Goggomobil Dart

The Goggomobil Dart was a microcar which was developed in Australia by Sydney company Buckle Motors Pty Ltd.[5] and produced from 1959 to 1961.

Goggomobil Dart
Overview
ManufacturerBuckle Motors Pty Ltd.[1]
Production1959[2]–September 1961[2]
AssemblySydney, New South Wales, Australia[1]
DesignerBill Buckle
Body and chassis
ClassMicrocar
Body styleNo door roadster
LayoutRR layout
PlatformGoggomobil
RelatedGoggomobil
Powertrain
EngineTwo-stroke straight-twin engine
Standard: 400 cc engine and 300 cc  cc, 14.8 PS (10.9 kW)
Optional: 392 cc, 18.5 PS (13.6 kW)[3]
Transmission4-speed manual[3]
Dimensions
Wheelbase1,800 mm (71 in)[3]
Length3,050 mm (120 in)[1]
Width1,370 mm (54 in)[1]
Kerb weight380 kg (840 lb)[1][4]

The Dart was based on the chassis and mechanical components of the German Goggomobil microcar, which was a product of Hans Glas GmbH of Dingolfing, in Bavaria, Germany.[6] The car featured an Australian-designed fibreglass two-seater open sports car body without doors, the whole package weighing in at only 345 kg (761 lb).[2] It was powered by a rear-mounted twin-cylinder two-stroke motor available in both 300 cc and 400 cc variants,[4] and had a small luggage compartment built into the nose.[2] The Dart was designed in 1958 and went on sale the following year,[2] with around 700 examples produced up to the time that production ceased in September 1961.[7]

Production specifics

The Dart came standard with Goggomobil’s 293cc parallel twin (producing 15 hp and 20 ft.lb.), but their 392cc unit (20 hp/24 ft.lb.) soon became available as an option. Top speed was approximately 60 mph (96 km/h) for the 293cc cars, and about 65 mph (104 km/h) for those equipped with the 392cc engine. There may only by 50 of them left currently. Dimensions were 3.0m long and 1.3m wide [8]

The Goggomobil Dart is mentioned in the 1990s Yellow Pages ad in which Tommy Dysart says the famous line "G, O, G, G, O... No! No! Not the dart!"

Dysart would play off the fame of this role in future ads for Shannons, in which he plays a character who is especially interested in finding the best car insurance for his treasured Goggomobil Dart.

A documentary which was released on 8 September 2019 titled D'art is about an artist who paints paper planes (paper darts) on the Goggomobil Dart as the canvas. The movie was received with positive reviews.[9] In 2020 D'art was selected for the 'Melbourne Documentary Film Festival'

  • Goggomobil Dart rear
    Goggomobil Dart rear
  • Interior
    Interior

See also

References
  1. "The Bruce Weiner Motorcar Museum - 1958 Goggomobil Dart". Microcarmuseum.com. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  2. The Dart turns 50 Retrieved from www.shannons.com.au on 22 February 2010
  3. GLAS Automobil Club International e.V. - Vehicles - Goggomobil Coupé Archived July 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (the Dart was based on the Goggomobil coupé.
  4. Glas Goggomobile Dart Retrieved from www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au on 22 February 2010
  5. "Company Profile". Bill Buckle Volkswagen. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2007.
  6. Tony Davis, Aussie Cars, 1987, page 75
  7. Mike McCarthy, Great Australian sports cars and specials, 1987, page 61
  8. "Forgotten Cars of Australia: The Goggomobil Dart". www.carsales.com.au. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  9. "D'art" – via www.imdb.com.
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