DOLLAR - Lot 22

DOLLAR Motorcycle 500 type S536 Normandie 500 cc Chaise 4-stroke vertical single-cylinder engine 1939 Serial number : 500045 French registration This very rare motorcycle was entirely restored in 1990 by our collector and has been ridden very little. It will need to be restarted. The origins of the DOLLAR brand date back to 1850: Ets FOUCHER and DELACHANAL specialized in locksmithing and precision mechanics. In 1890, the company began building bicycles under the brand name "Omnium Spencer". The company changed its name several times: "L.DELACHANAL" in 1914, then "SAVARA" in 1922, under the management of Mr. MENEAU, former sales manager of CLEMENT-GLADIATOR. After the First World War, noting the strong demand for motor vehicles, the management of L.DELACHANAL decided to build motorcycles. At the same time as the "OMNIUM" bicycles were being built, the "DOLLAR" cycles were launched. A strange name for a French brand, justified by the popularity of "the Americas" at the time. To take the resemblance a step further, Dollar went so far as to adopt an Indian head as its symbol. In 1927, after Paris and Charenton, the factory moved to a new, larger site in Joinville-le-Pont and announced a number of new features. Initially, these consisted mainly in the adoption of saddle tanks and the abandonment of the old MOSER engines in favor of English "J.A.P." engines. In 1928, DOLLAR offered the new CHAISE tumbled engines, in 250, 350 and 500 cm3. More important was the evolution of the frame, with an upper section consisting of a die-cast beam (such architecture would not have been possible in the old premises, which were too cramped: such a design required machines of considerable volume), but above all a cardan shaft transmission, offered on models with CHAISE tumbled engine blocks. By the end of 1931, the range had been simplified, with the discontinuation of the old 2-stroke models, the 350s with side-valve JAP engines, and the 500 CHAISE with overhead camshafts. But the company was in debt. It was taken over by OMNIUM METALLURGIQUE et INDUSTRIEL, which had already absorbed CHAISE. OMNIUM METALLURGIQUE et INDUSTRIEL wasted no time in putting its excessively large and redundant DOLLAR range in order, and eliminating the top-of-the-range models from its catalog. It also bought the Majestic brand from its creator Georges ROY. With the declaration of war, the O.M.T. ceased production of the motorcycles that had been among the finest French productions. The model in the S536 sale features the new CHAISE engine with inclined cylinder, a cast-iron ARTIC cylinder head with pin-sprung valves and wide fins for improved cooling. Circulating oil lubrication, ferodo clutch in dry sump, 4-speed gearbox. The luxury and technology of this magnificent motorcycle meant that its price was much higher than the competition, and the bike became rare and uncommon. became uncommon and rare to find today. It's thought that only 4 or 5 were ever made.