Descrizione
For sale is my 1958 Goggomobil Coupe. These are really rare and are seldom available for sale. This one is especially rare since it has a number of features that are highly sought after.
Firstly, it’s a coupe …. these are far and away the most popular. Being an early car it also has “suicide doors” which were not available on later cars. Engines came as 250, 300 and 400cc … mine has the preferred 400cc engine.
And perhaps what makes it most desireable is it’s gearbox. Goggomobil offered two types of gearbox on their cars, both manual. One was conventionally operated via a normal gear shift. But the other …. the electro/ mechanical pre-select gearbox …. is much rarer and is a particularly desireable feature. That’s what this car has!
A ‘pre-select’ gearbox is exactly that; the driver chooses the desired gear in advance of when it’s needed …. it’s pre-selected. And while that is not too uncommon on some classic cars, what makes the Goggo version different is that the gear selections are made via electro/ mechanical solenoids. (more about that later!)
My car is an ex- South Africa car so it came to me, although in a dismantled state, with a pretty much rust free body. I have restored the car over the last two years using only genuine `Goggomobil parts. (receipts available) It’s by no means perfect but I’d give it 8 out 10 …. at least.
It’s had a full professional respray in a period pastel green with the traditional white roof. Perhaps the only deviation from standard is its 4 new radial tyres and the windscreen wipers..
SUSPENSION: top and bottom shock absorber bushes have been replaced and with longer lasting ‘nylock’ bushes.
STEERING: steering arms, track rod ends, rack and pinion and rubber boots have been replaced.
BRAKES: brake drums, brake shoes, wheel cylinders and flexible hoses have been replaced.
TRANSMISSION: both drive shaft universal joints have been replaced.
In addition there’s a new fuel tank and fuel tap, front, rear and door window seals, engine mounts, dynastart brushes, battery, choke, clutch and heater control cables, engine cowl and numerous other parts including plugs, condenser and H. T leads, wiper blades, hub caps, door seals, and the heat exchanger.
On the down side, there are two very small cuts in the rear seat squab; the driver’s door window is still stiff to raise and lower, (the new window guide seal is still bedding in) the carpets are not original Goggo parts, I’ve found it impossible to fit the front and rear rubber window seal aluminium strips. (these are merely decorative and play no part in creating a seal.) Perhaps a new owner will be more skilled than me!
The V5c document is in my name. I also have a workshop manual.
If you’re interested in knowing how the electro/ mechanical gearbox works then, read on. But if you don’t want to be bored, skip the next couple of paragraphs.
In a conventional gearbox, the gear stick connects onto selector rods inside the box. Moving the gearstick moves the chosen selector rod to shift gear. In the pre-select gearbox, electrical solenoids connect to the selector rods. Energising a solenoid causes the selector to move thereby engaging the gear.
How does a solenoid work? I don’t know …. I think it’s by Magic!
Like all electrical devices of a car the solenoid need two things; a supply of power (usually +) and a route back to earth (-).
When the clutch pedal is pressed power is sent to all three solenoids at the same time. But, of course none of them can operate until there’s a route back to earth.
That’s where the wee pre-select switch on the dash comes into play. Whichever one is selected 1, 2 3, or 4 will determine which solenoid circuit has been earthed and so that’s the only solenoid that’ll be energised. So only that gear that will be selected!
Simple eh?
Since completing the restoration I’ve only driven it around the block a few times. It’s terrible! It bounces all over the place (well, perhaps not quite!) and is noisier than I expected it to be. I find the pre-select gearbox difficult to operate and I’ve not yet been able to find reverse (.… although reverse engaged easily when I had the gearbox on the bench!)
So, although it’s extremely rare and looks really cute, as a daily or even occasional driver, it’s not my cup of tea!
If I’m being honest, like most microcars, it’s probably more suited to being added to a collection and perhaps taken to shows rather being used for occasional drives.
This is the fifth Microcar I’ve restored in recent years. Unfortunately, I have neither the space (nor the money) to be able to keep each one when I’ve finished it. So I always choose to sell it on, get my money back then move on to the next project.
If you need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact me.
