C5ALIVE Forum

C5Alive General Category => C5 Gallery => Topic started by: James Foster on 17, August, 2009 - 17:24:19

Title: Garage find
Post by: James Foster on 17, August, 2009 - 17:24:19
A friend of mine last year had just sold his house and was having a big garage sale. He emailed a large list of things of not much interest ranging from pots and pans to dinner sets, cutlery, beds etc - yawn. Then further down the list a 'Sinclair C5' was offered at £100. It was non-running and very dusty, but was complete and came with a boot full(literally filling up the boot) of original extras in there boxes so I had to have it and offered him £55.
I have only really now got round to doing anything with it so will clean it up and get the electrics sorted first

(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt322/Foz1975/L1000879.jpg)
The guy who owned it runs a marketing company and used it once to promote something - hence the 'Racing for Sussex' detailing. He got a professional signwriter to do it so I may just touch it up and keep it rather than erase it.

(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt322/Foz1975/L1000881.jpg)
Here's the spares and extras that came with it. Seems a shame to discard the boxes

(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt322/Foz1975/L1000878.jpg)
Front view with 'No.1'. Bit cliched, but I will probably keep this as well!

(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt322/Foz1975/L1000882.jpg)
Apart from scratches and grazes, this is probably the worst part of this C5. I think the chain came off once and some herbert decided to cut through the plastic transmission tunnel to put it back on.   

(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt322/Foz1975/L1000880.jpg)
Another view of the inside. At this point the control box was being looked at by C5 Martin
Title: Re: Garage find
Post by: Karl on 17, August, 2009 - 17:47:23
I'd be properly pleased to buy that lot at such a cheap price mate  8)

It is a crying shame about the butchered transmission tunnel , but the indicator kit and other accessories soften the blow  ;D

Can't wait to see you out and about in it  - I agree that restoring the signwritten paintwork is an excellent idea.
Title: Re: Garage find
Post by: Retro Andy on 17, August, 2009 - 20:37:14
Wow, what a deal, the mirrors are worth that alone and the indicators even more, as Karl said its a shame about the big whole in the body work, but you could always replace it if you really wanted. Keep us up to date with the progress.

Retro Andy
Title: Re: Garage find
Post by: radiomarty on 17, August, 2009 - 21:04:38
Got to be a bargin at £55 with all those extras !!!!! - hope to see you up and running soon.

Regards Radiomarty
Title: Re: Garage find
Post by: James Foster on 18, August, 2009 - 10:30:23
It is a shame about the transmission tunnel, but then again, I'm not looking to make it a minter and I might be able to bodge a repair with fibreglass. I have always wanted a classic car of some description. After looking at old Reliant Scimitars and even a Bristol 406, I decided these were much too ambitious for a novice like myself without a big garage, so a C5 seemed like a perfect intro. At least I am not having sleepless nights over repair bills.....
Title: Re: Garage find
Post by: Retro Andy on 18, August, 2009 - 10:48:50
Thats how I got into the C5, I had allways wanted one when they were lunched, but at thirteen never got the chance, I started looked for a classic vehicle on e-bay a few years ago a found a sinclair C5, now its great to get out, get together and have some fun.

Retro Andy. 
Title: Re: Garage find
Post by: Karl on 18, August, 2009 - 18:41:21
It is a shame about the transmission tunnel, but then again, I'm not looking to make it a minter and I might be able to bodge a repair with fibreglass...

Only a suggestion, but why not make an "inspection panel" out of some of that really thin aluminium checker plate ? It would disguise the damage nicely by looking deliberate and also keep within the "racing" theme ;)

 
Title: Re: Garage find
Post by: James Foster on 18, August, 2009 - 20:32:45
Actually got the thing running this evening - reconnected the pod and control box after their service. Pod lights came on, motor jerked into life. Seemed to go fine - the gearbox was smooth, the motor purred as if new and, even on our stoney driveway, I could even imagine reaching the advertised 15mph on a smooth road. Then, after a brief stop, I restarted it and...nothing, except a click when I pressed the accelerator coming from the control box reostat thingy. Oh well, I think someone else had the same problem on this board so will look into this. At least it was working more than before.
Title: Re: Garage find
Post by: Nitrowing on 19, August, 2009 - 19:16:10
Carbon fibre or kevlar sheet overlay over the tunnel? You can use it just like fibre glass but it looks much, much more trick!