Arzens (France) - AllCarIndex

Arzens is a French automotive brand founded in 1951 by Paul Arzens, an artist, sculptor, and designer based in Paris. Arzens gained recognition during wartime Paris for his innovative approach to vehicle design, particularly with his self-designed electric car, l’Oeuf. This unique, near-spherical vehicle was notable for its early adoption of concepts that would later be associated with the bubble car genre, predating similar designs by over a decade. However, l’Oeuf remained a one-off prototype.

In 1951, Arzens developed another small vehicle known as the Carrosse. This model featured an innovative construction method that utilized an exterior tubular chassis with flat metal paneling, allowing for cost-effective production without the need for heavy industrial equipment. The Carrosse was equipped with a rear-mounted 125cc engine, enabling it to reach speeds of over 45 mph (72 km/h). Despite its promising design and engineering, the Carrosse also remained a prototype and did not enter mass production.