The BMW i3’s predecessor is not your typical Zagato design.

Zagato is an Italian coachbuilder, located in northwest Milan. It is best known for its GT and sports cars. However, it has also had its ups and downs like every other manufacturer. The company’s original market of handcrafted beauties, in the 1960s and 1970s, was being displaced by cheaper rivals like Opel and Ford. At the 1972 Geneva Motor Show, Zagato had to explore a new segment and present the Zele electric microcar.

The Zele was a departure from other studio creations. It had a fiberglass body that rode on a Fiat 500 chassis and Fiat 124 chassis. There were three options available: 1000, 1500 and 2000. The number denoting the power of the electric motors was also displayed. The Elcar name was used to sell it in the United States. A total of 500 units were made.

Tomorrow, September 5, RM Sotheby’s The Weird & Wonderful Collection auction will sell one of these rare vehicles. It is a Zele 1000 model. Four 12-volt batteries power it. When properly charged, they can provide a range of 50 miles (80 km). Recharging is as easy as plugging into the main power supply through a transformer.

This car was owned by the original owner for 11 years. It was then sold to a private collector, who bought it in 1985. In 2011, the current owner paid for a complete nut-to bolt restoration of the EV. A photo album documenting the restoration process is included with the car today.

The original car was offered in seven colors. This particular car is finished with yellow and will fetch between PS5,000 and PS10,000 or $6,430 to $12,860 depending on current exchange rates.