By George Dyke…..
Vintage Motorcycle News has published a comprehensive history and compilation of VéloSolex in their Fall edition of the magazine.
VéloSolex production was extensive, with over 8 million units sold and distributed globally to 75 countries. Initially designed for the working class, the VéloSoleX was also popular among students as it did not require a license. It even became a trend, considered “cool” to ride with celebrities like Brigitte Bardott, Catherine Deneuve and Robert De Niro being photographed riding them.
140 pages are packed with information on every model made as well the evolution to current iterations that are the most elegant e-bikes on the market.
I can only imagine how many hours it took to source, correlate and lay-up all that material. And thanks to the VMN’s editor Pat Castel, we are pleased to offer the Fall edition of the magazine that you can download and enjoy here: https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D1866000_192_316150266
VéloSoleX production was extensive, with over 8 million units sold and distributed globally to 75 countries. Initially designed for the working class, the VéloSoleX was also popular among students as it did not require a license. It even became a trend, considered “cool” to ride. can
I used to have a VéloSolex 3800 here in Toronto. It sure attracted attention here on the streets of Toronto, though navigating across streetcar tracks was a potentially hazardous experience.
Never heard of the Solex Surf Racer, but if you could find one of the 400 made in the 1960s — it sure looks like it would be a fun ride!
The Solex x Versailles is gorgeous! Finally, an e-bike with style!
This article is fantastic! The detailed history of the VéloSolex and the stunning e-bike collaborations are truly captivating. The writers passion shines through, making it a joy to read. Highly recommended!
Hi George, thx a lot for the reference to the VeloSoleX. I can contribute to a little corner myself — I am the happy owner of a VeloSoleX Hispano-Suiza (also known as VHS).
The VHS is one of the rarest chapters in the history of the legendary French motorized bicycle. After World War II, Solex licensed production abroad to meet rising demand, and also in an attempt to re-vitalize the teared-down factory, the prestigious carmaker Hispano-Suiza took on the task: their wartime role in aircraft/armament manufacture (and the repurposing/damage of some facilities during WWII) were the main driver for the decision to begin humbly again. The collaboration seems unusual — an iconic luxury brand producing humble mopeds — but it reflected postwar economic reality: limited access to imported vehicles and a market eager for affordable, fuel-efficient mobility.
Production began in Geneva in 1947, under license, with parts sourced both locally and from France. Estimates vary, but historians believe that about 14.750 units were built, making them far rarer than their French cousins. Unlike the mass-produced Solex models, the VHS often shows subtle differences in finish, badging, and components, but you have to look closely: e.g. the engine block has a “HS xxxx” notation, xxxx being the engine number, to differentiate it from the normal VeloSoleX engines. Swiss-built examples also used local cylinder heads and components (e.g. a brown leather saddle maker).
Surviving examples are exceedingly scarce; perhaps only a few dozen remain worldwide, many restored by passionate enthusiasts. Their rarity, combined with the curious mix of a luxury automotive brand and a minimalist two-stroke bicycle, gives the Hispano-Suiza Solex a unique place in motoring history: both a symbol of ingenuity under constraints and a collectible oddity that bridges two very different worlds of mobility.
On a sidenote, unfortunately, the Hispano-Suiza clubs typically do not recognize this niche vehicle in the history of the brand – multiple attempts at e.g. Retromobile to establish networks were left unnoticed.
More details on the VHS is on http://www.velosolex-hispano-suiza.com (sorry, primarily German language only…).