Borgward Drivers Club
Welcome To The United Kingdom Borgward Drivers Club
The club was founded in 1980 by Robert Richmond-Jones and there are now in excess of 100 members. The Club's aim is to promote enthusiasm for, and interest in, Borgward, Hansa, Lloyd and Goliath vehicles, which, despite their excellence, have had only sporadic coverage by the motoring press. The Club provides assistance with the acquisition, maintenance or restoration of as many vehicles as possible.
There is a Spares' Secretary, who can provide practically all of the parts off the shelf to keep Isabellas on the road. Other models are catered for as well and he has many contacts in other clubs across the world, to help in the acquisition of parts.
The Club endeavours to provide technical and practical help, from the accumulated knowledge and literature of its members, in overcoming any difficulties which any prospective Borgward owner or enthusiast is likely to encounter. In collaboration with other car clubs, we hope to fight legislation that may eventually ban old vehicles from the road.
A committee, elected from the most dedicated and enthusiastic members, runs the club. All work is done on a voluntary and unpaid basis, and involves many hours of hard work. It is in regular contact with similar dubs in Germany, The USA, Sweden, Denmark, South Africa, Austria and Belgium and is affiliated with the 'Borgward Interessengemeinschaft' of Essen, which has 700 members. During the summer months it holds frequent meetings of a social nature at venues such as the Bluebell railway, Duxford Air Museum and places of historic interest, as well as having a club stand at car orientated shows. It has also held Sprint type test days at racing circuits such as Castle Combe and Goodwood, as well as the occasional treasure hunt. Other gatherings, including the regular regional Pub get-togethers, provide opportunities for exchanging parts and experiences.
The official start to the season is the AGM, normally held in April, and the club has Regularly exhibited at the indoors Classic Car Show at the NEC in Birmingham and outdoor shows such as Enfield, Kettering, Sandwell and Yeovil etc. Every September, as many as seven Borgwards and many more Club members drive to the international meeting in Germany, hosted by the 'Borgward Interessengemeinschaft', where around 300 Borgwards, Hansas and Goliaths gather from all over the Continent.This too offers an opportunity to buy parts for our rarer vehicles.
Members are kept in touch with club activities through a regular NewsSheet, quarterly Newsletter and biennial Journal. A current yearly subscription of £15 means we make no profit.
A new member will receive with their membership card, the latest copy of the Newsletter and journal, a car sticker plus a list of current members. Some back numbers of the Journal are available at £2.50 per copy, additional stickers at 90p. Please phone or email the club secretary Norman Williams +44(0)121 429 7169 [email protected] for more information. Membership forms are on the forms page.
The Club can also provide photocopies of workshop manuals, owner's handbooks and various road tests, at cost and on request. We encourage overseas members as well and indeed have members from Australia, Eire, Africa, South Africa, USA,Argentina, Italy, Germany Austria, Belgium, Malta and Gibraltar.
Easily the mainstay of the Club, the most popular model is the Isabella and although the Saloon was at one time the most prevalent of the range the Coupe is now definitely seen in far greater numbers.
A noted rally driver Bill Blydenstein, raced Borgwards in the 1950's, achieving many successes in the class.