24 of the slowest classic cars

With a range of around 40 miles and almost a ton of lead-acid batteries that took 10 or more hours to fully charge, the Enfield 8000 is bound to look primitive in comparison with its present-day contemporaries.

But at the time it went on sale it was Britain’s most ambitious attempt at a production electric car.

The Enfield was backed by a Greek shipping multi-millionaire’s money to chase a contract from Britain’s Electricity Council to supply a fleet of 60 electric city cars for long-term evaluation.

The drivetrain came from a Lansing Bagnall forklift truck, and racing-car designers created its tubular spaceframe, wind-cheating aluminium body panels and even an ability to withstand a 30mph frontal crash.

Trying to achieve its claimed top speed tended to use power rapidly, trashing the claimed 40mph range which, on very cold days, was only about 15 miles!

Just 55 were sold to private buyers.

About The Author

Reply