Museum of Science and Industry

The Sinclair C5 – one of the most ridiculed product failures of all time – has turned 25 this year, and MOSI wants any owners to bring their C5s to a reunion on 7 August, during the Museum’s Heroes of Transport festival.

 The electric-powered one-person vehicle was launched by Clive Sinclair at the Air and Space Museum (now part of MOSI) in 1985, to a wave of sceptical media interest. The Sinclair C5 was originally intended as an environmentally-friendly competitor for the moped, but new safety rules meant it was restricted to a speed of just 15 miles an hour. Two production lines were set up at the Hoover Ltd plant at Merthyr Tydfil with the capacity to produce 50 C5s an hour and up to 500,000 a year.

 From the outset, the media ridiculed the C5 for its low speed and unconventional appearance, as well as safety concerns for C5 users in traffic. In the end, a total of just 12,000 C5s were manufactured, and the project, which was partially supported by government funding, cost £22 million.

 MOSI transport curator Nick Forder said: “The Sinclair C5 is one of the most iconic and fondly-remembered vehicles of all time. My grandfather had one which he used to go to the shops and collect his milk and newspapers. One day he forgot to charge the battery and had to pedal home. The C5 was then consigned to the shed! So, I had always thought of the C5 as a bit of a joke, but having driven one around the MOSI site I understand why the people who bought them have a real affection for them. Perhaps if it had been launched later, and aimed at the leisure market, it may well have succeeded. There is a lot of competition among the staff as to who get to drive our Museum C5 around on 7 August, so we’d be delighted if any other C5s could come along too to celebrate this North West innovation. If you have a Sinclair C5 please do bring it along to MOSI on 7 August.”

Lotus cars undertook the development and detail design work of the Sinclair C5. Battery development work was carried out in Bolton and Oldham and a Bosch 250W motor, designed for a truck cooling van, was used with a Lotus-designed gearbox.

The bodywork of the C5 was made from two injection-moulded plastic parts, the upper one of which was the largest single piece moulding of its type. The moulds were made by JJ Harvey (Manchester) Ltd. The initial price of the Sinclair C5 was £399 (plus £29 delivery). This was reduced, by Comet, to £139 (delivered) in September 1985.

MOSI has the C5 Clive Sinclair which was presented to the Managing Director of JJ Harvey.

The Sinclair C5 reunion is on 7 August, and is part of MOSI’s Heroes of Transport festival, which runs during 7-8 August and includes a vintage car rally and display of vehicles, costume performances, workshops and steam train rides.

If you would like to bring your Sinclair C5 please call Nick Forder on Tel: 0161 606 0121 or email: n.forder@mosi.org.uk

For media enquiries please contact: Sarah Roe, MOSI press and publicity officer on Tel: 0161 606 0176, m: 07847 372647

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