Shell Solar Car 1

The idea for the Shell Solar car developed in the early 1990s when Shell became highly active in the renewable energy business. They developed three strands, solar, wind power and bio-mass – that’s vegetation to you and me.

At one point Shell had the biggest forestry operation in the world. They also started to develop technology designed to efficiently mass produce large numbers of solar cells. At this time, Shell were actively promoting the Shell Mileage Marathon, a competition which challenged high school and college student teams from around the world to design, build and test energy efficient vehicles.

It was a small step to introduce a class for solar only vehicles; Shell provided 10 sets of two standard terrestrial solar panels rated at 50 watts each to groups around the country. In 1999, the first year the class ran, five teams turned out and the event was a huge success.

Shell themselves had developed their own vehicle to help promote their activities which they called Shell Solar Car 1 - the vehicle on offer today. It achieved nearly 30mph along the pit straight at Silverstone powered only by the sun's rays. Weighing in at just 55 kg including the driver (yes, a school child was the pilot!), it used the standard solar panels coupled to a highly advanced brushless 150 watt motor which was loaned to them for the purpose. Prospective bidders should note that this motor is no longer fitted to the vehicle.

Built of ultra-lightweight tubing covered by a balsa and carbon-fibre shell, it set off on a world wide publicity tour shortly after the Marathon, finally arriving at the Mouldsworth Motor Museum where it has been part of their display ever since.