1911 Le Zebre Type A Torpedo
Engine Type
One cylinder 600c.c with thermosyphon cooling. Cast iron cylinder with aluminium crankcase.
Details of fuel & ignition system
Gravity fed fuel system, with Bosch ZE1 magneto
Transmission
Wet steel on steel clutch with conventional sliding gear transmission, two speed forward and reverse
How did you acquire the vehicle?
I purchased the car from Barry Perdriau who had owned it for 66 years.
Brief known history of the vehicle
The car was imported by Mark Foy on the vessel ‘L’Afrique’, arriving in Sydney on the 11/11/11. The car was gifted to one of his mistresses in the 1920’s but returned to mark a few years later after her untimely death. The car then sat in a shed at Medlow Bath until Mark’s passing the 1950’s. Barry subsequently purchased the car and restored it in time for the inaugural V.C.C.A NSW Rally to Bondi Beach in September 1954.
What do you like & dislike about your car?
The car is very easy to work on as it is so compact. Unfortunately, the car is very slow due to its 4HP motor. A 6HP versions came out the following year.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include?
There are only two Le Zebre Type A’s in Australia. The other car is located on Sunday Island in Western Australia in a state of disrepair.