I have decided to “spice” up the Borgward Owners’ Bulletin Board with a number of testimonial letters sent by Borgward Owners in the 1950s and 1960s. The Eastern Borgward Distributor, Fergus Imported Cars, in New York (in the West the Distributor was Earle C. Anthony in Los Angeles) published a 30 page booklet called “Borgward Owners Always Write!” which included unsolicited letters from Borgward Owners. I will try to post excerpts from a letter about every week or so. At least for those who look at the Board on a regular basis there will something to read. I will not include the full names of the individual owners, but I will indicate where they lived. Think of these as 50 year old "Blogs from the Past."
Ron Engle
Minnetrista, MN
BORGWARD TESTIMONIAL #1 from “Borgward Owners Always Write!”
July 5, 1960
“I want to compliment you on a fine automobile in my early 1959 Borgward Station Wagon. Since fixing the electrical trouble (from the poor installation of radio) the car has been running like a top- not a rattle and about 28,000 miles.
Recently, my wife and I decided to enter the car in an economy run sponsored by Standard Oil of Ohio and the local Porsche Club in conjunction with an Industrial Fair in Talmadge, Ohio. We had the car tuned up by an excellent mechanic – Joy – Tri-City Sports Cars in Massillin – where the car is regularly serviced. After this minor tune-up, removal of air cleaner and 50 lbs. of air in tires, we drove this 127 mile course.
We were required to finish course in four hours plus or minus 15 minutes. They filled our tanks with Boron (Standard’s ethyl gas) and sealed the tank. Our class was the 0-1500 CC, and weight of the car was not a factor in this year’s event. In other words, we were competing against Fiats, Sputes, DB, etc. Needless to say, we did not win our class, but we did get a very respectable 39.429 miles to the gallon. We were 7 minutes late at the end, and there were check points to make sure that cars stayed on route. . . .next year engine-weight ratio will be used. Also, there will be a much longer course. At any rate, we enjoyed the good fellowship, free gas, and beautiful Sunday afternoon drive.
Thought you would like to use this in your advertising some way. Yes, I bought this car because of economy, quality, and sports car handling qualities. I have indeed gotten my money’s worth, and except for minor electrical trouble would like to compliment you on fine product. My overall driving since April has been 25 miles to a gallon, and I do not baby a car on the highways.”
Yours very truly,
James E. G---------
North Canton 20, Ohio
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