The Sinclair C5 was a one-passenger electric vehicle built in England in the 1980s. Though it was sold as a commuter vehicle, we don’t know how practical it would be with a top speed of just 15 mph. So perhaps it would better serve as a novelty that people could take rides in at the mall. This is one of just 5,000 built and few made it to the U.S. With a new battery and tires, this little oddity is available here on craigslist and can be found with a dealer in Wichita, Kansas for $4,995.
This little vehicle was the brainchild of Sir Clive Sinclair (the calculator guy), so it was named after him. It is powered by an electric motor supplied by Hoover (the vacuum people?) and was assembled in Wales. For times when the battery runs low or is insufficient (such as for climbing hills), it has pedals like on a bicycle. The company ran out of money, so production was limited to a few thousand before the entity went bankrupt. We don’t know the significance of “C5” as part of the auto’s name.
You wouldn’t want to take this small people mover out in inclement weather as there is no protection for the single passenger. It has one wheel in the front and two in the back, so it’s like a trike. We’re told a few celebrities have owned one of these EVs, including princes William and Harry along with musical entertainer Sir Elton John. This example said to be one of few in the U.S., has accessories like mirrors, turn indicators, a horn, and even a seat cushion for your lower extremities.
We’re told this speed demon is in perfect operating condition. Though they were replaced, the original battery and tires were retained for the buyer. This is one of those purchases for the person who has literally everything as it begs the question, what would you do with it if you bought it? Another wild and crazy tip from Barn Finder Henry Reining!
Now here’s something I could get amped up about! And I’d really get a
charge out of riding it. I could use it to ride to my McDonald’s and home again or use it for Door Dash if Sis didn’t feel like going out one day. It’s shocking to see that you can actually get in and ride it. I would add some
solar panels and a charge converter to increase the range. And since it has pedals, it qualifies as a bicycle and can be driven in the bike lane or
your nearest bike trail. Looks like a fun deal, too bad it’s in Kansas.
$5k for what looks like a kids toy?
There was one still in use here until reasonably recently.
It’s one of those vehicles for people who love their garage queens. Let it sit in the garage and just look at it. It certainly doesn’t (to me anyway) have a practical use and the speed is nothing to cheer about. It is creation of creativity and that is what the human spirit is about. I laud the builder for that!!
Oh Lort. Euroasian Blob strikes again 🤦🏻♂️
Golf cart for singles?
And the golf clubs go where? Not even a cup holder I’m out.
It’s one of those vehicles you look at and wonder not why they sold so few, but why they sold so many.
New three-wheel e-bikes are available for less than this, and are probably faster, longer range and more stable and possibly easier to get on and off of. The C5 portion of the name was either in homage to Sir Clive or the Corvette generation this was intended to best . . .
You can make that same argument regarding most cars featured here. New ones often cost less, go faster, handle better, and are more reliable. If someone wants to collect an early recumbent e-bike, then this is worth the price.
$5,000 will buy you a nice Asian cruiser bike. Complete with a fairing, saddlebags, and a much better chance of not getting run over by the kid in his Hyundai, whose reading his phone.
I’ve been fascinated with these, from the first time I saw them online. Pretty impractical, but the idea of a lightweight recumbent EV is appealing, and I like the shape. A lithium swap would probably be pretty easy to do, give it more range and lighter weight, but you’d need a hard surface all the way to your destination, and you wouldn’t carry much more that your person.
Neat little piece of history, it’d look good in a collection of non-use EVs.
Ownership is the privilege of having something different.
“attack!”
More education, via Barn Finds.
Thanks!
@Scotty: Looks like Russ beat you to the punch on this one!
Ha, dang that Russ! Just kidding, nice work, Russ! I’m on the road so I missed a lot of the last month or so, this is definitely in my wheelhouse!
Love the Syd Mead vibe of these but 15mph seems like it’d get boring really fast.
For my minimalist transportation needs I’ll stick with my filthy little two stroke Yamaha Vino. I’m into it about $700 and couldn’t be more amused or amazed how 70ccs = 50mph so easily.
Great write up, but I’m not sure the word Rare was necessary in the title.
This many comments and no LS6 swap mentioned?
If there was a way to make this thing 50% larger and have a motor capable pf 30 MPH it could be a fun city toy. As is it’s a fun slow toy for someone in a retirement community or in my sister’s neighborhood with its whimsical 14 1/2 MPH speed limit.
acutally bakes, with lithium batteries and brushless motor tech as it is now. upgrading the top end wouldn’t be terribly hard. and you would probably gain substantial range as well.
The only thing most whimsical than tooling around the Villages at 15 mph would be watching someone ride this deathtrap much faster. My first request would be a demonstration. The riding position looks suspect and I’ll wager the stability is as well. Update your life policy before proceeding.