Glas Goggomobil TS250

ENGINE 298cc/2-cyl/OHV POWER 15bhp@5000rpm TORQUE 17.4lb ft@5500rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 53mph 0-60MPH 27.9sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 46-51mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed manual MoT March 2018 ODOMETER 66,053 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

Despite its tiny proportions this Goggomobil is engineered better than many full-size cars. The extremely light steering means that it’s possible to inadvertently change direction if you look away for a moment. And this is something you often do, because the floor-mounted gear shift gate – which is open, Ferrari-style – is rotated 90 degrees. As such, shifting from first to second and third to fourth involves a left to right movement. Counter-intuitive, but satisfyingly clean and mechanical. Oddly there is also a preselect gear shift using a small joystick-type control on the dashboard, although this wasn’t tested. The brake pedal feels soft, but with so little weight it stops the car well.

BODYWORK CHECK

The body was restored about eight years ago and remains in great shape. The two-tone paint is near-perfect, with only a couple of tiny chips in it and the brightwork is excellent. The smooth chrome trim is new, but the original badges and more complicated parts have polished up nicely. The wheels are tiny, the 10-inch tyres look recent and the hubcaps are in good condition. The big suicide doors are an unusual touch, and there is no boot or bonnet lid at the front.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

Surprisingly spacious. The high roof, low seats and large glass area make for an airy feel. Front leg room is very good as there is nothing in the front of the car. The turned metal dash is striking and loaded with detail – styled like a 1950s American car, it looks like a toy Chevrolet. The seat fabric is in great condition, with just a small run of stitching split between the vinyl and cloth on the driver’s seat back. Rubber floor coverings and Goggomobil branded mats are fitted but there are no seat belts and the spare wheel lives, under the dashboard.

UNDER THE BONNET

There’s not much to see in the rear engine compartment. The two-stroke, air-cooled motor is mounted into the floor of the neatly painted and carpeted bay. The little motor revs like a bike engine and starts on the button. The gravity-fed petrol system means that it’s important to turn off the fuel tap on the rear parcel shelf or the engine will flood while parked. It’s currently registered by the DVLA as having a 300cc engine, rather than the TS250’s smaller unit.

THE CCW VIEW

Weird, unique, characterful and enormous fun to drive. The uninitiated would probably think that this car is pointless, since it would take a brave person to drive this little coupé anywhere near its top speed or on a dual carriageway. But it’s an incredibly lovable car that’s guaranteed to make you smile, and has been restored to a very high standard.