1946 - Model 1 (Bogliq Zealot)
By 1945 it was clear that the USA was going to win the war. Indeed it was only a matter of cost, both human and financial, that seperated the world from a cessation of open hostilities. This looming crisis for Bogliq’s automotive production had to be tackled head on.
Konstantin put to the board that they had three options:
1: Sell the GPUV and GPDV, unchanged, to the civilian market. This wasn’t a serious option as nothing about these vehicles had been optimised for civilian life. But they had the tooling, the car would be cheap and costs to the company would be low.
2: Develop an entirely new vehicle with updated tech and try to survive the ensuing cash-flow crisis. Bogliq hadn’t profiteered from sales to the Army so their capital was less than it could have been. High risk with little chance of a high reward unless Bogliq cornered the market with their new product, which was itself unlikely.
3: Re-engineer the GPUV and GPDV to become much more civilian friendly. Tooling could be re-used, change could be implemented where most needed and the car would remain familiar to those who’d driven the “Army brats” during the war.
After a couple of weeks deliberation, a two thirds majority consensus was reached for option three with option two receiving the remainder of the votes.
So in January 1946, Bogliq USA revealed it’s first post-war car, the Model 1, known as the Bogliq Zealot.
1946 Bogliq Zealot Engage
Introductory level price leader, 2 door, 4 seats
Price when new: $621 Driveaway
Service costs: $28 per annum
Fuel economy: 14.3L/100Km
1946 Bogliq Zealot Entrance
Volume seller family spec, 4 doors, 5 seats
Price when new: $637 Driveaway
Service costs: $29 per annum
Fuel economy: 14.6L/100Km
1946 Bogliq Zealot Entice
Early attempt at a premium trim, 4 doors, 4 seats
Price when new: $650 Driveaway
Service costs: $42 per annum
Fuel economy: 14.6L/100Km
1946 Bogliq Zealot Haulage
Small, reliable farm utility, 2 doors, 2 seats
Price when new: $610 Driveaway
Service costs: $28 per annum
Fuel economy: 15L/100Km
1946 Bogliq Zealot Cargo
Light delivery version to replace worn out GPDV’s! 2 doors, 2 seats
Price when new: $612 Driveaway
Service costs: $28 per annum
Fuel economy: 14.8L/100Km
The early reception to the Zealot was not overly promising, with less than stellar sales in the cities. This was only marginally offset by decent sales in rural USA and to nostalgic WWII veterans.
Read a contemporary article on the Zealot HERE.
This would leave Bogliq in a tight space as profits from Zealot sales were good enough to invest in upgrades but not good enough to make wholesale changes. It seemed that CEO Konstantin Bogliq was going to have to think outside the box if he was going to secure Bogliq’s future in the US market.
