1944 - The B&B Brogan Doodlebug: A Unique 3-Wheeler Designed for Women
After World War II, Europe’s microcar craze reached the US, inspiring Ohio’s B&B Specialty Company to create the Brogan Doodlebug, a remarkable three-wheeler designed by Frank Brogan.
Frank Brogan’s initial project was a beer dispenser, but he shifted gears to automotive design. His goal was to craft a unique and practical vehicle for the post-war era.
The Brogan Doodlebug was an evolved form of a motorcycle. A two-seater convertible, it had an impressive array of features despite its petite size. Measuring just 96 inches in length and having a 66-inch wheelbase, this little machine could make a complete U-turn within its own length. The car came without doors or a roof, adding an adventurous flair to its design.
An evolution of the motorcycle
The Brogan Doodlebug, an evolution of the motorcycle, featured a two-seat convertible design. Despite its small size (96 inches long and a 66-inch wheelbase), it could execute a full U-turn within its own length, offering a touch of adventure with its doorless, roofless design.
Buyers could opt for a rear-mounted single-cylinder Briggs & Stratton engine or a twin-cylinder Onan air-cooled engine. These engines allowed the Doodlebug to reach a top speed of 45 to 50 mph and achieve exceptional fuel efficiency, covering nearly 70 miles on a single gallon of gas.
What set the B&B Brogan Doodlebug apart was its adaptable design, offering engine choices and a user-friendly operation. Its maintenance was straightforward, with easy access to the front tire and engine, making it accessible to even those with minimal automotive knowledge.
Frank Brogan envisioned women as the primary users and designed the car accordingly. It featured a mercury-actuated system, eliminating the need for a clutch pedal, and prioritized ease of maintenance.
Brogan pivoted, using the Doodlebug's chassis
Despite its innovations and appeal, the Doodlebug faced challenges leading to its discontinuation. Brogan realized he was losing money on each sale and needed a substantial investment to make production cost-effective.
Rather than giving up, Brogan pivoted, using the Doodlebug’s chassis for other projects like the Errand Boy, a three-wheeled delivery scooter, and the Brogan Truck, a four-wheeled pickup and delivery van.
Brogan’s ability to adapt and persist in the face of challenges showcased his determination to realize his automotive dreams, even if the original vision didn’t go as planned.
Source: www.bygonely.com/
1984- A Visionary Inception: The Birth of ‘Ellert’
The Mini-el’s Unique Design and Purpose
At that time, El-Trans A/S had 50 employees, and private investors had contributed 90 million Danish kroner to the project. While Ellert assembly took place in Randers, most of its components were supplied by various Danish subcontractors.
The Mini-el was priced at 27,450 DKK, but it wasn’t just a car; it was a unique vehicle designed for short-distance transportation. Registered as a 3-wheeled motorcycle, it could be driven with both car and motorcycle licenses. The philosophy behind the Ellert was based on the fact that the average Dane had an 11 km commute to work, with over 80% living within 15 km of their workplace. Furthermore, 92% of car commuters drove alone, and 50% of public transport users had access to a household car.
Challenges and Solutions: Navigating the Early Years
In late 1987, the Ellert faced its first challenges when one of these vehicles caught fire shortly after purchase. This incident prompted a recall of all Ellerts (approximately 150 units) to address a faulty relay issue. The dealer network gradually expanded from Randers to cover all of Jutland, then Fyn, and by late summer 1988, Ellerts were available on Sjælland as well, although some had already been “smuggled” there. The factory imposed strict sales control due to the Mini-el’s limited range of 40-70 km and the need for ongoing vehicle construction modifications.
Surviving Adversity: A New Beginning
In February 1988, an Ellert owner in Esbjerg experienced an incident where the vehicle “exploded,” as reported in the newspapers. In reality, the Ellert’s main fuse had melted one of the battery vent hoses, causing the remaining hydrogen gas in the hoses to ignite with a minor explosion. This incident caused no harm to the Ellert itself, apart from the loss of wheel caps and the need to replace the batteries. All Ellerts (now 500 units) were recalled again for service to address the vent hose issue.
On October 18, 1988, SID filed for bankruptcy on behalf of the employees at El-Trans A/S due to strained liquidity and more demanding sales efforts than anticipated. A constant stream of complaints from Ellert owners had driven up production costs, and another major challenge was the slow sales in the capital region. Shortly after, El-trans 1 I/S was formed and acquired the rights to manufacture the Ellert. Led by Aage Uth, this company worked to quickly resume Ellert production. While it appeared that foreign buyers might take over the factory, companies like M.A.N, B&W Diesel, and Sparekassen Kronjylland ensured that El-Trans 89 was formed on May 27, 1989. Surprisingly, Steen V. Jensen withdrew completely from the Ellert project.
Evolving for Success: The Mini-el City and International Expansion
One of the priorities for the new company was to enhance the electronics and wiring to prevent issues experienced in the first version. The new version of the Ellert was named the “Mini-el City” and featured a different motor control system. A larger motor was also installed, enabling the City version to reach speeds of around 50 km/h with improved acceleration. Since both versions had nearly identical exteriors, they were indistinguishable on the streets. International sales, especially in Germany and Switzerland, began during this period, along with exports to England.
A Legacy Endures: The Ellert in the Modern Era
The company faced a challenging start as it continued to address issues with the first version and struggled to gain buyer trust. In 1991, a new company called CityCom A/S was formed, producing a series of convertible Ellerts used as camera cars at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Production of the Ellert ceased and is no longer carried out by CityCom. Today, the vehicle is no longer in production. However, there remains a dedicated community of enthusiasts who treat the Ellert as a hobby, dedicating their time to building and repairing these increasingly vintage vehicles. Various groups, for instance on platforms like Facebook, actively discuss and assist each other in keeping the few remaining vehicles operational and on the road.
The information provided here is intended for current and future Ellert owners or anyone interested in the history and legacy of the Ellert. As of January 1, 2002, there were 328 registered Ellerts in Denmark, a remarkable tally given that the car hasn’t been produced domestically for over a decade. The majority of these vehicles are from the early production years, specifically 1987 and 1988. Although Ellerts are no longer produced in Germany, there have been no recent imports of the model into Denmark. Nevertheless, a number of Ellerts originally made in Denmark have found their way to Germany, influenced by the higher market prices there.
The name of the man is Steen Volmer Jensen and he is an engineer
Building a Unique Car: A Passion Project from more than 36 Years Ago
Twenty years ago, he built his own car because, as he says, he has always been interested in everything which has four wheels and a steering wheel.
From Hobbyist to Industry Professional: Steen’s Background
But he doesn’t like to be called a handyman, which works with his ideas in his basement. He is much more an industrial worker, too professional and market-oriented. He has a past in the British car manufacturing industry, but in the near past, he has been working as a research and development chef at the Dronningborg Maskinfabrik in Randers.
Steen Volmer Jensen (Born April 17, 1942, in Frederiksberg, Denmark – Died December 31, 2010)
Inspiration Strikes: A Documentary and a New Transport Concept
Steen Volmer Jensen got the idea on a Friday afternoon almost 40 years ago when he got home from a busy day at work. He watched some television and, by coincidence, watched a documentary program about transport economics after the oil crisis. “It was the usual program where people from the left political wing meet the right wing, and there was much discussion, but one thing they could agree about was that we couldn’t expand public transport to a point where it could replace the private. Not in this century.
Designing the Ideal Local Transportation Solution
Thinking the idea through, this started his brain, says Steen V. Jensen. I turned the TV off by 21:30. When I went to bed at 2:30, I had the idea for what I call a new transport concept. I would make a car that could be used for local traffic, only so I could just do the job. Nothing less, and surely nothing more. This should be a tiny and simple thing that everybody could afford as car nr. 2.
The Electric Revelation: Embracing Efficiency
That it was going to be an electric car was planned much later. As an old car manufacturer, I probably had a dislike for electric engines, but soon it was clear that I only needed very few horsepower. That meant I only needed a battery or two. I didn’t like the normal idea that an electric car needed 12 or 14 batteries…
Creating a Simple, Affordable, and Practical Vehicle
The Ellert – U-36
In the early 1980s, Dronningborg Maskinfabrik was also involved in the early stages of the development of the battery-powered car, known as the Ellert. The factory’s head of development, Steen V. Jensen, had drafted a basic outline, and together with the Danish Energy Agency, they invested 1.6 million Danish kroner in the development of a prototype, the U-36. However, in 1984, the factory withdrew from the project as they had no plans to engage in actual production.