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The infamous Goggomobil Dart is one of approximately 700 examples constructed in Sydney during the 1950s
It’s the car brand that every Australian aged over 40 can spell, at least the first five letters anyway, thanks to a successful Yellow Pages ad campaign.
But although the commercial would note “It’s not the Dart, they always think it’s the Dart…”, this silver Goggomobil microcar is, in fact, the Dart, and it could be yours.
Offered for sale by auction in Melbourne, the 1959 Goggomobil Dart Roadster is one of an estimated 700 examples built in Sydney during the 1950s.
Finished in silver, the petit two-seater has a black interior paired with a folding fabric roof and features the ‘high power’ 392cc two-cylinder engine. The car has been upgraded with electronic ignition and LED lighting elements, and the seats are not original.
The auction listing notes the car has a fuel issue and currently doesn’t run, but is supplied with a historic file along with a collection of parts.
With just 6363 miles on the odometer, the pint-sized roadster can form a talking point at your next car meet, not only for its pop-culture fame, but for being, for the most part, an Australian car.
Originally produced by Glas GmbH in Dingolfing, Germany, Goggomobil produced a line of tiny cars and light-commercial vehicles powered by motorcycle-style two-stroke engines. Between 1955 and 1969, the company produced a staggering 284,491 vehicles before Glas was purchased by BMW. Goggomobil’s hometown of Dingolfing is still the site of BMW’s largest production factory.
Australian businessman and car dealer Bill Buckle saw an opportunity for the tiny German cars on local soil and between 1957 and 1961 imported Goggomobil running gear and constructed cars in Sydney using fibreglass rather than steel bodywork.
Additionally, Buckle developed a two-seat roadster, unique to the Australian market, and the Goggomobil Dart was born.
What was it like?
With a kerb weight of around 350kg but a tiny 392cc two-stroke engine, don’t expect rocketship performance. For first-hand experience, Drive’s own Tony Davis had the fortune (or misfortune) to own one. Read about it here.
Should Tony’s story leave you wanting your own slice of motoring history, you can view the full auction listing at Dennington Auctions here. Bidding opens on 22 November and closes on 1 December-2024. Get in quick, as if you miss out, you could be referencing another Yellow Pages ad… Not happy, Jan.
With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.
