Launched in January 1985, the environmentally friendly C5 was electronics wizard Sir Clive Sinclair's answer to urban traffic problems. Production commenced at Hoover's washing-machine factory in South Wales but ended after just two months, the diminutive electrically-powered vehicle having failed to allay public fears about its safety in dense traffic. 100,000 units had been the projected production in a single year but only 8,000 C5s were made, almost all of which are now in the hands of collectors.
The present owner purchased this early Mk1 C5 in unused condition from Harper Cycles in August 1988 (receipt available). It has made appearances on television and been featured in the press, and was used as a support vehicle on the Challenge Electric record attempt. The vehicle has also been driven around the national circuit at Silverstone and at Brands Hatch. Included in the sale are a Sinclair C5 full brochure, owner's handbook, original (dead) battery (the vehicle is powered by a car battery carried in the original holder) and photocopy of the official Sinclair C5 magazine for January 1985. Rare fitted accessories include indicators (switch and flasher unit excepted), mud flaps with 'C5' logo, High-Vis mast, wing mirrors, seat cushion and new unopened side panels in red.