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Sinclair C5

Sinclair C5

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Sinclair C5Sinclair C5Sinclair C5
Lot number 97
Hammer value £650
Description Sinclair C5
Year 1988
Colour White

Sir Clive Sinclair surprised us yet again in 1985 by launching the C5 battery assisted trike. With a top speed of 15mph, this so called “revolution in urban transportation” could be yours for just £399.

Alas its proximity to the ground made riders feel vulnerable, and certain shortcomings in the motor department made the C5 the butt of many jokes. Whilst getting Lotus to assist in the production engineering may have been a masterstroke, choosing to make it in a Hoover factory certainly was not. The obvious references to “washing machine motors” did not help sales at all.

When promoting the C5, one brave driver took a highly modified version to 150mph to break the electric vehicle speed record. Conversions still exist that increase voltage to 24v, giving a top speed of 30mph – which should be enough for anyone! In the end just 12,000 were made, ensuring the C5’s status as a collector’s piece.

This C5 was purchased new by the vendor as a Christmas present for his young son. Collected in a mad rush on Christmas Eve 26 years ago, they were very hard to get hold of at the time, selling for over list price.

Used for just a few weeks over the Christmas break, the C5 was put away in the loft where it has remained ever since. A new battery has re-energised its performance and it is being sold with its original charger, hand book and tools.
 

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