Goliath 1100 (1957)Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Goliath 1100 Sedan

1957 — Germany

Post-War (1946-1959)SedanEconomy / CompactGermanUnder $50k ClassicsAffordable CollectiblesBarn Find Candidates
Engine1,093 cc Inline-4 2-stroke
Power55 hp
Torque72 lb-ft
Transmission4-speed manual
DrivetrainFWD
Body StyleSedan
Weight2,094 lbs
0–60 mph20.5 sec
Top Speed81 mph
Production36,000 units
BrakesDrum / Drum
SuspensionIndependent, coil springs / Independent, coil springs

Goliath 1100 Sedan

Goliath, part of Carl Borgward's automotive empire, produced the handsome 1100 sedan with bodywork designed by renowned Italian coachbuilder Pietro Frua. The car featured modern styling with wraparound windscreen and elegant proportions that belied its economy car status. Powered by a two-stroke four-cylinder engine requiring oil-fuel mixture, it offered decent performance and front-wheel drive traction. The 1100 represented Goliath's final attempt to establish itself in the compact car market before the entire Borgward group collapsed in 1961, making these cars rare survivors today.

$8,000 – $22,000

Very rare today with few surviving examples. Two-stroke engine requires specialized knowledge and parts are nearly impossible to find. Rust is inevitable in surviving cars. Italian coachbuilt body parts are unobtainable. Only for dedicated collectors of obscure German marques.

Approximately 36,000 units produced from 1957-1961. Production ended when the Borgward Group collapsed. The Pietro Frua styling was considered exceptionally attractive for an economy car. The Goliath brand disappeared entirely after 1961.