The Irish-Built Goggomobil Coupe – Tiny Car Answer to 1956 Suez Crisis | Season 6 – Episode 63
Wheels Jul 21, 2026
Major political events can have an influence on the cars we choose to drive. Today, the conflict involving the United States and Iran and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have renewed concerns over oil supplies and fuel prices. Seventy years ago, the 1956 Suez Crisis had a remarkably similar effect.
When Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal, Britain, France and Israel launched a military intervention. Although initially successful, international pressure from the United States and the Soviet Union forced the three nations to withdraw. The resulting disruption to oil supplies drove up fuel prices and changed the way motorists in Ireland and Britain bought cars.
MOTORISTS RESPOND
While buyers in 2026 can consider electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles, motorists in 1956 had just one practical option, buy a smaller, more fuel-efficient petrol car. In Ireland, that made the tiny Irish-built Goggomobil an attractive choice.
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HANS GLAS
Hans Glas GmbH, the company behind the Goggomobil, was founded in Dingolfing, Bavaria, in 1883 as a manufacturer of agricultural machinery. After expanding into motor scooter production in 1951, the company turned its attention to small, economical cars. With demand for affordable transport booming across post-war Europe, Glas launched the Goggomobil in 1955.
The first concept had been a single-door microcar in the style of the Isetta or Heinkel. However, motorcycle racer and Glas dealer Schorsch Meier convinced the company that a conventional two-door layout would have much broader appeal. The production model, the Goggomobil T250, featured a rear-mounted 242 cc air-cooled two-cylinder two-stroke engine producing 13 horsepower.
Although small in size, the Goggomobil incorporated engineering features usually found on much larger cars. It employed monocoque construction, rack-and-pinion steering and fully independent suspension, while its 10-inch wheels made it nimble, economical and easy to manoeuvre.
The motoring press responded positively. Autocar described the T300 as lively and enjoyable to drive, while in Germany the Goggomobil earned the affectionate nickname Arbeiter Porsche or “Poor Man’s Porsche” because of its entertaining handling.
IRISH ASSEMBLY
Like several Irish vehicle assemblers of the period, Motor Distributors Ltd. explored the growing demand for economical microcars by importing and assembling vehicles from overseas kits. Between 1958 and 1959, the company produced a limited number of Goggomobil T300 models at its Naas Road premises in Dublin. While the German manufacturer offered the Goggomobil with a variety of engine options, the Irish-assembled cars were all built as T300s, powered by a 293cc two-cylinder engine. Mated to a four-speed gearbox, they were claimed to achieve more than 60 miles per gallon and came fitted with a heater as standard. With a purchase price of £369, the Irish-built Goggomobil T300 provided motorists with an economical, practical and surprisingly well-equipped answer to rising motoring costs.
END OF ASSEMBLY
The original saloon was soon joined by additional variants, including a stylish two-door coupé introduced in 1957. This model could be specified with an innovative Getrag-built four-speed electric pre-selector gearbox, allowing the driver to choose the next gear in advance before engaging it with the clutch pedal. However, despite the Goggomobil’s clever design and impressive economy, demand never reached the levels MDL had anticipated. As a result, vehicle assembly came to an end after 1959. Responsibility for sales then passed to Norton’s of North Strand, Dublin, which promoted the latest TS 400 Coupé. Advertisements highlighted features including an electromagnetic pre-selector gearbox, hydraulic brakes, a heater and demister, four-wheel independent suspension and luxurious two-tone foam rubber upholstery.
There is no clear record of how long Norton’s remained the Irish distributor or how many additional Goggomobils it sold. Registration figures, however, suggest the car remained a niche choice, with 51 new registrations in 1957, falling to 19 in 1958 and just 11 in 1959.
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Sources of Information, Photo, Video & Music Credits:
All music and sound effects used in Ireland Made – Stories of Irish Transport are royalty free and fully licensed through Epidemic Sound. Ireland Made – Stories of Irish Transport therefore holds the legal right to use this audio material within its productions under the terms of the Epidemic Sound licensing agreement.
BBC FOUR
Getty Images
GLAS Automobilclub e.V./Archiv Uwe Gusen
Goggomobil: How a Small Car Conquered the German Market – Space of Car History
Hagerty Website
Motor Assembly in Ireland – Bob Montgomery
Richard Dredge
Werbe-Klassiker | Goggo Mobil (50er Jahre) – RetroFieber
