Design Management Group

Sinclair C5

The Sinclair C5 was a 99lb battery-powered, one-seater tricycle with a white plastic body, 33lb lead-acid battery, and 250W 12V DC motor. It had a top speed 15 mph, range up to 20 miles, and was priced at £399 (by mail order).

Recent legislation allowed it to be classed as an 'electrically assisted pedal-cycle', so could be driven by over 14's without insurance, driving licence, road tax or crash helmet.

The C5 was launched on 10 January 1985. Initial reaction was mixed, amidst concerns about its vulnerability in traffic. Production capacity at the Hoover plant in Wales was 200,000 per year but only 1000 units were sold in the first month and about 5000 the next.

Faced by a string of adverse publicity and disappointing sales, Sinclair Vehicles went into liquidation in October 1985.

Sir Clive Sinclair had sold £12m of shares in Sinclair Research to finance the doomed project. Personal losses resulted in the sale of Sinclair's computer business to Amstrad.

Sinclair was clearly committed to the quest to produce a successful electric vehicle, and many who joined the project became equally enthusiastic. Unfortunately, the early enthusiasm quickly evaporated when the product was released to a more unforgiving market.

Further information

• Planet Sinclair website: Sinclair Vehicles 1985: The C5
• Adamson, I. and Kennedy, R. (1986) Sinclair and the "Sunrise" Technology, Penguin Books (out of print)
• Adamson, I. and Kennedy, R. (1986) The Machine Stopped (excerpt from above on Planet Sinclair website)
• Dale, R. (1985) The Sinclair Story, Duckworth (out of print)
• Dale, R. (1985) The C5 conceived (excerpt from above on Sinclair C5 enthusiasts website)
• Dale, R. (1985) The C5 built (excerpt from above on Sinclair C5 enthusiasts website)

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