Weird ONES - It's a testament to human ingenuity that even in the realm of automobiles, there are hidden gems waiting to be unearthed. One such fascinating discovery from the annals of automotive history is the Dolo, a peculiar creation from the 1940s that hails from the lesser-known French automaker BDG.
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| The Dolo as seen as the JB-10 model was one of two peculiar creations from the 1947 that hails from the lesser-known French automaker BDG (stand for Brun-Dolo-Galtier). (Picture from: UltimateCarPage) |
The journey to uncovering the
Dolo begins with a serendipitous encounter while traversing the vast expanses of the internet. Amidst the plethora of information, a uniquely shaped car caught our attention, reminiscent of other avant-garde vehicles like the
1942 L'Oeuf Electrique and the
1948 Gatso 4000 Aero Coupe.
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| The second model of the Dolo JB-20 featured with four seats and an eight-cylinder 1,184 cc engine. (Picture from: Auta5p.eu) |
Delving deeper into the origins of this eccentric automobile led us to Pierrefite, France, where BDG (stand for Brun-Dolo-Galtier), a name largely unfamiliar to many, unveiled two prototypes of the Dolo in 1947. What set the Dolo apart, even in a landscape populated by wonderfully weird vehicles, was its striking resemblance to a sea lion with a dome-like structure atop its frame.
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| The Dolo JB-10 (B&W photo colorized) featured with two seats and a four-cylinder 591 cc engine. (Picture from: MrScharroo in Flickr) |
The
Dolo came in two variants: the
compact JB-10 with
a modest two-seater configuration powered by a four-cylinder 591 cc engine, and its larger counterpart, the
JB-20,
a four-seater boasting an eight-cylinder 1,184 cc engine. Interestingly, the origin of these engines remains a mystery, leaving enthusiasts to speculate whether they were bespoke creations or sourced from established French manufacturers.
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| The Dolo as seen as the 1947 JB-10 model featured with a striking resemblance to a sea lion with a dome-like structure atop its frame. (Picture from: QuirkyRides) |
Both iterations of the
Dolo featured
front-wheel drive and sported
body shells crafted from lightweight alloy, adorned with
a distinctive plexiglass dome that contributed to its outlandish charm. While records suggest only a handful of
JB-10 prototypes were ever assembled, and one of them has sold for
€27,416 at an auction event of the
2018 Artcurial Automobiles d'Exception a Retromobile. While, the
JB-20 likely saw only a single production model, adding to its elusive allure.
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The Dolo JB-10 (B&W photo colorized) featured with two seats and a four-cylinder 591 cc engine.. (Picture from: MrScharroo in Flickr)
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However, the story of the
Dolo takes a somber turn as reports from
Quirky Rides indicate that despite garnering
200 orders for the JB-10 variant, the project met an untimely demise due to financial constraints. This left prospective clients who had made advance payments in a state of dismay, highlighting the ephemeral nature of automotive innovations in an unforgiving industry.
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| The unique-shaped Dolo JB-10 car model as depicted by Belgian cartoonist Hergé in the world-famous comic book series, Adventures of Tintin. (Picture from: MrScharroo in Flickr) |
In essence, the
Dolo stands as a testament to the audacity of automotive experimentation, showcasing the fine line between innovation and obscurity. Its brief yet captivating existence serves as a reminder that within the realm of forgotten automakers lie stories waiting to be told, each unveiling a unique chapter in the evolution of vehicular design.
As we reflect on the enigmatic legacy of the
Dolo, it beckons us to explore further, igniting a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the countless unsung heroes that have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of automotive history.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOPUZZLES | ULTIMATECARPAGE | MRSCHARROO IN FLICKR | QUIRKYRIDES ]
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