales brochure for these vehicles, very nice, in English. Talks about the 52 Hp. Austin 1489 CC engine. US. importer was FADEX COMMERCIAL CORP. NYC, NY. & Long Beach, Ca. The picture of their KOMBI looks a lot like a 1968 bay window VW bus.