The legendary Solex moped is coming back in November as the e-Solex. Gone is the 45cc petrol engine, and gone is also the unique frontwheel drive.

The e-Solex is electric, its lithium-ion battery lives inside the frame, and the “false engine” on the frontwheel is now a storage box. The new design is the work of Italian stylist Pininfarina, best known as the company that designs Ferraris.

The manufacturer is currently looking for a French celebrity to promote the e-Solex. It has to be someone from the world of music or cinema, and above all someone who’s a bit “bohemian”. The name of Charlotte Gainsbourg is already circulating.

The original Vélosolex, or Solex was born in 1946. It had a small motor mounted above the front wheel. Power was delivered via a small rubber roller that turned the front wheel by friction through the tire. More than 8 million were eventually sold, mostly in Europe. It was also constructed under license in 57 countries. Production ceased in 1988, but thousands of Solexes are still around as precious collector’s items.

e-Solex site | Solex on Wikipedia | Solex race on YouTube | Solex photos on Flickr

[tags]France,solex,e-solex[/tags]