Did you know?
Bogliq USA developed an L6 engine in 1951!
Second of three Alpha Six prototypes
When the first generation Zealot was launched in 1946, the US market featured cars which had much larger powerplants. The Zealot was slow and sales were small enough that a whole new engine line wasn’t viable at this time. The powertrain chief engineers got together and jury-rigged half an alpha block onto the end of a complete alpha block, therefore developing Bogliq USA’s first inline six. The original jury rig survived long enough to prove the concept would work and the second prototype was made by cutting the ends off of two engines, forging them together, then forging the end caps back on. This engine (pictured above) turned out to be better than the sum of its parts; more reliable, smoother and just as fuel efficient as the Alpha Four.
However, the engine wouldn’t get end up in production as the Model two didn’t need the extra power and the profits from both the Zealot and Mutineer would be allocated towards developing an entirely new, modular, engine family that would spawn a plethora of Triples, Fours, Sixes and Eights. Bogliq USA wasn’t going to have an empty cupboard for the imminent power war looming on the horizon.
The Alpha Six did get used in a Bogliq product though. The third prototype was used in a Concept model, released in 1951, which showcased technologies which would be common a decade later. All the parts were prototypes and, in exchange for exclusive real-life development time, were revealed to the public via this hand-made car.
Vision: One, The Future is Now!!!
Front view
Rear view
The third Alpha Six prototype
Built as a technology showcase/testbed. Vision: One was used to develop or adapt a range of technologies for mass production road car use. These technologies are:
- Looking to mass produce Corrosion Resistant Steel bodies and chassis’s
- Pioneering new plastics for light fixture usage
- Attempting to civilise the racing automatic locking differentials
- Radial tyre development and fitments
- Introduction of Magnesium wheels
- Push the boundaries of interior luxury, including a Phonograph!!!
- Advanced safety features such as seat harnesses and padded surfaces
- development of progressive coil springs
- developing a reliable high performance carburettor (DCOE’s)
- Adapting race exhausts to road use
The Vision: One took full advantage of the Alpha Six’s reliability and provided many companies with valuable real time data before being retired after five years of constant road and racetrack testing.