Autozodiaco Explained

Autozodiaco was an Italian car manufacturer located in Bologna, focusing mainly on dune buggies based on the VW Beetle. The company existed between 1968 and 1981.^{[1] [2]}

Car models (Dune buggy)

1. Damaca 1971-1981
2. Deserter 1968-1981 based on VW
   1. Deserter
   2. Deserter 1.2
   3. Deserter Neve
   4. Deserter Jumper
   5. Deserter Jumper 1.2
   6. Deserter Jumper 1600
3. Kirby (Based on a Skoda engine) 1972-?
4. Squalo 1971-?

Converter kits for VW Beetle

California

Motorbikes

In the 1970s they produced the offroad motorbike Moto Zodiaco Tuareg. With large balloon tyres it was intended as a dune buggy.

The Moto Zodiaco was powered by a two-stroke single cylinder 227cc motor with 20bhp, (normally found in snowmobiles) and a pulley transmission (normally found in tractors).^[3] The top speed was around 100 km/h.

The bike had a yank cord start but an electric starter was optional. It was available in colors: sunshine yellow, alpine white and red Verona.

All Cars

In 1978 Autozodiaco sold the rights to construct a three-wheel micro car, renamed the All Cars Charly. It was similar in appearance to the Bond Bug and was powered by a 49cc moped engine.^[4]

See also

• List of Italian companies
• List of motorcycle manufacturers

References

1. Encyclopedia: Autozodiaco. 2011-02-13. Wheels of Italy Encyclopedia.
2. Web site: Autozodiaco Historia.
3. Web site: ITALIAN MOTOR magazine: Moto Zodiaco - two wheeled dune buggy. 3 January 2011.
4. All Cars Charlie, Weird Cars - A Century of the Worlds Strangest Cars - 2nd edition, Stephen Vokins, Haynes Publishing, 2012, page 29, ISBN 978 0 85733 237 0