{{Infobox automobile | name = Blitzkarren | image = | caption = | manufacturer = Bremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH, Bremen, Germany | aka = | production = Bremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH, Bremen, Germany | model_years = 1924–1927 | assembly = | designer = Carl F. W. Borgward | class = | body_style = open three-wheel cart | layout = MR layout | platform = | related = | engine = 1.6 kW 1R two-stroke engine | transmission = none | propulsion = V-belt | wheelbase = {{convert|NNN|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} | length = {{convert|NNN|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} | width = {{convert|NNN|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} | height = {{convert|NNN|in|mm|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} | weight = {{convert|NNN|-|NNNN|lb|kg|0|abbr=on|order=flip}} Maximum Load: 0.25 t | predecessor = none | successor = Goliath Rapid and Goliath Standard | sp = DE }} The '''Blitzkarren''' (German {{Translation|lightning cart}}) was a cab-less tricycle freight cart based on a motorcycle. It was produced in 1924 as the first complete production vehicle manufactured by the ''Bremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Zu-gut-fuer-diese-Welt-3443845.html|title=Zu gut für diese Welt|last=Jahnel|first=Claus|website=Telepolis|language=de|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> The company, located in Sebaldsbrück, a settlement in Hemelingen, Bremen, Germany previously produced radiators and fenders for Hansa-Lloyd. Between 1929 and 1931 Hansa-Lloyd was acquired by Carl Borgward and his co-investor Wilhelm Tecklenborg.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article1561850/Spektakulaere-Pleite-die-keine-war.html|title=Automobile: Spektakuläre Pleite, die keine war|last=WELT|date=2008-01-17|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.125-geburtstag-von-carl-friedrich-borgward-ein-visionaer-und-tausendsassa.1c540fc0-bacc-4784-ac51-57bbd5409fd0.html|title=125. Geburtstag von Carl Friedrich Borgward: Ein Visionär und Tausendsassa|work=Stuttgarter Nachrichten|language=de|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> Borgward also renamed his radiator manufacturing company to ''Goliath-Werke Borgward & Co. GmbH''.<ref>Irene Meichsner: [http://www.deutschlandfunk.de/carl-friedrich-wilhelm-borgward-blitzkarren-isabella-und.871.de.html?dram:article_id=336344 ''Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Borgward – Blitzkarren, Isabella und Leukoplastbomber''], Deutschlandfunk – ''„Kalenderblatt“'' vom 10.</ref>
In 1924, responding to a designer complaining about the material transport for radiator production between the workshops by handcart, Borgward constructed this light truck.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/archiv/60-jahre-deutsche-wirtschaftsgeschichte-borgward-blitzkarren-und-leukoplastbomber/2840654.html|title=60 Jahre deutsche Wirtschaftsgeschichte: Borgward – Blitzkarren und Leukoplastbomber|website=www.handelsblatt.com|language=de|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> In difficult economic times before the Great Depression Borgward discovered a gap in the market. There was a great demand from traders and small business owners for affordable motorized freight carts,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rp-online.de/leben/auto/carl-friedrich-wilhelm-borgward_aid-22173183|title=Borgward und die Isabella|website=RP ONLINE|date=22 January 2011 |language=de|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> that were legal to drive without a license.<ref name="presseportal">{{cite web|url=https://www.presseportal.de/pm/115998/3170748|title=Carl F. W. Borgward: Der Wegweiser des modernen Autos feiert 125. Geburtstag|website=Presseportal|accessdate=2019-06-26}}</ref> A Blitzkarren cost 980 Reichsmark.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/borgward-vom-blitz-kar-ren-zur-ara-bel-la-fotostrecke-143947.html|title=Borgward - Vom Blitzkarren zur Arabella|last=Germany|website=SPIEGEL ONLINE|language=de|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> In 1929, a quarter of the licensed commercial vehicles were made in Bremen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.weser-kurier.de/bremen_artikel,-Erinnerungen-an-einen-Autopionier-_arid,624282.html|title=Erinnerungen an einen Autopionier|last=Meyer|first=Tobias|website=WESER-KURIER|date=28 July 2013 |language=de|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> Carl Borgward had patented the Blitzkarren division. The patents were granted on June 20, 1925 in Germany, and on March 11, 1926 in England.<ref>{{Cite patent|title=Improvements in motor tricycle box carriers|pubdate=1926-03-11|country=GB|number=248625|inventor1-last=Bogward|inventor1-first=Karl}}</ref> Previously there had been similar tricycles used as passenger transporters, usually single-seater.
Blitzkarren had neither clutch nor starter. The two-stroke motorcycle engine, under the flatbed, was coupled over a V-belt on the left rear wheel and was pushed to start, and choked to stop,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.autobau-traeume-vom-auto-phoenix-aus-der-asche-page2.200ed0f2-9b40-494c-adf5-2731c453e2ab.html|title=Autobau: Über das Unternehmen Borgward|work=Stuttgarter Zeitung|language=de|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> which was not difficult from the driver seat in the rear of a 250 kg payload vehicle on a flat road. The single front wheel was mounted in a motorcycle fork, which was controlled from the rear.
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * (German) [http://www.goliath-veteranen-club.de/Typologie/Typenblatt-1924-Blitzkarren.htm Datasheet of the Blitzkarren at the Goliath-Veteranes-Club]
Category:Three-wheeled motor vehicles Category:Vehicles introduced in 1924 Category:Goliath vehicles Category:Borgward vehicles