Dollarglis
           

 
Dollarglis - a young man's dream
For many young men the dream of emigrating to America was closely connected to the dream of acquiring an American car – a dollarglis. Some of the homeward-bound emigrants say that it was the main reason they went to America in their time! In the course of the years, many dollarglis were brought back to Vest-Agder. When people returned home after years or decades "over there", the dollarglis often came with them on the boat. It was also common for emigrants to bring a car home to Norway when they came here on holiday, and the car was often sold before they returned to America. Several Norwegian Americans have kept the cars they brought back with them 30-40 years ago. Today they are rare and it is quite something for enthusiasts to own an old car.



Tønnes Tønnessen beside his Plymouth.
Photo taken in Bristol, Connecticut in 1961.


What was so special about American cars?
- the colors were often different
- they were usually bigger than Norwegian cars
- they were equipped with considerable horse power
- they had more nickel
- they had more luxury equipment such as electrical windows and soft seats
 

Chevrolet Bel Air 210
The history of this Chevrolet is rather unusual:
It arrived in Kvinesdal in 1961 when the owners returned to Norway after living in America for some years. The Chevrolet was regarded as a Sunday-best car for special occasions – for example when they were going to church. But the car’s status changed over time. The last few years before the present owner took over the car it was used for driving hay, and it only just escaped having its roof cut off so that it could function as a tractor. In recent years the Chevrolet’s uses have included driving bridal couples to church for their wedding.

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