Description
The Glas Goggomobil TL 400 Kleintransporter was the largest and most powerful version of the Goggomobil light commercial range, produced by Hans Glas GmbH in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Designed as a practical delivery van and pickup for tradesmen and small businesses, it represented the peak of Glas’s attempt to adapt its successful Goggomobil microcars into working vehicles. The TL (Transporter Lieferwagen) line came in several versions—250, 300, and 400—with the TL 400 offering the best performance and carrying capacity.
In appearance, the TL 400 had the same friendly, compact look as the rest of the range. Its forward-control design placed the cab directly over the front wheels, giving it a stubby, almost toy-like charm. The cab itself was simple, with two doors and a large glasshouse for good visibility. Behind it, the vehicle could be configured either as a closed panel van for secure deliveries or as an open flatbed or pickup for hauling bulkier loads. Its boxy, straightforward design made it highly functional, while its small size made it exceptionally easy to maneuver through the narrow streets and tight alleys of European towns.
Inside, the TL 400 was stripped to the essentials. Seating was provided for two, and the dashboard featured only the most basic instruments: a speedometer, a fuel gauge, and a few switches. Comfort was not a priority, but practicality was. The compact cabin maximized space for cargo while still providing adequate room for short journeys around town.
The “400” designation referred to its engine size: a 392 cc two-cylinder, two-stroke engine producing around 20 horsepower. This was a significant step up from the smaller TL 250’s 245 cc engine, and it made the TL 400 much more usable for business owners who needed to carry heavier loads. Paired with a four-speed manual gearbox, the engine gave the TL 400 a top speed of roughly 65–70 km/h (40–43 mph), making it better suited to mixed urban and suburban driving. Payload capacity was around 400 kg, more than enough for groceries, parcels, or light construction tools.
On the road, the TL 400 remained modest in performance, but its lightweight fiberglass body and compact chassis gave it agility that larger delivery vans could not match. It was particularly well-suited to businesses that operated in crowded city centers, where maneuverability and efficiency mattered more than speed. Fuel consumption was low, further enhancing its appeal to cost-conscious small business owners.
Production numbers for the TL 400 were never large, as Glas was a relatively small manufacturer and the demand for micro-vans was limited. Most examples were used intensively in daily service and scrapped once worn out, meaning that very few have survived into the present day.
Today, the Glas Goggomobil TL 400 Kleintransporter is a rare and highly collectible piece of microcar history. It represents a time when European manufacturers were experimenting with compact, efficient solutions to postwar economic needs. Collectors prize the TL 400 for its rarity, charm, and the unique niche it occupied as a true working microvan. Restored examples are often seen at classic microcar gatherings, where their unusual proportions and endearing character continue to fascinate enthusiasts.