People of this generation never heard about the Goggomobil Dart. This was a vintage microcar from Australia. The Goggomobil Dart was a roadster built on a German platform. This was a limited-edition model sold between 1959 to 1961. The car was built by Buckle Motors in Sydney. It was one of those rare Australian cars with fiberglass panels. Let us see about the 1959 Goggomobil Dart.
Engines
Goggomobil Dart was equipped with a parallel-twin and two-stroke engine. The engine was not advanced, but it offered a speed around 60mph. For a microcar, the focus will be on features and fuel efficiency. This was the reason for Goggomobil Dart’s low speed and torque. As it was built around lightweight fiberglass components, the acceleration and handle were good. This was a rear-engine layout car and the traction was excellent as a result. People didn’t think about the performance of Goggomobil Dart as it was purely designed for daily rides.
Technology
The mechanics of Goggomobil Dart were great. Some said this was advanced as it was a microcar. It was built on a German pressed-steel chassis with fiberglass. The air-cooled system was placed as an alternative to the radiator. It was a 4-speed manual gearbox vehicle. There are big tires with hydraulic drum brakes. The acceleration and control for the vehicle were great. Among all technology, the fiberglass body panels were the most talked about as those were completely new especially for a microcar from Australia.
Interior Features
The styling was done by Bill Buckle. Interior was functional with basic features like bucket seats, metal dashboard, central speedometer, vinyl upholstery, luggage compartment, and side curtains. The dashboard featured warning lights and fuel gauge meter. It was a sporty styling with minimal luxury features.
Short Production Time
The Goggomobil Dart production time was a few months. This was a massive advantage as the manufacturers were able to save bucks. As it was designed by an experienced automobile designer, the job was made easier. Goggomobil Dart was made with fiberglass components, and this was another advantage as it saved both money and time. It was a 2-seater stylish roadster. Some models were launched even without doors.
Designs
Bill Buckle did an extraordinary job as a designer of the Goggomobil Dart. The car had the face of a cartoon character. It was an open-top roadster with a pointed nose, short rear deck, rounded fenders, and proportions. On the side, there were flowing body lines and overhangs. Goggomobil Dart was available in premium colors like yellow, red, blue, green, and cream. It looked like a miniature car when it was unveiled.
A Rare Car
If the total production of a car is not even 1000, then it is definitely special and rare. The Goggomobil Dart fell in the same category as other classic cars. In 3 years, not more than 700 models were produced. Goggomobil Dart made its debut in 1959 and the price was exactly £695 Australian pounds. The conversion of USD was around $1,500 USD. As the car was launched in Sydney, it was sold in Australia, New Zealand, England, Sweden, and North America.