1985 Sinclair C5
Length: 5’9”
Seating: 1
Power: 250 watts (electric motor)/ one human
Estimate: $3000-$5000
Sir Clive Sinclair built his fortune in the early 1980s through a range of pocket calculators and home computers, but he ventured into vehicle production with the awkward C5. It’s hard to call the C5 a microcar, as it’s more like a recumbent tricycle with plastic bodywork and an electric motor. To avoid tax and licensing problem, the C5 could only travel 15 mph and had a range of only 6 to 10 miles on a single charge. Travel further, and the driver (rider?) was forced to start pedaling. That the riders were left fairly vulnerable when in traffic further hurt the Sinclair’s chances at success.
