# Blitzkarren

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{{Infobox automobile
| name = Blitzkarren
| image = 
| caption = 
| manufacturer = Bremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH, [Bremen](/source/Bremen), Germany
| aka = 
| production =  Bremer Kühlerfabrik Borgward & Co. GmbH, [Bremen](/source/Bremen), Germany
| model_years = 1924–1927
| assembly =
| designer = [Carl F. W. Borgward](/source/Carl_F._W._Borgward)
| class =
| body_style = open three-wheel cart
| layout = [MR layout](/source/MR_layout)
| platform =
| related = 
| engine = 1.6&nbsp;kW 1R [two-stroke engine](/source/two-stroke_engine)
| transmission = none
| propulsion = [V-belt](/source/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&nbsp;t
| predecessor = none
| successor = [Goliath Rapid](/source/Goliath_Rapid) and Goliath Standard
| sp = DE
}}
The '''Blitzkarren''' (German {{Translation|lightning cart}}) was a cab-less [tricycle](/source/tricycle) freight cart based on a [motorcycle](/source/motorcycle). It was produced in 1924 as the first complete production vehicle manufactured by the ''Bremer Kühlerfabrik [Borgward](/source/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](/source/Bremen-Hemelingen), a settlement in [Hemelingen](/source/Bremen-Hemelingen), [Bremen](/source/Bremen), [Germany](/source/Germany) previously produced radiators and fenders for [Hansa-Lloyd](/source/Hansa_(company)). Between 1929 and 1931 Hansa-Lloyd was acquired by [Carl Borgward](/source/Carl_F._W._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](/source/Stuttgarter_Nachrichten)|language=de|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> Borgward also renamed his radiator manufacturing company to ''[Goliath-Werke Borgward & Co. GmbH](/source/Goliath_(company))''.<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](/source/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](/source/Great_Depression_in_the_United_States) 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](/source/Driver's_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](/source/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](/source/Open-wheel_car).

Blitzkarren had neither [clutch](/source/Coupling) nor [starter](/source/Starter_(engine)). The [two-stroke](/source/Two-stroke_engine) motorcycle engine, under the flatbed, was coupled over a [V-belt](/source/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](/source/Stuttgarter_Zeitung)|language=de|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> which was not difficult from the driver seat in the rear of a 250&nbsp;kg payload vehicle on a flat road. The single front wheel was mounted in a [motorcycle fork](/source/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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Blitzkarren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitzkarren) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitzkarren?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.
