The Standard E1 was a motorized freight tricycle, produced from 1939 to 1945 by the Standard vehicle factory of Wilhelm Gutbrod, Germany.[1] It was an identical construction of the Tempo E 400 by Tempowerk Vidal & Sohn, built from 1938 to 1948, the design was taken as Hitler's "Standard Three-wheeler Delivery Van" (Einheits-Dreirad-Lieferwagen). It had a simple chain drive from gearbox and engine to the front wheel below.[2][3][4][5] This simple construction with a lifted center of gravity was less stable when cornering.[6] So far former vehicle designs by Gutbrod had the engine and gearbox located behind the rear axle as an underfloor engine.
| Gutbrod Standard E1 | |
|---|---|
Identical 1938 Tempo E 400 by Tempowerk Vidal & Sohn | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Gutbrod, Standard Werkzeugfabrik, Germany |
| Also called | Einheits-Dreirad-Lieferwagen |
| Model years | 1939 - 1945[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | pickup truck, |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | three-wheeler freight car |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | two-stroke engine 400 CC |
| Transmission | 3-speed gearbox |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Standard P503 |
| Successor | Standard Heck P504 |
During World War II, manufacturers were obliged by the Nazi regime dictatorship to produce weapons and accessories as well as military equipment for the war. Only a few manufacturers were allowed to continue production of civil vehicles. It was the last freight tricycle built by Gutbrod.[6] The coachbuilder Rometsch was forced to produce field kitchens, competitor Borgward produced military vehicles and least after the war the freight tricycle production was continued by its successor model.