Dolo (automobile)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Defunct | 1948 |
| Headquarters | Pierrefitte , France |
| Products | Automobiles (Dolo JB-10, Dolo JB-20) |
The Dolo was a French car presented during the years 1947 and 1948.
Background
Manufactured by Brun, Dolo & Galtier (BDG) in Pierrefitte, the company founders were novices in the automotive sector. The vehicle stood out as a contemporary and cost-effective option when compared to established brands. Its prototype made its first appearance at the 1947 Salon de Paris, subsequently showcased at the Paris Motor Show in October 1947, and later displayed at the Geneva and Brussels Spring Motor Shows in 1948.
The first car
The Dolo JB-10 was a forward-looking front-wheel-drive model designed as a two-seater, notable for its Plexiglas/Perspex dome canopy covering the cabin. It was equipped with a 592 cc air-cooled boxer engine delivering 23 hp, coupled with a four-speed manual transmission featuring synchromesh on the upper two gears. Although exhibited multiple times, the hood remained closed, leaving uncertainty about whether the demonstrated vehicles had operational engines.
There is debate over whether the JB-10 represented a legitimate commercial project or an elaborate stunt. Reports suggest that it received some orders accompanied by deposits during its exhibition circuit, with plans to produce approximately 200 units before the company was dissolved by judicial authorities in 1948.
The second car
In addition to the JB-10, BDG revealed plans for a larger model called the Dolo JB-20. This vehicle maintained the distinctive Perspex dome design but expanded seating capacity to four. It was intended to be powered by an air-cooled 1,184 cc eight-cylinder boxer engine generating 44 hp—essentially combining two of the smaller car’s four-cylinder engines.