Latest news with #SinclairC5
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Sinclair C5 'still brings joy' 40 years on, says inventor's son
Forty years after British entrepreneur Sir Clive Sinclair invented the Sinclair C5 his son said it was "brilliant to see people are still enjoying them".The tricycle-like vehicle, which has a pedal-assisted electric motor, was invented by Sir Clive in 1985.A group of enthusiasts rode their C5s in a rally from Histon to Cambridge on Sunday, finishing at the Sinclair Building on Willis Road, which was the former headquarters of the Griffin, 57, from Northampton, who arranged the rally with fellow C5 fans, said: "People love them, and the younger generation asks if they can hire them - they don't realise they're 40 years old." The enduring appeal of the C5 is perhaps best summed up by Sir Clive's son, Crispin Sinclair, 59."It was probably a bit early for its time, but a beautiful design," he said."When you look at them, they haven't dated." Modern-day C5 enthusiasts regularly meet up, and Sunday's rally to Cambridge, which was first posted on Facebook group Odd Things Around Cambridge, attracted 10 C5 owners who travelled from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire, Suffolk and Oxfordshire. "We all have a mutual love for the C5," organiser Mr Griffin said."We try not to do journeys that are too long, but this was about 12 miles there and back - so we all made it."With newer, lighter batteries they have a much better range than they did."The C5's size means it was fairly easy to transport for meetings such as this."One chap can get his [C5] into his Nissan Micra," he Griffin bought his C5 in 2022 and paid £850 for it."It needed a few bits and pieces but it was useable," he takes it "to the pub and to Tesco as it's very easy to park"."People who see it love to come over and talk and the younger generation often asks where they can hire them - they don't realise these things are 40 years old because they're used to e-bikes and scooters."But people just seem to love the C5," he added. What is the Sinclair C5? The C5 was launched on 10 January 1985 at Alexandra Palace in London and was designed to revolutionise road transport The electric tricycle was built in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales and was available by mail order, priced at £399Its battery provided a range of 18.7 miles (30km) and could reach a top speed of about 15mph (24k/ph)It failed to sell in large numbers - out of 14,000 made, 5,000 were sold before production was wound upBuyers were reportedly disappointed with its limited range, slow speed and inability to climb hills C5 owner Neil Cubitt brought his model from Brandon, Suffolk, for the bought his first broken one in 2009 and has been restoring them ever since."I taught myself how to repair it and I've done about 100 since then."When I first got my C5 my wife thought I was mad," Mr Cubitt with the rise in electric vehicles, interest in C5s was also rising."You can buy a basket case from £600 and and a fully restored one at about £2,000."I think Clive Sinclair - in his day - was a very great entrepreneur, way ahead of his time. He was more ahead than the technology." Crispin Sinclair recalled having one of his father's C5s at sixth form college and taking it into Cambridge."I got chased by a bunch of yobbo's but fortunately my friends were there and the others ran off.""I think the idea of a little electric vehicle was absolutely spot on and very early - but probably a different format would have been more successful - perhaps a little electric bike or maybe a little said, he admitted the C5 was a "lovey thing to zip along in and there's a look about them as well - I think the designer did a great job on the aesthetics of the vehicle"."Even though it's 40 years old it still looks modern." Asked if his father was disappointed the C5 did not take off, he said: "I don't think so - if it doesn't work, it doesn't work and he'd move on to the next project."As he used to say, 'never look back'." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Wales Online
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Huge Hoover factory that employed 5,000 people to be torn down
Huge Hoover factory that employed 5,000 people to be torn down It's reported that the demolition is to make way for more than 400 new homes on the historic site The Hoover factory closed in 2009 but was a major employer in the area (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency ) A major chapter in Merthyr Tydfil's industrial past is set to close as plans move forward to demolish the former Hoover factory. The BBC has reported that the sprawling post-war site, which for the past 16 years has served as a distribution hub, will be torn down to make way for more than 400 new homes. Civil engineering firm Walters Group is reportedly purchasing the land, subject to planning approval expected later this year, and intends to begin demolition in 2026. The loss of the factory signals more than the end of a building, as it may signal the end of an era for lots of people. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here Employees at the Hoover factory on October 5, 1981 (Image: Mirrorpix ) At its peak in the 1970s, Hoover employed over 5,000 workers in Merthyr, producing washing machines and household appliances that became household staples across Britain. The American-owned company had first arrived in the late 1940s as part of a post-war drive to bring foreign investment to struggling British regions. Article continues below It also didn't just provide jobs as it also brought sporting facilities, social events, and multigenerational employment to the tight-knit town. The factory even dabbled in innovation as in 1985 it briefly assembled the Sinclair C5, a three-wheeled electric vehicle that became known for its commercial failure. In 1992, it again made headlines when their free flights promotion for people buying a product over £100 went wrong, leading to a costly legal battle due to the high demand it could not meet. Production at the factory ended in 2009 after the then-owners moved manufacturing to Turkey. In a statement shared with the BBC, Hoover has stated: "Our Merthyr Tydfil washing machine factory was more than just a production site. "It was a symbol of dedication, excellence and community, and we are grateful to everyone who was part of that achievement. We want to express our deepest thanks to every team member past and present, and to the broader Merthyr community. "You are, and always will be, a vital part of our history and identity. Your legacy is woven into every step forward we take, and your contributions will continue to inspire and define who we are. "We are committed to working closely with all affected employees and community leaders to provide support through this transition. "Thank you, Merthyr, for being an irreplaceable and unforgettable part of our journey." Article continues below
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Littleport man finds Sinclair C5 on Facebook and drives it on the road
An unusual mode of transport has been turning heads after it was restored to its "former glory". Mark Robinson from Littleport in Cambridgeshire said he had spent the last few years restoring a tiny, electrically powered tricycle-like vehicle. The Sinclair C5 was invented by British entrepreneur Clive Sinclair in 1985 and has a pedal-assisted electric Robinson, 49, takes his restored vehicle onto the roads and said the invention had been "ahead of its time," and was called "cool by the youth of today". Mr Robinson bought the vehicle - affectionately named Clive - on Facebook Marketplace in 2021 before he revamped said the tyres were ruined, it was black and he had to 3D print the rear indicators due to price and availability for the model. "In 1985, in my opinion, the world wasn't quite ready for electric vehicles," Mr Robinson said. "They looked like nothing else that was out there, and people weren't quite aware of that sort of genre of vehicle."He added that Clive moved at about 14 mph and could travel about 12 miles on a decent charge. Mr Robinson said he had been impressed with its range and drivability, adding it also received lots of smiles, waves and "looks of bafflement" from younger generations. He remembered the first time he saw the invention at a Cambridge electrical shop in January 1985."It was a demonstrator, you couldn't drive it or anything like that, but you could sit in and have your photo taken, and that was my first time in one. "I was impressed, it was a fun thing to see." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Stuff.tv
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
These retro wireless headphones are hotter than Mr Motivator's lycra onesie
Unless you're wearing a shellsuit while watching a Betamax video of Roland Rat driving a Sinclair C5 to Woolworths to pick up a copy of No Jacket Required by Phil Collins, there are few things that look more '80s than these KM5 Lightwear Headphones Hp1. Originally crowdfunded in Japan last year, enough people wanted to look like Marty McFly that these retro headphones are now available to buy for £159/$189 – and they've had some important upgrades to make them fit for use in 2025 rather than 1985. For starters there's Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio support, so you don't need to worry about finding something with a 3.5mm port to plug them into, and even though they sit on your ears rather than fully covering them you get noise-cancelling with a transparency mode too. At 103g they're more than twice the weight of the original Sony Walkman headphones they mimic, but those didn't have a 120mAh battery attached on each side, plus they still make the new Sony WH-1000XM6 look like they're made out of lead. There are no wires to connect the two sides, so you need to charge both batteries independently. Fortunately there's a special split cable included in the box, and they should last up to 24 hours between charges, which is more than enough for the full discographies of both Phil Collins and Roland Rat. As well as those batteries, each earcup is also home to a 40mm driver and a set of controls. You can adjust the volume, skip through your tunes, and also summon your phone's voice assistant. The KM5 Lightwear Headphones Hp1 are available in two different colours, both with swappable magnetic ear cushions. The white ones come with gray and turquoise, while the black ones get black and dark red. Choose the pair that best matches your shellsuit.
