The alternative to the Jeep?
07/17/2025
It was in the 1950s when the Bundeswehr was looking for an all-terrain vehicle to replace the motorcycles with sidecars that had been widely used during the Second World War. The German vehicle manufacturers were therefore asked to make suggestions.
Borgward was happy to respond to this request and suggested the Goliath Jagdwagen Type 31. This was a normally front-wheel drive vehicle with a water-cooled two-cylinder two-stroke engine and direct injection. The rear-wheel drive could be engaged.
The engine produced around 40 hp at 4000 rpm, which was supposed to take the approximately 3.5-meter-long off-road vehicle to 95 km/h. The climbing ability was promised to be 60% and the payload 500 kg.
Apparently, the prototypes were not convincing and even got stuck in the test area. However, the vehicle was improved and a total of 95 units were produced for more detailed evaluation.
Large-scale series production never took place, however, and today the Type 31 is practically forgotten. Or does anyone still have one in their barn or garage?
