Blitzkarren

The Blitzkarren (German transl. lightning cart) was a cab-less tricycle freight cart based on a motorcycle. It was produced in 1924 as the first complete production vehicle manufactured by the Bremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH.[1] The company, located in Sebaldsbrück, a settlement in Hemelingen, Bremen, Germany previously produced radiators and fenders for Hansa-Lloyd. Between 1929 and 1931 Hansa-Lloyd was acquired by Carl Borgward and his co-investor Wilhelm Tecklenborg.[2][3] Borgward also renamed his radiator manufacturing company to Goliath-Werke Borgward & Co. GmbH.[4]

Blitzkarren
Overview
ManufacturerBremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH, Bremen, Germany
ProductionBremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH, Bremen, Germany
Model years1924–1927
DesignerCarl F. W. Borgward
Body and chassis
Body styleopen three-wheel cart
LayoutMR layout
Powertrain
Engine1.6 kW 1R two-stroke engine
Transmissionnone
PropulsionV-belt
Dimensions
Curb weightMaximum Load: 0.25 t
Chronology
Predecessornone
SuccessorGoliath Rapid and Goliath Standard

In 1924, responding to a designer complaining about the material transport for radiator production between the workshops by handcart, Borgward constructed this light truck.[5] In difficult economic times before the Great Depression Borgward discovered a gap in the market. There was a great demand from traders and small business owners for affordable motorized freight carts,[6] that were legal to drive without a license.[7] A Blitzkarren cost 980 Reichsmark.[8] In 1929, a quarter of the licensed commercial vehicles were made in Bremen.[9] Carl Borgward had patented the Blitzkarren division. The patents were granted on June 20, 1925 in Germany, and on March 11, 1926 in England.[10] Previously there had been similar tricycles used as passenger transporters, usually single-seater.

Blitzkarren had neither clutch nor starter. The two-stroke motorcycle engine, under the flatbed, was coupled over a V-belt on the left rear wheel and was pushed to start, and choked to stop,[11] which was not difficult from the driver seat in the rear of a 250 kg payload vehicle on a flat road. The single front wheel was mounted in a motorcycle fork, which was controlled from the rear.

References
  1. Jahnel, Claus. "Zu gut für diese Welt". Telepolis (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  2. WELT (2008-01-17). "Automobile: Spektakuläre Pleite, die keine war". Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  3. Germany, Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Stuttgart. "125. Geburtstag von Carl Friedrich Borgward: Ein Visionär und Tausendsassa". stuttgarter-nachrichten.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  4. Irene Meichsner: Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Borgward – Blitzkarren, Isabella und Leukoplastbomber, Deutschlandfunk – „Kalenderblatt“ vom 10.
  5. "60 Jahre deutsche Wirtschaftsgeschichte: Borgward – Blitzkarren und Leukoplastbomber". www.handelsblatt.com (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  6. ONLINE, RP. "Borgward und die Isabella". RP ONLINE (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  7. "Carl F. W. Borgward: Der Wegweiser des modernen Autos feiert 125. Geburtstag". Presseportal. Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  8. Germany. "Borgward - Vom Blitzkarren zur Arabella". SPIEGEL ONLINE (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  9. Meyer, Tobias. "Erinnerungen an einen Autopionier". WESER-KURIER (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
  10. , "Improvements in motor tricycle box carriers", issued 1925-07-17
  11. Germany, Stuttgarter Zeitung, Stuttgart. "Autobau: Über das Unternehmen Borgward". stuttgarter-zeitung.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-26.
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