Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and behold the marvelous L’Œuf électrique (The Electric Egg)! It’s not merely a cyclecar; it’s a captivating electric adventure on wheels designed in 1938, when the world was still contemplating the essence of a cyclecar.

h/t: vintag.es

Take a close look at this futuristic egg-shaped vehicle! It resembles a time traveler from the past, featuring a spherical body, a fastback rear, and a design that exudes a sense of being a combination of a bubble, a drop of water, and an egg. Can you envision cruising in this automobile on the streets of 1942? It would undoubtedly attract attention and perhaps even bewilderment.

This masterpiece was created by the brilliant industrial designer Paul Arzens. He must have pondered, “Why settle for a conventional car when you can possess an electric egg on wheels?” Thus, it emerged, flaunting its aluminum body and Duralinox tube chassis, leaving other cars envious of its unique appearance.

Now, let’s discuss the power source, shall we? Arzens faced fuel rationing during World War II, so he thought, “Why not switch to electricity?” Five 12-volt batteries were placed under the bench seat, providing the necessary power for this compact vehicle to swiftly move through the town at a maximum speed of 70 kilometers per hour. Quite impressive for a futuristic egg-shaped car, don’t you think?

But wait, there’s more! After the war, Arzens decided to replace the electric motor with a 125 cc Peugeot engine. It transformed from an electric egg to a petrol-powered speedy vehicle! With 5.5 horsepower, it achieved a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour, making it the trendiest egg-shaped racer.

If you want to see this remarkable piece of history, visit the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris or the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse. It is a rare gem, a relic from the era when the world was fascinated with egg-shaped cars. So, there you have it, the extraordinary tale of L’Œuf électrique, a quirky cyclecar that demonstrates that even in the past, people had a sense of humor when designing cars!