Bill Buckle of Sydney, Australia, was a distributor of the German Goggomobil in the late 1950s. In an effort to get away from the punishing import taxes imposed by Australia, he found it cheaper to import the chassis and then build his own fiberglass body. Buckle designed an open sports car--the Goggomobil Dart Roadster. Formed as upper and lower tubs, the body is a step-in without doors. A convertible top left a very small opening to enter by, therefore a small door was offered on later models. The only instrument on the dash is a speedometer. The amount of fuel is gauged by a translucent gas tank. A rear-hinged hardtop and 400cc motor were later available. With the arrival of the Mini Cooper to the sports car market, Goggomobil sales dropped. The company produced a total of 5,000 cars over its span of business before closing in 1962.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Buckle Motors Pty Ltd.
Country of Origin: Australia
Drivetrain Configuration: Rear engine, rear wheel drive
Engine: 239cc, 2-stroke, air cooled, 2 cylinders, 15hp
Transmission: 4 speed forward, constant mesh gearbox
Top Speed: 63miles per hour
Years of Production: 1958-62
Number Produced: 700
Original Cost: 685 Australian Pounds
A Note About the Display of Our Collection
Thank you for viewing our collection online! Please note that our collection contains over 330 cars and motorcycles though we only have room to display approximately 150 at a time. Therefore, the item you are viewing may not be on display when you visit the museum in person.
