The Yellow Pages advertisement of the 1990s was one of the more memorable campaigns which celebrated the Goggomobil, a classic microcar popular through the 1950s and 1960s in Australia.

Two couples who passed through Batemans Bay recently are celebrating 60 years of the Goggomobil in Australia by driving from Perth to Sydney before the anniversary celebration in Gosford over the long weekend.

Cathy and Bob Billiards of the Blue Mountains and German nationals Bernhard and Sabine Bergmann have spent the past month on the road, traversing the Nullabor Plain, Great Ocean Road and NSW South Coast in their microcars, which weigh slightly more than the Wallabies’ front row – 350 kilograms.  

Mrs Billiards, who regularly drives her Goggo Dart she has owned for 30 years, said people who recognised the microcars during their trip had either owned a Goggomobil or could quote the ad, verbatim.

“Most people remember the advertisement for the Yellow Pages about 25 years ago,” she said.

The Australian couple invited the Bergmann family to join them on their 6200-kilometre journey. Unfortunately, the Bergmanns could not get their Goggo through customs in time, but the couple were blessed with good fortune. 

Australian Goggomobil manufacturer Bill Buckle, 92, said he would lend his Goggo Coupe to the visitors.

“We’re very proud [to drive Bill Buckle’s vehicle],” Mr Bergmann said.

“It was sitting for nine years at his house, it needed some work.”

The couples have travelled between 200 to 300 kilometres a day and topped out at 105km/h on various freeways. Compared to modern cars, Goggomobils were “noisy, rough and bumpy ride”, but had “comfortable driving positions”, Mrs Billiards said.

“Everyone drives their Goggos in Germany. We’re hoping we can encourage more Goggo owners to drive their cars [in Australia],” she said.

“We have no problems with other traffic, drivers look out for you.”

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