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.
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.
1957 was a huge year for Bogliq USA. A new, modular, engine family was introduced (codenamed Beta) and a whole raft of new models were introduced. However there was still one link with the past; the Model 2.
The Model 2 was still selling strongly right up to 1956 but the drivetrain would feel outdated compared to the new models. This resulted in the Model 2 ditching its Alpha Four and receiving a Beta L6 instead. The line-up was also consolidated, with poor selling variants dropped, to focus on the mainstream product.
Trim levels were now available across body styles (Sedan and Coupe) and the front and rear fascia was “harmonised” to match the rest of the range…
A larger engine, performance carbs and a lower final drive transform this trim from zero to street racing hero!
Enthuse
Budget performance, standard trim
Price when new: $1,420
Service costs: $84 per annum
Fuel economy: 12.9L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 11.3 sec
Top speed: 162 Km/h
1957 Mutineer Empower
A small GT for the discerning, yet frugal, gentleman!
Empower
Top shelf GT, luxury trim
Price when new: $1,852
Service costs: $116 per annum
Fuel economy: 13.3L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 14.2 sec
Top speed: 163 Km/h
The refreshed Model 2 was expected to maintain sales momentum amongst budget buyers while conquesting sales from the small sports and quasi-luxury sectors of the market.
Spearhead of Bogliq USA’s expansion plans, the Model 3 was designed to shock the large car market the same way the Model 2 had shocked the budget market in 1951. There was risk involved, as there was a small recession happening, but Konstantin believed that, for the right car, Americans were in a buying mood. So the Model 3 was built to be just the car that fulfilled that brief.
Powered exclusively by bent eights and twelves, the Model 3 was intended to be aspirational as well as affordable and be a pleasure to drive on the new highway system that was being built. The Model 3 would also introduce the fastest car and the quickest car, to date, of any Bogliq product.
A full size V12 GT that will satisfy even the fussiest of buyers.
Empower
Top shelf GT, luxury trim
Price when new: $2,626
Service costs: $143 per annum
Fuel economy: 19.4L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 10.4 sec
Top speed: 204 Km/h
The Model 3 was priced well, equipped well and received positive reactions from all those lucky enough to see it. But it was up against Bogliq’s competitors by which the Model 3 would be judged, and the market was a harsh judge indeed…
Oh and what a son-of-a-gun the market was! The Maverick was liked but didn’t sell very well, mainly due to the recession and jitters over the new engine’s reliability.
The original Model 1 had been around for a long time. Ten years in fact! So it was high time that the model was replaced with something more modern and much fresher.
The Model 4 would also feature the same monocoque construction as the rest of the Bogliq range, which would aid fuel economy substantially, as well as save Bogliq money on materials. A small Beta Four would power the entire range and the focus would be on thrift and value for money.
1957 Zealot Engage, Entrance, Entice
The cute, stylish front end…
And the neat, perky rear end!
Engage
Entry level, basic trim
Price when new: $880
Service costs: $40 per annum
Fuel economy: 11.3L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 14.5 sec
Top speed: 129 Km/h
Entrance
Family spec, standard trim
Price when new: $977
Service costs: $62 per annum
Fuel economy: 11.5L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 15.2 sec
Top speed: 128 Km/h
Entice
Value added, premium trim
Price when new: $1,085
Service costs: $73 per annum
Fuel economy: 11.7L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 15.7 sec
Top speed: 128 Km/h
1957 Zealot Enthuse
Zippy little sportster w/ spiffy four spoke steel wheels!
Enthuse
Budget performance, standard trim
Price when new: $962
Service costs: $68 per annum
Fuel economy: 14.7L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 11.6 sec
Top speed: 139 Km/h
The Model 4 was meant to fix a chink in Bogliq’s armour. It was expected that the Model 4 would improve sales rates of budget cars over the Model 1, while protecting against new models from competitors.
Bogliq USA was aware that they’d potentially alienated a substantial number of customers by dropping their delivery and utility variants. So, as part of the expansion of Bogliq at this time, the Model 5 and Model 6 were introduced.
The Model 5 was a large van, powered by the Alpha Four, designed to haul lots of stuff with a minimum of fuss.
The Model 6 was an off-roader, purpose designed for the task, powered by a large capacity Beta Four.
Specialised models to fulfil specialised roles in the Bogliq lineup. Maybe not so great now but there are vital markets for a broad spectrum car company, like Bogliq, to have market share in…
The Model 4 was in many ways a flawed execution of the Bogliq promise. The Mk II version sought to improve on the Mk I in all the areas that mattered to the target audience. The Engage and Entrance trims were geared towards affordability and driveability with superior fuel economy, the Entice was re-jigged to be more prestigious and the Enthuse was re-tuned to take back the small sports sedan crown from Caliban.
1961 Zealot Engage & Entrance
The facelifted Mk II front fascia
Engage
Entry level, basic trim, 5 seats
44Kw Inline four
Price when new: $970
Service costs: $42 per annum
Fuel economy: 10.9L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 14.2 sec
Top speed: 134 Km/h
Entrance
Family spec, standard trim, 5 seats
44Kw Inline four
Price when new: $1,055
Service costs: $66 per annum
Fuel economy: 11.1L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 15.1 sec
Top speed: 133 Km/h
1961 Zealot Entice
Premium metallic paint and Magnesium wheels included in price!
Entice
Value added, premium trim, 4 seats
44Kw Inline four
Price when new: $1,150
Service costs: $78 per annum
Fuel economy: 11.2L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 15.1 sec
Top speed: 133 Km/h
1961 Zealot Enthuse
The red-headed stepchild of the Zealot range!
Enthuse
High performance, premium trim, 4 seats
74Kw Inline four
Price when new: $1,430
Service costs: $100 per annum
Fuel economy: 15.7L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 9.6 sec
Top speed: 154 Km/h
The Mk II was successful in improving key metrics over the Mk I unfortunately the only area they couldn’t improve was the price; model for model, the price had risen over the Mk I.
It was anticipated that the Mk II would do better than the Mk I in the competitive small car sector but substantial conquest sales were unlikely as the competition had definitely done their homework.
The new Model 7 had big shoes to fill. The Model 2 was a very popular car with the Mk I selling top of it’s class and the Mk II continued the Mk I’s popularity with the general public. The Model 7 also debuted a new, high reliability, evolution of the Beta engine architecture. The Gamma architecture dropped the problematic alloy heads for cast iron while retaining the higher performance of the direct valve actuation, overhead cam design.
All the Model 7 had to achieve was massive popularity with the general public. That isn’t too much to ask, is it?
Mutineer Engage & Entrance
Available in sedan or coupe for the same price
50’s chrome giving way to 60’s focus on power
Engage
Entry level, basic trim, 5 seats
57Kw V6
Price when new: $1,285
Service costs: $57 per annum
Fuel economy: 12L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 13.9 sec
Top speed: 152 Km/h
Entrance
Family spec, standard trim, 5 seats
57Kw V6
Price when new: $1,385
Service costs: $82 per annum
Fuel economy: 12.2L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 14.2 sec
Top speed: 152 Km/h
1961 Mutineer Entice
Mid spec trim made to look more prestigious than previous years
Entice
Value added, premium trim, 5 seats
64Kw V6
Price when new: $1,540
Service costs: $95 per annum
Fuel economy: 12.7L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 13.4 sec
Top speed: 155 Km/h
Mutineer Enthuse
Street racer with number plates attached!
Enthuse
High performance, premium trim, 4 seats
100Kw V6
Price when new: $1,905
Service costs: $134 per annum
Fuel economy: 17.2L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 8.5 sec
Top speed: 185 Km/h
1961 Mutineer Empower
GT performance for the everyman
Empower
Top shelf GT, Luxury trim, 4 seats
100Kw V6
Price when new: $2,240
Service costs: $156 per annum
Fuel economy: 17.8L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 9.2 sec
Top speed: 183 Km/h
It was expected that the new Mutineer would cement Bogliq as No. 1 in the family car sector of the market while also poaching conquest sales from the sport and GT categories.
The Model 3 was a mixed bag for Bogliq. Sure, it had good performance and sold OK but it was overshadowed, visually and in sales, by the Model 2. Therefore, when the Model 8 was being designed, the brief was to make everyone aware that the Maverick was more than a scaled up Mutineer. In this respect the design was successful; very successful indeed!
1961 Maverick Engage, Entrance, Entice & Empower
Front end subtly emphasises the cars bulk
Rear end takes inspiration from the first generation jetfighters
Engage
Entry level, basic trim, 5 seats
126Kw V8, Auto Gearbox
Price when new: $2,095
Service costs: $111 per annum
Fuel economy: 22.7L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 11.7 sec
Top speed: 182 Km/h
Entrance
Family spec, standard trim, 5 seats
126Kw V8, Auto Gearbox
Price when new: $2,200
Service costs: $135 per annum
Fuel economy: 22.9L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 12.1 sec
Top speed: 182 Km/h
Entice
Value added, premium trim, 5 seats
126Kw V8, Auto Gearbox
Price when new: $2,330
Service costs: $147 per annum
Fuel economy: 23.1L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 12.3 sec
Top speed: 182 Km/h
Empower
Top shelf GT, Luxury trim, 4 seats
170Kw V8, Auto Gearbox
Price when new: $2,805
Service costs: $180 per annum
Fuel economy: 25.1L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 10.1 sec
Top speed: 200 Km/h
1961 Maverick Enthuse
Luxury convertible for cashed up narcissists!
Enthuse
Luxurious convertible, Luxury trim, 4 seats
170Kw V8, Auto Gearbox
Price when new: $2,885
Service costs: $180 per annum
Fuel economy: 27.3L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 11.8 sec
Top speed: 199 Km/h
The Model 8 Maverick was expected to take its rightful place as Bogliq’s flagship model. Sales should be strong enough for the car to not be rare, but still rare enough to be considered as an aspirational goal for owners of cheaper Bogliq models to look forward to being able to afford “one day”.
If it looks like a van and feels like a van then it is a van. And that’s definitely true of the Cargostar and Squadstar. But a five-seat version of the latter, which would have swapped the third row for more storage space, could very easily have been as popular as its stablemates.
The Model 6 got serious with its mission of being an epic off-roader in its Mk II refresh. The Mutineers V6 was installed and the interior improved to make the Model 6 worth the general public’s time in taking it for a test drive. The Model 6 also was the go to vehicle in the Bogliq range if you needed to tow a heavy load, with both variants boasting over one tonne towing capacity!
Otherwise, the Model 6 was still a hardcore offroad adventure machine and it’s design reflected that fact; no-nonsense, no-frills, no worries!
It’s been ten years since Vision: One and so Bogliq again reached out to their suppliers for interesting concepts that they were developing for eventual implementation in road cars…
Vision: Two showcases new frontiers in aerodynamics and design!
Prototype materials
Corrosion resistant steels for the chassis and body panels
Wheels made from a strong, but light aluminium alloy
As with Vision: One, Vision: Two was showcased at the 1961 Detroit Motor Show, then spent the next five years working with the contributing industries to turn their prototypes into viable automotive production technologies.
Responding to the lack of a home-grown high performance GT, Bogliq USA set about designing their own.
Powered by a high performance four litre V8, the Nihilist packed an iron punch in a velvet glove, cosseting the lucky driver in leather and wood, with the delightful aroma’s to match.
The Nihilist was meant to be the halo product of Bogliq USA. Posters were made of the car to be given to children for their bedroom wall, diecast models were commissioned and sent out to both owners of the Nihilist and people of wealth. The car featured in TV shows and movies wherever Bogliq’s marketing men could get them inserted. The Nihilist was the GT that Bogliq wanted every young man to dream of and every young woman to dream of being swept away in…
1961 Nihilist Empower From the long sweeping bonnet…
To the taut rear end, the Nihilist was a design masterpiece!
Empower
High performance luxury GT, Luxury trim, 2 seats
173Kw V8, Manual Gearbox
Price when new: $2,885
Service costs: $204 per annum
Fuel economy: 22.7L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 6.8 sec
Top speed: 201 Km/h
Magazine advert (and also wall poster)
Newspaper advert (also available as a wall poster)
Despite its age, the Model 4 was still a popular choice in the light car segment. However, the competition was producing models with similar performance but improved fuel economy. The Mk III was aimed at improving both the affordability and fuel economy of the Zealot without increasing costs so that the Model 4 could last until the next model cycle.
1964 Zealot Engage, Entrance
Front end has been facelifted to match the corporate look
Engage
Base spec price leader, basic trim, 5 seats
29Kw 4 cylinder, Manual Gearbox
Price when new: $930
Service costs: $40 per annum
Fuel economy: 10L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 21.6 sec
Quarter Mile: 21.6 sec
Top speed: 115 Km/h
Entrance
Standard spec family car, standard trim, 5 seats
44Kw 4 cylinder, Manual Gearbox
Price when new: $1,035
Service costs: $68 per annum
Fuel economy: 10.3L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 14.2 sec
Quarter Mile: 19.8 sec
Top speed: 135 Km/h
1964 Zealot Entice
Premium paint for a premium product!
Entice
Value added premium aura, Premium trim, 4 seats
44Kw 4 cylinder, Automatic Gearbox
Price when new: $1,130
Service costs: $81 per annum
Fuel economy: 11.1L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 16 sec
Quarter Mile: 20.3 sec
Top speed: 126 Km/h
1964 Zealot Enthuse
2/3rds as bonkers as the Mk II version, 100% as fun to drive!
Enthuse
Eager to drive funabout, standard trim, 4 seats
59Kw 4 cylinder, Manual Gearbox
Price when new: $1,125
Service costs: $79 per annum
Fuel economy: 12.6L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 10.7 sec
Quarter Mile: 18 sec
Top speed: 146 Km/h
The Mk III Model 4 was expected to maintain market share against the competition while upholding the Bogliq ethos of “buy better, buy Bogliq” until its replacement arrives. The Model 4 was also flagged for potentially being included in production feasibility studies being conducted for a factory in Brazil to export throughout Latin America.
No changes to the sheetmetal for 1964 but the Mk III Cargostar and Squadstar had major changes under the skin. The first major change is the shift to L-FWD. Back to back tests with a RWD Haulage proved that the L-FWD configuration was easier and safer to drive, boosting driver confidence, while the load carrying capacity was undiminished. The two variants also separated from each other a little further with the Cargostar maintaining a manual gearbox while the Squadstar received a three speed auto. The Cargostar’s suspension was left fundamentally unchanged while the Squadstar gained progressive springs and an overall less unforgiving re-tune.
1964 Cargostar
Now even more van-like!
Cargostar
Low cost delivery vehicle, standard trim, 2 seats
60Kw 4 cylinder, Manual Gearbox
Price when new: $1,185
Service costs: $74 per annum
Fuel economy: 11.3L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 13.5 sec
Quarter Mile: 19.15 sec
Top speed: 144 Km/h
1964 Squadstar
Now even less van-like!
Squadstar
Budget people mover, basic trim, 7 seats
60Kw 4 cylinder, Automatic Gearbox
Price when new: $1,390
Service costs: $71 per annum
Fuel economy: 15.4L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 16.3 sec
Quarter Mile: 20.25 sec
Top speed: 115 Km/h
The Mk III Model 5 is intended to continue to maintain sales volumes for Bogliq USA and ensure that Bogliq has a finger in as many pies as possible! The Mk III Model 5 is also part of the production feasibility studies being conducted for a factory in Brazil to export throughout Latin America.
The suite of changes to the Mk II Overlander were a step in the right direction but didn’t go far enough. The Mk III solves these niggling concerns by re-positioning the Overlander as a Heavy duty, Utility vehicle and installing a larger, more powerful, V6 engine.
Larger than it’s sibling but is just as capable off-road
Entrance
LWB workhorse, basic trim, 2+3 seats
93Kw V6, 4x4 Manual Gearbox
Price when new: $1,815
Service costs: $74 per annum
Fuel economy: 18.6L/100Km
0 -100 sprint: 13.7 sec
Quarter Mile: 19.75 sec
Top speed: 153 Km/h
The Mk III Model 6 was re-positioned so that it would better suit mining, oil exploration and light military duties throughout the globe. Domestically, the Mk III Model 6 was expected to appeal to ranchers, oilmen and hardcore offroaders.
