01.10.10
Microcar Moment: Smart Car vs. Goggomobil
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Shep supports self on 2-tone T-700 Goggomobil
We floo back in time to revisit Jean Shepherd’s WOR radio broadcasts on the Goggomobil, one of the earliest line of microcars of which the present day Smart Car is a descendant.
The wikipedia entry about Shep lists some of his favorite modes of transport: “At the time of the WOR radio show, Shepherd rode a Vespa motor scooter and parked it in the lobby of the WOR building, while at other periods during his WOR years, he drove a Morgan, a Rover, a Goggomobil*, a motorcycle, and a variety of other vehicles.” The picture above is from an advert in a 1959 issue of the literary magazine, Evergreen Review. Audio of his Goggomania phase will be available here, soon. Meanwhile take a look at how one 1957 model leaves the Smart Car in the dust.
More Goggomobils, in a family way.
* According to Shep’s audio commentary, his car was a TS-400 coupe. The model featured in the magazine advert was a T-700 coupe.
Update: Audio of Shep’s May 1959 Goggo pitches have been added to the caption above.
Further Update 10/01/11: Daimler’s Smart Car Sputters in Size-Obsessed U.S.
