A mysterious Goliath

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Some events require racing cars, some other concours cars but an event like the Festival of Slowth requires an odd and slow car. So when the possibility occurred to buy a rusty, well-used 1934 Goliath Pionier, we didn't have to think twice and bought it instantly.

Goliath Pionier?

Now it is at home in the garage of our editor and we don’t know what to think of this period special. We were told it was used on a farm before it came into the hands of various collectors, which is quite credible. After the war, they used whatever they had to make things work. By now, it was in the hands of private collectors and, although it still runs, the car cannot be used in a reliable and safe way. The metal is rusted but most parts are still strong (except for one crossbar), however the wooden floorboards are very rotten and the mechanics also need some TLC.

We stripped the trike a bit to remove the rotten woodwork and to find out more about the car. The front and chassis do seem to be of a Goliath Pionier, based on info that can be found online. The gearbox seems to fit as it was original in the chassis and there is 'Hurth' cast on it. The rear suspension is definitely not Goliath as it is wider uses coil springs instead of leaf springs. The engine is fitted on the rear, similar to the Goliath but is not a German engine but a Model K Briggs & Stratton (built between 1933 and 1940).

The question is, what to think about the car? Is it a Goliath or something completely different and, if so, what is it?

What do we intend to do? Find out what it is, make sure it is reliable and useable but leave it much as it is. We will bring the car this weekend to Vintage Revival Montlhéry (at the PreWarCar.com stand) if you would like to see it.

Words by Laurens Klein.

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