Zagato Zele: 1974 weird Italian electric city car (10 pics + 1 video)

One of the most popular and prestigious design studios in the automotive industry is undoubtedly the Italian Zagato. Founded in 1919 in Milan by Udo Zagato, the company subsequently was distinguished by the creation of bodies and structures of cars that were ahead of their time technically, but also with great finesse.





When the Zagato atelier is mentioned, many people think of some expensive exotic with beautiful style and great power. famous atelier from Milan was founded in 1919 and since then we have gone from them many creations on various models from companies such as Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, Volvo, Lamborghini and many more. But for a short period in the middle 70s Zagato introduced a model that you will never become associate with this world name. This miracle is called Zele.



As you know, in the 1970s, the global oil crisis broke out. Fuel prices jumped sharply, and the automotive industry had to adjust to the new reality. And many automakers just not released. Then it occurred to someone at Zagato that a small electric city car would be the ideal solution in as an alternative for anyone who does not want to spend money on gasoline.





The choice of name fell on Zele, while some copies were imported into the United States under the name Elcar, which was an abbreviation for electric vehicle. While any other the manufacturer would refuse to put his logo, fearing to spoil image, Zele has always proudly carried the Zagato name and has been frequently advertised in the media.



When developing this baby, the company took as a basis another legendary urban model. This is the Fiat 500 from which the only the chassis, and then a higher shell was installed on it, designed from fiberglass reinforced plastic. Steel more space for the driver and one passenger. This miracle was positioned as double.



The place where the rear seats were on the Fiat was used for engine and batteries, and the trunk was practically non-existent. The car was just over two meters long, 1.3 meters wide and 1.6 meters in height, and weight was 495 kilograms. Marelli Company took care of the mechanical part. The maximum speed was 40 km / h, and on a single battery charge, he could drive 80 kilometers.



Then, to charge the batteries from a home outlet, it was required from eight to twelve o'clock. Zele had a three-speed gearbox gears, and if the driver wanted to engage reverse gear, he had to use a special lever in the cabin. There were also rumors that he was two times more powerful engine, which would increase the maximum speed up to 48 km / h, but the information has not been confirmed.



Production would run from 1974 to 1976, during which time Zele acquire 500 customers. It is not known how much it cost in Europe, the Yankees laid out $6,430 (about $32,670 in today's money). Popular city cars at the time, such as the Volkswagen Beetle or Ford Pinto, were about three times cheaper, so it's understandable why sales were low.



At first glance, it was one of the models developed by companies who wanted to take advantage of the crisis and make a profit. Zagato, of course, he will not remember him today, but at one time he was more important for company than cooperation with a reliable partner.