A rare electric car that's the work of a famed Italian carrozzeria has turned up for sale in Nevada. If you've always wanted to own a car with coachwork by Zagato but couldn't fathom the carbon emissions and lofty pricetag of a classic Alfa Giulietta SZ, here's your chance.

You read that right. This is the same Zagato that gave us legendary bespoke Alfa Romeos and Lancias of the 1950s and 60s and most recently the Spyker C12. When we first came across this pug-nosed EV in the "Other Makes" section on eBay, we, too, were expecting a Cushman logo. Surprisingly, that famous stylized "Z" appeared on the abbreviated fender in front of the golf-cart wheels. "We've all heard of Zagato," owner Mike Valenti told Autopia, "but nobody's ever heard of this." He says its the only car sold directly under the Zagato name.

Instead of Zagato's signature look of a low-slung chassis graced with streamlined sheetmetal, this 1975 Zele (sold as the Elcar in the US) is a breadbox on wheels. External door hinges, visible seams and lights that appear to have been stolen from suburban driveway markers make the similarly styled Comutacar look like a Ferrari 275 GTB.

The payoff? "It sat in my garage for eight years," Valenti said. "As soon as I hooked up the batteries, bang! Off it went." We dare you to try the same with any other 34 year old Italian car.

The Zele was one of the many electric cars that hit the market after the 1973 oil crisis. "That time in the '70s was really the missing link," Valenti said. Even today, he finds the car surprisingly roomy and tight. "It's huge inside," he told Autopia. "It's very stable with nice steering. It rides up high, almost like an SUV." Not bad for a car that's just over six and a half feet long.

According to another Zele owner, the car features a Marelli direct drive motor and uses four 12v batteries. Top speed is around 30 miles an hour, with a range of 30 miles. The exterior is fiberglass, while most of the mechanicals are shared with the legendary Fiat 500 and 124.

Valenti, who owned an RV business in Washington, got the car from a co-worker who bought it from its original owner. Even after moving to Nevada with the car in tow, Valenti has been reluctant to sell it. When an eBay auction fell through three years ago, Valenti said, "I was so torn, I decided to never contact the next bidder."

It's currently for sale on both Craigslist and eBay, and Valenti says he hopes the little Italian electric car goes to a good home. He pictures it for sale at Barrett-Jackson after a rare Lamborghini 3500 GTZ. "Couldn't afford that last one?" he envisions the auctioneer saying. "Well, here's another Zagato."

Photos: Mike Valenti