During the past few years, microcars--vehicles less than 10 feet long with engines of 600cc capacity or less--have gained tremendous popularity among collectors, and rightfully so. Not only do they provide the wow factor so many enthusiasts enjoy, but they are also fun to drive and easy to own, not requiring lots of storage space or mega-Dollars for upkeep.
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The dwarfish Jagdwagen (German for "hunting car") presented here is the only one of its kind you'll ever see. It's a sensational find, indeed!
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Amazingly, this somewhat ungainly but cute automobile was not built by a Teutonic shade tree mechanic in a Bavarian backyard; instead, it's a factory-assembled prototype.
You see, in 1966, the GLAS factory, builder of the famous Goggomobil micro, was purchased by Munich's BMW. A couple of years later, Goggo production ended, and the complete stock of remaining spares was transported via railcar to the Lloyd factory in Bremen. The men from Lloyd, formerly part of the ill-fated Borgward empire, already in charge of Borgward, Lloyd, Hansa, and Goliath spares, became official suppliers of all Goggomobil spare parts.
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Although BMW never officially affixed their tags to the Goggomobil, all cars built after 1966, this one included, were titled as BMWs.
Let's now have a closer look at this highly unusual microcar, shall we?
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Hand-built by Lloyd factory workers on a N.O.S. Goggomobil pan and utilizing Goggo mechanicals, the Jagdwagen's ptototype body is not made of flimsy fiberglass; instead, it was formed from heavy-duty German Krupp steel, then bolted to the chassis.
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We were tempted to modify the Jagdwagen, paint it with camouflage colors perhaps, or add a bikini top and finish it Coral Red to transform it into a Fiat-Jolly-like beach car. We even toyed with the idea to replace its body with a Goggo Dart shell; since the undercarriage is so nice, one would be able to create a fantastic example.
In the end, we decided to leave it "as built," since it is a unique creation, hailing from a simpler, kinder time. The original orange paint is old and a bit dull; the right front fender once was amateurishly repaired, but the bodywork is free of corrosion. This little car certainly has big potential, and it'd be super easy to work on.
Let's check out the interior now.
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Dash and windshield were lifted straight from a Goggomobil sedan, black wrinkle finish and all. There is the Goggo's speedometer and an array of switches and control lights; an open glove compartment and thermometer are luxurious touches. With the help of our friend, Goggo-Guru Bernhard Bergmann, we were able to figure out how everything works.
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Close-ups of speedo, switchgear, and Ferrari-like, gated shifter for the 4-speed transmission.
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Cockpit looks pleasingly simple. Rubber mats grace painted steel floors. Instead of doors, there are quick-release chains; inertia-reel seat belts keep the occupants safe. Plenty of space here, even for very tall pilots and passengers.
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Original Goggomobil bucket seats feature red naugahyde upholstery with cream piping.
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Common area out back. Put up a tent or an armchair here, or turn it into a playground for the dogs.
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Easily accessible underneath the black carpeting: the rear-mounted engine.
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Standard Goggomobil 2-stroke power plant of 246cc develops 13.6 horses (yes, you need the extra .6hp!) and is good for a top speed of 50mph. The BMW-Lloyd is the ideal around-town commuter vehicle!
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Ready for a test drive?
So are we, but before we leave, let's take a good look at the car's undercarriage.
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Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the most pristine Goggomobil undercarriage we've ever seen. The usual underoating is thankfully absent; instead, there's just the thin coat of factory-applied, shiny black paint. Miraculously, there's no rust or damage anywhere. Our guess is that the folks at the Lloyd factory used the little car exclusively on the premises. It certainly has never seen winter use or salted roadways. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view |
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A few detail shots of the flawless undercarriage.
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Monday, April 17, turned out to another beautiful spring day here in paradise. With temperatures in the mid-70s, we decided on a nice trip from old Mission town Ventura to Lake Casitas, then on to New Age enclave Ojai. After a healthy lunch, we went up the hill to Santa Paula and coasted back along the orange groves parallel to the 126 Freeway to Ventura.
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Every place we went, the Jagdwagen was received enthusiastically! Its little 2-stroke motor starts instantly and runs strong, with the typical blue smoke cloud emanating fom its exhaust. Using modern lubrication, the mixture can be adjusted from 1:25 to 1:40 and smoke can be virtually eliminated, though. Brakes and transmission work perfectly, too, as do all the lights.
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Driving the Jagdwagen is a very relaxing affair. Due to its topless design and low build, you're very close to nature, so to speak. Call it the German version of the Mini Moke, perhaps.
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Returning home, we are very happy with the BMW's flawless performance.
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An inspiration for attempts to keep the 2-stroke car alive through the 1970s, possibly even influencing the design of the ingenious, but short-lived AWS Shopper, the BMW-Lloyd Jagdwagen is a unique cross-collectible appealing to microcar enthusiasts, BMW collectors, and plain fun-loving people (like us) who refuse to grow up. Being the only one ever made, it certainly is a superb--and utterly useable--conversation piece.
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Addendum:
We sold this unique Jagdwagen in Summer of 2011 to a collector in Florida.
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