FOR SALE A revolutionary Sinclair C5 unused on display with boxed owner’s pack. MODEL HISTORY Launched on the 10th January 1985 this electric single seater was a completely new form of personal transport and a world first for Sir Clive Sinclair. Claims of 1000 miles for the price of a gallon of petrol, a range of up to 40 miles with an optional second battery and ability to be driven by anybody over 14 without a licence or road tax all for highly competitive £399 inc VAT, seamed enticing. A special launch show at Alexandra Pavilion on the weekend of the 12-13th January 1985 was poorly timed with cold wet British weather highlighting its limitations of a battery that ran down quickly, a maximum speed of only 15 miles per hour and lack of weather proofing. Combined with safety concerns of being dwarfed by vehicles on the road, poor reviews followed and within three months of the launch, production had been slashed by 90%. Sales never picked up despite Sinclair's optimistic forecasts and production ceased by the end of 1985. Out of 14,000 C5s made, only 5,000 were sold before its manufacturer, Sinclair Vehicles, went into receivership. Thousands of unsold C5s were purchased by investors and sold for hugely inflated prices, as much as £6,000. Enthusiasts have established owner’s clubs and newer batteries have now extended the range. No matter if you think of the C5 as a curious oddity and national flop or a serious alternative in personal transport, one thing is for sure, they are great fun and a cult classic! EQUIPMENT Aerodynamic injection moulded polypropylene body, specially coated steel backbone chassis designed by Lotus Cars, lamps, padded steering bar, all-round reflectors, key operated ignition switch, LED microprocessor display units, built-in boot, power activated push switch, powerful front and rear brakes, range and performance improving pedals. Boxed Owners Pack containing: Charger, battery fixing kit, tool kit. EXTERIOR Designed by Sinclair, styled by Guy Desbarats, (a graduate of the Royal College of Art), and developed and tested by Lotus Cars, the C5 could run at the speed of an Olympic sprinter, or so claimed the press release! The distinctive and smartly styled polypropylene body is in remarkable condition having never been ridden in 40 years! All plastic lamp lens covers are immaculate with the rear unit still having the quality assurance inspection sticker attached! The seating area is virtually unmarked with the serial number sticker still attached to the frame. The high-intensity reflective tape produced by 3M has come unstuck in small areas but a replacement OEM roll is included. The lockable white boot area, (only found on later models), is clean with the Hoover service information sticker still attached and the underside is beautifully preserved. MOTOR & TRANSMISSION The C5’s 250W 12v motor is one of the few non-British components, supplied by the Italian firm, Ploymotor, a subsidiary of Philips. Specifically designed and lightweight, the maximum power-assisted speed is 15 mph. The drive to the Torrington made tubular step-swaged rear axle is taken through an epicyclic reduction gearbox which incorporates glass reinforced nylon gears. Drive transfer is by a toothed belt to one wheel. This example has never been ridden and is being sold for display purposes only. WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES The wheels were specially designed for the Sinclair C5, moulded from glass-reinforced nylon. The front is 12.5-inch diameter and the rears 16-inch shod in correct Sinclair rubber tyres. Powerful front and rear brakes are operated by cycle type brake levers engineered to avoid locking of the front to ensure straight-line braking in all conditions. HISTORY FILE Such a controversial vehicle that it has now become a cult classic! This particular example was built in October 1985 at Hoover’s Merthyr Tydfil facility towards the end of C5 production. It was owned by the late Charles Snarski, a well-known expert in C5 circles and resided in his personal collection before being purchased by one further keeper in 2019. Only ever on display, it remains unused to this day still with its boxed and unopened C5 owners pack! Supplied with two keys and the key code tag along with wonderful period artifacts such as the Sinclair Vehicles Press Information bulletin, a copy of the January 1985 C5 driver Souvenir Edition magazine and the January 19th Motor Magazine where the C5 is road tested with the headline, ELECTRIC SHOCKER! A new power in personal transport and a true 1980’s icon, instantly recognisable and guaranteed to raise a smile whenever it is seen!