Brief History of the Marque: Dollar
Omnium Métallurgique et Industriel, 34 rue A.Lançon
PARIS (13°)
Most Dollar machines were 125 to 350cc singles powered by JAP
among others (1), but pride of the 1933 fleet was a 750cc unit powered
by a
Chaise V four, an engine which was later
used in aircraft and which influenced the designs of several other builders
in both France (notably the Majestic) and Italy.
An example of one of these rare and splendid machines is pictured below.
The origins of the Dollar marque date back to 1850: Foucher and Delachanal
mechanical engineers. In 1890 the business began construction of
cycles under the brand "Omnium Spencer", and shortly thereafter
began building Dollar cycles, capitalising on the fashionable obsession
of the time with all things American. The first machines were powered by
Moser 123cc engines and were presented at the October 1923 Paris Salon.
By 1926 the range consisted of 12 models including a triporteur, all with
Moser engines. In 1927 the first Chaise-equipped machine appeared - this
engine caused quite a sensation, having overhead camshafts and hemi-spherical
combustion chambers.
More information at Wikipedia
France
Quite extensive model information is available at JLB-Créations
1) Wikipedia France gives MAP as an engine provider, but
there is (Jan 09) no reference to such a manufacturer.
Fri Mar 06 2009
pjehanno
aol.com
dollar motorcycle
dollar not sure 250 or the G 3
I have a picture of my grand father on a dollar motorcycle, but not
sure
wich one it is ? and love to by the one on the picture .
new york USA
Thu Jan 22 2009
b.geutskens
hccnet.nl
Motorbike Dollar 1927
Dollar ESS 6 ?
I can buy a motorbike which looks like a Dollar, but has a Zürcher
engine. Frame number 2644C engine SMAC B4 277 Zurcher. Year 1927.Has Dollar
used Zurcher engines? Does the combination look original? Thank you, regards
Ben Geutskens, Holland
Norg, Netherlands
Sat Feb 16 2008
ray
mcar62.myzen.co.uk
Dollar motorcycle
Dollar P2 250cc
The model I own and use is a 250cc O.H.V. Chaise engined machine.
Year of manufacture 1929.
Northumberland U.K.
Wed Dec 21 2005
j.brakke
hetnet.nl
Dollar Chaise 1927-1932 ???
I have a Dollar 350 cc.
Plaese i want moor information,can you help me? I live in Holland.
Gr Jan,
Mon Aug 29 2005
johnqian
gotadsl.co.uk
dollar motorcycle (french)
I have one in complete and untouched condition. It has the chaise engine.
No picture at the moment. Interested persons may contact me.
If you have a query about Dollar motorcycles, or wish to share information
about these classic French machines, please contact
us!