Mini electric car (Zeta) distributed by TADC

[Stefan]

This was the Zagato Zele. Tony Cook bought five in various colours during the oil crisis. They are based on fiat 500 running gear and Zagato made a chunky , typically Zagato, body for them. The minimalist interior, some might opine, might resemble Early Ferrari.
Three of them stayed for many a long year in the yard outside the Patchway factory. If I recall correctly, there was one running one which Toby Silverton may have used. This may well have been in the car park underneath the Kensington showroom.
My dear and characterful Friend Ian Sternfeldt bought two of them from Patchway in delapidated but unused condition and stored them.
I don’t know if he has moved them on yet.
I got an opinion from a racing car electric engineer. he said that you would need to change the controller for a modern one as 50 years has gone by. The Early ones had a one horsepower motor , the later a whole 2 hp. The Zele used a number of lead acid car batteries in a frame, and ran on 48?72 ? Volts.
They were not badged Bristol Zagato, sadly, or I could not resist one.