Goliath Rapid

The Goliath Rapid is a lorry made by Bremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH in Sebaldsbrück (a neighborhood in Hemelingen, a suburb of Bremen, Germany). The Rapid, which technically was an improved version of the Goliath Blitzkarren, was sold under the Goliath brand name. Bordward's radiator-producing company was later renamed to Goliath-Werke Borgward & Co. GmbH.

Goliath Rapid / Goliath Standard
Overview
ManufacturerBremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH, Bremen, Germany
ProductionGoliath Company, Bremen, Germany
Model years1925 or 1926-1933
DesignerCarl F. W. Borgward
Body and chassis
Body styleopen three-wheel cart
LayoutKardan MR layout
Powertrain
Enginetwo-stroke engine
(4–9 PS)
Transmission3 speed
Dimensions
Wheelbase~ 79 in (2,000 mm)[1]
Chronology
PredecessorGoliath Blitzkarren
SuccessorGoliath F400 and F200

The Rapid consists of two parts: A "cart"-like front with two steerable wheels, and a "motorcycle" rear part with a single wheel. Between cart a motorcycle, it has an orthogonal wall and a steering wheel, to control the front wheels. A windshield was offered as a factory option. The Rapid has an electric starter, a clutch, and a 3-speed gearbox with a single reverse gear. Electric lamps including a stoplight were offered as a factory option that cost RM 170; an electric horn was offered for RM 30. The maximum permissible payload is 250 kg. The Rapid is powered by an ILO-Motorenwerke-made 198 cc, single cylinder, two-stroke-engine that produces 4 PS. In 1928, a new model with an increased payload of up to 300 kg and a 250 cc, 5.5 PS engine was put into production. In 1931, the payload was increased to 500 kg. A version with a framed flatbed was offered for RM 1100; a closed freight box version was available as well, for RM 1200. Odometer or a passenger seat also offered from the factory. Carl Borgward had filed a patent on "single rear wheel drive technology". The patent was granted on 8 August 1928.[2]

Goliath Standard

In addition to the Rapid, a 500 kg freight version called Goliath Standard was put into production. It has a 350 cc single cylinder, two-stroke gasoline engine made by ILO-Motorenwerke with a rated power of 7.5 PS. Its flatbed version cost RM 1295, the "closed freight-box" version was offered for RM 1440. The Standard's top speed is 40 km/h (25 mph).[3]

In 1931, a 750 kg freight version with a 400 cc two cylinder engine rated 9 PS cc was introduced. In 1931, prices rose to RM 1600 resp. RM 1750.

In 1933, the Standard production was ceased – the successors Goliath F200 and F400 were put into production in autumn of 1933.[4][5][6]

Competitors
  • Oscar Vidal & Sohn Tempo Pony, T1 and T2, built from 1928 to 1930, a very similar vehicle
  • Deutsche Industriewerke AG L 7, 1927–1930
  • Later in 1932–1934, BMW produced a similar freight cart an sold it as BMW F 76 and F 79 with bigger engine. It included a passenger seat.
  • Rollfix record, also late for the market
  • In late 1940s til 1952 Innocenti produced the Lambretta models FA, FB and FC
  • Tatra 49, 1929–1930

References
  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20190607162952/https://www.automobilia-ladenburg.de/image/pool/2/mx/913.jpg
  2. https://patents.google.com/patent/DE496683C/en Patent DE496683C: „Drive device for the rear drive wheel of a three-wheeled motor vehicle“, Google Patents
  3. "Typ". www.borgward.org. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  4. "Typenblatt-Rapid-Standard". www.goliath-veteranen-club.de. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  5. "Das Ende des Bremer Wirtschaftswunders". Kreiszeitung Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG (in German). Syke. 2013-07-27. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  6. Flieger, Heinz (1959). Der Weg zur Isabella: eine Geschichte der Borgward-Gruppe (in German). Verlag für Deutsche Wirtschaftsbiographien. p. 58.
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