Zagato Zele

The Zagato Zele, produced between 1974 and 1976, was a distinctive and unconventional departure from the famous Italian design house‘s usual focus on beautiful, high-performance sports cars. Known for creating sleek, aerodynamic models like the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato and the Ferrari 250 GTZ, Zagato took a different approach with the Zele, opting for a more utilitarian, compact electric vehicle. The Zele’s design was characterized by its tall, boxy shape, a stark contrast to Zagato’s signature low and curvaceous lines. Despite its unusual appearance, the Zele was a practical urban vehicle built to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly transportation. The Zele was produced in seven colors: orange-red, brown, dark blue, pastel blue, white, green, and metallic blue. Its chassis and suspension were based on components from the Fiat 500 and Fiat 124, ensuring that the vehicle was easy to maintain and repair. A key feature of the Zele was its electric motor, available in three different power options—1000, 1500, and 2000 watts—offering different performance levels. Approximately 500 units of the Zele were made during its production run. The vehicle featured a unique four-position speed selector and a two-position foot pedal, providing a total of six forward speeds and two reverse speeds. With a range of about 50 miles (80 kilometers) on a full charge, the Zele was ideal for short urban commutes. The Zele 2000 model also included a “boost switch” that reduced torque to increase the top speed, which ranged between 25 and 30 mph (40 to 48 km/h), making it suitable for city driving but not fast enough for highways. The American importer, Elcar Corporation, also created an elongated four-seat prototype called the Elcar Wagonette. Despite its unique design and modest performance, the Zagato Zele is remembered as an early foray into electric vehicles and remains a curious chapter in Zagato’s storied history.