Dodo (United States) - AllCarIndex

Dodo was an early American automobile brand that emerged in 1912, based in Detroit, Michigan. The company was a division of Auto Parts Manufacturing Co. and was notable for its innovative design in the cyclecar segment. The Dodo featured a 10/12 horsepower, air-cooled, two-cylinder engine that powered the front wheels, a configuration that was relatively advanced for its time.

The design of the Dodo was conceived by Karl Probst, an employee of Auto Parts. The vehicle's standard track measured 56 inches, allowing for side-by-side seating, although the seats were arranged in a tandem layout. Despite its promising design, production of the Dodo never commenced, and the project was ultimately abandoned.

Following the cessation of the Dodo project, Karl Probst moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he contributed to the development of electric cars at the Milburn company. He later joined American Austin and played a significant role in the engineering of the Jeep through its successor, American Bantam. The Dodo remains a historical footnote in the evolution of American automotive design, representing the early 20th-century interest in cyclecars.