Sinclair C5
| Sinclair Vehicles | |
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 Sinclair C5 in motion
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| Sinclair C5 | |
| Production period: | 1984-1985 |
| Class : | Light vehicle |
| Body versions : | Roadster |
| Engines: |
Electric motor : 0.25 kW |
| Length: | 1744 mm |
| Width: | 744 mm |
| Height: | 795 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 1304 mm |
| Empty weight : | 45 kg |
The Sinclair C5 is a three-wheeled electric vehicle developed by Sir Clive Sinclair from 1979 and produced by Hoover in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales , Great Britain, from November 1984 . Sinclair believed that this vehicle could revolutionize local passenger transport. Sinclair invested part of his fortune from the sale of equity interests in Sinclair Research and appointed Barrie Wills, who had previously worked for the US DeLorean Motor Company , as a manager .
The C5 was powered by a DC motor with 250 W (0.34 PS), which could be supported with pedals. The motor was supplied by Polymotor, a subsidiary of Philips . It was fed by a 12 V lead accumulator from Oldham Batteries with a capacity of 36 Ah . The vehicle had a central tubular frame made of sheet steel with a fork at the rear and a polypropylene panel. The gross vehicle weight was 160 kg with a luggage compartment of around 40 liters. In total, the Sinclair C5 should travel around 32 kilometers on one battery charge. The maximum speed was 24 km / h. The driver sat leaning back on an upholstered seat, the handlebars under his knees like a recumbent bike . There was no suspension.
Sinclair launched the C5 on January 10, 1985 in the UK for around £ 399 to £ 428 . Consumer protection and motor vehicle associations expressed safety concerns and the media criticized the inadequate weather protection and the short range. The expected sales could not be achieved. The vehicles did not have the promised quality. In August 1985 the production was stopped after almost 17,000 vehicles and the manufacturer Sinclair Vehicles became insolvent. Many of the vehicles produced were later bought at inflated prices of up to £ 5,000. Enthusiasts and collectors also modified the vehicle model with monster wheels, jet engines or added high-performance electric motors to accelerate their C5s to speeds of up to 240 km / h.
Sinclair also originally planned a four-seat version called the C15.
Sinclair C5 with high-vis mast for better recognition
Cockpit of the Sinclair C5
Sliced C5. Left in front of the rear wheel is the battery, behind it the engine
Engine and gearbox under the luggage compartment
Modified C5 with a small jet engine
