#LeZèbreTypeA

The “Voiturette” Le Zèbre A was designed in 1908 by Jules Salomon. It featured a 5 hp, single-cylinder engine with a 601-cc displacement (85 mm bore and 106 mm stroke), paired with a two-speed gearbox plus reverse and a shaft drive. The wheelbase measured 180 cm, and the car weighed approximately 300 kg. Initially, it was assembled at the Brasier facilities, which had become Unic in 1904. The A, designed to be cost-effective to produce, was priced aggressively: it sold for less than 3,000 francs, far below its equivalent competitors (averaging 4,000 francs) and significantly less than a mid-range automobile, which cost around 10,000 francs. This democratization of the automobile shook the market, making luxury accessible to the middle class. While some considered Le Zèbre cars closer to cyclecars than automobiles due to their compact size, the type A achieved considerable sales success, proving that the niche targeted by Salomon and Bizet was perfectly chosen. The car, offering respectable performance and low running costs, was well received by the public and soon attracted investment from influential businessmen Émile Akar and Joseph Lamy. Until 1912, Le Zèbre produced only the type A, which continued to thrive thanks in part to an extensive promotional campaign led by Baudry de Saunier (editor-in-chief of Omnia magazine), the most influential automotive journalist of the era. The car underwent several evolutions throughout its production, resulting in multiple series. The differences between the various series were rather subtle and often poorly documented, making classification complex. The main ones are: first Series (A): the original version, designed to be economical, simple, and robust. The bodywork was essential and compact, typically in a two-seater torpedo configuration. Second series (A 2): this introduced some aesthetic and technical improvements. The modifications involved details of the bodywork and some updates to the engine while maintaining the overall design of the first series. Third series (A 3): the most evolved version. Here too, the compact dimensions and single-cylinder engine were retained, but there were updates aimed at improving efficiency and build quality. The often mistakenly cited figure of 100 type A examples produced generally refers to the initial production or that of the first series (A), which was assembled in the company's early years, between 1909 and 1912. However, between 1909 and 1917, it is believed that more than 1000 examples of the type A were produced. By 1921, with the Le Zèbre brand destabilized following the departure of key personnel, the original type A re-emerged, now delivered with the type C chassis and featuring a slightly modified body. It is believed that only a few examples have survived due to their popular nature and the owners' tendency to use them to the very end.

We'll tell the story of this model on the occasion of its anniversary or when it will reach a sufficient number of cars.

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