Le Zèbre
Encyclopedia
Le Zèbre is a French make of car built between 1909 and 1931 in Puteaux
, Seine. The company was founded by Jules Salomon who had been with Georges Richard
with finance from Jacques Bizet, son of Georges Bizet
the composer.
The make historian is Philip Schram who wrote the book "l'Epopee de la societe Le Zebre".
In 1909, Solomon developed his first car, the type A. This design proved very economical to manufacture selling for 3 000 francs, or 1 000 F less than competitors. The two friends decided not to give their names to the car instead opting to call it "Le Zèbre" (The Zebra), which was originally a nickname given to a clerk of their former employer. In 1911 the company was registered as "Société anonyme des automobiles Le Zèbre".Originally, the frames are built by Paquis Works.
Car making continued through the First World War. In 1915, the Ministry of War placed an order for 40 cars per month and also for the supply of various military parts.
In 1917 the two founders split up. Jules Solomon left the company and met André Citroën
, the then director general at Mors
. Jacques Bizet remained with Le Zèbre. The company was not as successful as it had been before the war. In 1924 the Type Z was announced with engine designed with help from the English engineer Harry Ricardo
, known in the automotive world for his studies of combustion systems. It did not however sell in the expected numbers and faced with this new failure, the company closed in 1931.
Puteaux
Puteaux is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located in the heart of the Hauts-de-Seine department from the center of Paris....
, Seine. The company was founded by Jules Salomon who had been with Georges Richard
Georges Richard
Georges Richard was a French automobile that was manufactured from 1897 to 1902. Originally copying Benz cars of the era, Richard bought a licence, in 1900, from the Belgian Vivinus to build voiturettes. The designer Brasier joined the firm in 1902 and the marque became Richard-Brasier. Georges...
with finance from Jacques Bizet, son of Georges Bizet
Georges Bizet
Georges Bizet formally Alexandre César Léopold Bizet, was a French composer, mainly of operas. In a career cut short by his early death, he achieved few successes before his final work, Carmen, became one of the most popular and frequently performed works in the entire opera repertory.During a...
the composer.
The make historian is Philip Schram who wrote the book "l'Epopee de la societe Le Zebre".
History
Julius Solomon was a young graduate of the School of Commerce and Industry in Bordeaux, and began his career at Rouart Brothers who were engine makers. He later moved to Georges Richard where he met Jacques Bizet.In 1909, Solomon developed his first car, the type A. This design proved very economical to manufacture selling for 3 000 francs, or 1 000 F less than competitors. The two friends decided not to give their names to the car instead opting to call it "Le Zèbre" (The Zebra), which was originally a nickname given to a clerk of their former employer. In 1911 the company was registered as "Société anonyme des automobiles Le Zèbre".Originally, the frames are built by Paquis Works.
Car making continued through the First World War. In 1915, the Ministry of War placed an order for 40 cars per month and also for the supply of various military parts.
In 1917 the two founders split up. Jules Solomon left the company and met André Citroën
André Citroën
André-Gustave Citroën was a French industrialist. He is remembered chiefly for the make of car named after him, but also for his application of double helical gears.- Life and career :...
, the then director general at Mors
Mors (automobile)
The Mors automobile factory was an early French car manufacturer. It was one of the first to take part in automobile racing, beginning in 1897, due to the belief of the company founder, Émile Mors, in racing's technical and promotional benefits...
. Jacques Bizet remained with Le Zèbre. The company was not as successful as it had been before the war. In 1924 the Type Z was announced with engine designed with help from the English engineer Harry Ricardo
Harry Ricardo
Sir Harry Ricardo was one of the foremost engine designers and researchers in the early years of the development of the internal combustion engine....
, known in the automotive world for his studies of combustion systems. It did not however sell in the expected numbers and faced with this new failure, the company closed in 1931.