Le Zèbre
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Founder | Georges Richard, Jules Salomon, Jacques Bizet |
| Defunct | 1931 |
| Headquarters | Puteaux (initially), later Suresnes , France |
| Products | Automobiles |
Le Zèbre was a French automobile manufacturer active from 1909 until 1931, initially headquartered in Puteaux before relocating to Suresnes.
The company was established by and Georges Richard, supported financially by Jacques Bizet, the son of composer Georges Bizet, with the aim of creating a competitive presence in the automotive market.
History
Jules Salomon, an alumnus of the BEM Management School, started his professional journey with the engine manufacturer Rouart Brothers. Later, he joined Georges Richard’s firm, where he met financier Jacques Bizet. Together, they founded "Le Zèbre," a name inspired by a nickname from their former employer.
In 1909, Salomon launched the Type A model, a 600cc single-cylinder cyclecar equipped with a two-speed plus reverse gearbox and shaft drive. It featured a 71-inch wheelbase and weighed 300kg. Priced at 3,000 Francs—1,000 F less than rival vehicles—it offered an attractive value proposition. The success of this model attracted investment from Emile Akar and Joseph Lamy, facilitating factory expansion; Lamy assumed the role of Commercial Director. The vehicle’s reputation was further enhanced by endorsements from leading automotive journalist Baudry de Saunier.
By 1912, Le Zèbre introduced the Type B: a 1750cc four-cylinder engine with seating for four and rated at 10CV, built on a 103-inch wheelbase and priced at 6,000 F—maintaining competitive pricing. This was followed by the Type C, which housed a 785cc four-cylinder engine on an 80-inch wheelbase and was available as a two-seat torpedo body. All production took place at the Suresnes facility. Le Zèbre became known for its durability, reliability, and economical running costs.
During World War I, the French Army utilized Le Zèbre’s lightweight vehicles as liaison cars. Starting in 1915, the Ministry of War placed monthly orders for 40 units, enabling the company to retain its workforce and avoid conscription.
In 1917, internal divisions led to Jules Salomon departing to collaborate with André Citroën on early Citroën automobiles. Jacques Bizet stepped down from executive responsibilities but maintained commercial interests in the firm.
After the war, in 1918, Le Zèbre introduced the Type D featuring a 998cc four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed gearbox and rated at 8CV. Available in torpedo and sedan variants with wheelbases ranging from 98 to 114 inches and prices between 10,200 F and 16,500 F, it remained competitively priced. André Morel joined as Sales Manager for Southern France in 1919.
In 1921, key staff members Edmond Moyet (Chief Engineer), Morel, Akar, and Lamy left to establish competing automaker Amilcar, taking capital resources and sales networks with them. This exodus caused considerable instability within Le Zèbre.
The original Type A was reintroduced on the Type C chassis with minor modifications. By early 1923, only Types A and D remained in production; later that year saw the addition of the Type E sports variant based on the D platform. The pre-war Type C was also reissued with improvements.
A significant advancement occurred in late 1924 when English engineer Harry Ricardo, renowned for his combustion system innovations, designed the Type Z. This model featured a two-litre four-cylinder engine incorporating aluminum pistons and hemispherical combustion chambers. Priced starting at 24,000 F, this Le Zèbre-Ricardo collaboration garnered favorable trade press coverage as a potential revival for the brand. Nevertheless, only about 550 units were manufactured between 1925 and 1930.
Confronted by economic challenges during the Great Depression, Le Zèbre ceased operations in 1931. Their final innovation—a radical single-cylinder opposed-piston two-stroke diesel engine developed alongside Ricardo—was unveiled at the 1931 Paris Salon but arrived too late to prevent closure.
Overall, approximately 9,500 vehicles were produced under the Le Zèbre name between 1909 and 1931; roughly 250 examples are known to have survived to present day.
Bibliography
- The History of the Le Zèbre Automobile Company authored by Philip Schram.