Jules Salomon was a young graduate of the School of Commerce and Industry in Bordeaux and began his career at engine makers the Rouart Brothers. He then moved to the Georges Richard company where he met Jacques Bizet, son of the composer Georges Bizet, who had the funds to invest in the manufacture of a new marque of motor car; he also desired to create a legacy that would rival that of his famous father. Salomon and Bizet decided not to give their own names to the new car, but instead used the name “Le Zèbre” (The Zebra), the nickname of a clerk of their former employer.
Salomon developed the first Le Zèbre in 1909. It was a 600cc single-cylinder cyclecar with a two-speed and reverse gearbox and shaft drive, designated Type A. It was well received by the public, and attracted investment from two businessmen, Emile Akar and Joseph Lamy; this enabled relocation and expansion of the factory.
The car’s success was further enhanced by positive reporting by the great French motoring journalist Baudry de Saunier.
The Type B of 1912 was a more ambitious 1750cc four-cylinder. This was closely followed by the car in our Snapshot, the Type C, also a four-cylinder but of only 785cc, only available as a two-seater torpedo. All three models were produced from the company’s new factory in Suresnes. Le Zèbre cars became well known for their robustness, reliability and low running costs.
On the outbreak of the First World War, the lightweight Le Zèbre cars were recognised for their “go-anywhere” capabilities and were selected as liaison vehicles by the French Army. From 1915, the Ministry of War placed an order for 40 cars per month, which allowed the company to retain most of its employees and avoid military requisition, unlike most other French car factories.
In 1917 the two founders split up. Jules Salomon left the company and met André Citroën, the then director at Mors, and was instrumental in the development of the first Citroën cars. Le Zèbre’s ownership structure was revised, and Jacques Bizet resigned his executive position, although he retained a commercial stake in the company. Le Zèbre continued successfully until 1921 when its chief engineer Edmond Moyet, and the two investors Akar and Lamy, left to create the rival company Amilcar. The company thus struggled until the end of 1924, when it introduced the Type Z, entirely designed by English engineer Harry Ricardo, that would be its only model. Sadly only 550 examples were built from 1925 to 1930. The company closed permanently in 1931.
Our Snapshot shows Guy Lachlan’s 1914 Le Zebre Type C at the VSCC Winter Driving Tests at Bicester Heritage at the end of November 2024.
Photo by Peter McFadyen. See his website: http://petermcfadyen.co.uk
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