(R Middleton)
Ross Middleton observes of his wonderful Phillip Island shot- ‘these guys would turn up to every Phillip Island meeting and lift the Goggomobil Dart out of the Holden Ute and have a great day competing in the Regularity events’…
I imagine a good many Australians looking at these cars think immediately of the Yellow Pages or Shannons Insurance series of advertisements featuring the booming, unique, gravelly but melodic voice of Scotland born Australian actor Tommy Dysart.
For another group of us into theatre and live shows Tommy was the narrator in ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ like no other before or since. A magic night at the old Regent Theatre/HSV-7 Tele-Studio in Johnston Street, Collingwood, Melbourne circa 1976 seems like yesterday!
One of the Shannons Goggos competing somewhere! (SMH)
Ace historian/researcher Stephen Dalton has unearthed a Goggo 293 shared by the two ‘Wallace Stable’ drivers W Wilson and A Smestad at the March 1960 Phillip Island meeting, there the car carried numbers 44 and 45- not 64 as here but Stephen and I would not mind betting that it is the same two fellows, event date unknown.
The Dart was developed by Bill Buckle (Buckle Motors Pty Ltd) and sold from 1959 to 1961.
It used the mechanicals- chassis, engine, gearbox, suspension and brakes of the Glas Auto company, Goggomobil Microcar topped with an Australian designed fibreglass sportscar body- 700’ish were made.
Power was provided by 300 and 400cc, 15 and 20 bhp twin-cylinder two-stroke motors- even with a weight of 345 kg it would have been a long trip along the Islands front chute!
The truckload of Goggomobils below is parked at the Punchbowl, Sydney factory of Bill Buckle Motors in 1959-1961. The load of cars- five Darts and one sedan is about to travel south to the Finlay Brothers dealership in Melbourne.
(Buckle Family)
Credits…
Ross Middleton, Hulton-Deutsch, Finlay Brothers, Buckle Family
Tailpiece…
(Hulton-Deutsch)
Actress and novelist Jackie Collins adds a bit of leopard skin colour to the Goggomobil T300 (now I know where Lola got the model number) at the Earls Court London Motor Show, October 1956.
Finito…
primotipo... 
a photo of a Dart in action
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=goggomobil+not+the+dart&tbm=isch&source=hp&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi_jp6OsOXhAhVGWysKHQnOC18QsAR6BAgIEAE&biw=1920&bih=939#imgrc=-5uDQxusLZpP7M:&spf=1555993843797
The Yellow Pages Dart ad
These days it would be easier to put “Goggomobil” into Google Mobile
Great ads aren’t they Terry?
Always make me laugh- and he is a mighty fine actor. Have just updated the article- Stephen has worked out who the drivers probably are. Its a 293cc Goggo too- a very long journey down the Islands main straight!
Mark
Mark, your chance to own your very own Goggomobil Dart, yes the Dart.
Ten photos
Only minor work required. NO rust in the body!
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Goggomobil-Dart-1959/SSE-AD-5946410/?Cr=0
Haha Terry,
Not a car on my target list I have to say! Quirky, yes, but otherwise of no interest!
I do love that photograph, it is intriguing to know if the car and fellows who raced it are still about.
Mark