Picture the scene, 40 years ago, Sinclair Vehicles have launched the Sinclair C5 thanks in large to the development by Lotus. Publicity is much needed to boost Sinclair C5 sales and Lotus PR officer, Tony Jardine, has just the idea. What could be greater publicity than appearing with the Lotus race team with the ultimate pit run abouts, two Sinclair C5s in John Player Special Team Lotus liveries? One for Elio de Angelis and a second for Aryton Senna.
The two drivers used them to get around the paddock at the Silverstone GP in 1985, however, due to fog grounding the medical helicopter there was an hours delay to qualifying. Senna jumped in his C5 and promptly entertained the crowd in the main grandstand by “racing” one of the JPS Mechanics, Chris Dinnage (Lead Mechanic for Senna) up and down the start/finish straight. Later Chris and Nigel Stepney took them for a blast down the pits(the wrong way) much to the amusement of the crowd.
It was mooted that they would be taken to other races, but beyond a few public test sessions the C5s were removed from the race truck in favour of carrying additional spares for the cars. Thanks to track marshall Ian Walker, we have a few photos of their appearance, leading to them becoming the ‘Holy Grail’ C5s within the community, the stuff of legend. But what happened to them since?
The Elio C5
The two C5s had been split at some point, probably shortly after the event. In 2010 Clive Chapman (son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman) recalled “I think I’ve got one of them kicking around in the hangar, buried under a pile of junk”. This was the Elio C5 which at some point in preparation for the 1986 Grand Prix season had Elios signwritten name covered up with a sticker for new driver Johnny Dumfries. In 2023 I (Sam Rowell – C5 Depot) was invited to display a collection of C5s at the Lotus Employees Reunion at Classic Team Lotus. All the items Lotus produced were on display with the C5 being the quirkiest of them all. Hertigate Manager William Taylor was running tours of the restoration workshops and hinted “You may like to see what we have upstairs”. Sure enough half way through the tour the Elio C5 was found at the back of the stores. Somehow since 1985 it seemed to have lost several parts such as the front wheel cover, wheel caps and bizarrely its motor brushes. Someone had also pushed it along and wrapped the wiring loom around the rear axle, pulling and splitting the wires.
C5 Depot collected the Elio C5 later that year and with an extremely limited budget recomissioned the C5 back to working order, once again making it rideable, retaining as many of the original parts and hardware as possible. New brake lines, inner tubes and an original tyre were fitted – we wont compromise on safety! The ULA chip in the pod dashboard had also been damaged so a new one was fitted. In exchange for the work carried out the Elio C5 was permitted to attend the Ipswich to Felixstowe Road Run, a 15 mile ride amongst other classic vehicles, but also the largest annual C5 meet in the world. It completed the trip successfully and provided intrigue for C5 enthusiasts and humour for onlookers who thought it was a fun livery, but undoubtedly never realised the provenance.
Serial Number V100050102501 – The 2501st C5 made in January 1985. Cross referenced with Hoover Production Line records left the production line Wednesday 23rd January.
The Elio C5 was returned to Classic Team Lotus where it is now displayed, pride of place in their workshop alongside the JPS cars and brought out for special events such as the Classic Team Lotus Garden Party.
The Senna C5
The Senna C5 is part of the private collection of Manning Buckle, co-founder with Clive Chapman of Classic Team Lotus, founded in 1992. The C5 unfortunately was subject to several years of “child abuse” and was in need of repair. The front of the body had been damaged and Raleigh chopper tyres were now fitted to the rear wheels with the caps being removed. Serial number unfortunately damaged.
A trio of C5 enthuasists – Andy Toop, Karl Whittle and Martin Lindsay – united to carry out a restoration, plastic welding the front end back together before a complete respray. Team Lotus signwriter Paul Banham made a special visit to once again add the JPS livery. The C5 briefly featured on the BBC One Show in January 2015 as part of the 30th Anniversary celebrations where it was ridden and raced by Alex Jones. Following this it returned to the collection and wouldn’t be ridden again.
The Reunion
The 2025 Lotus Reunion was scheduled for September. Luke Lindsay was following in his fathers footsteps pursuing a deep interest in the Sinclair C5. Getting the “youth” into classic hobbies is always a challenge so seeing as I had been tasked by Lotus to put together the C5 Stand once again, Luke was a natural choice to invite. Several weeks before the event he revealed that his father was one of the trio that had restored the Senna C5, quoting, “It would be great if the Senna C5 could be there”. Somehow days later it was scheduled with custodian Andy Toop coordinating its safe delivery to the event.
The day was upon us and the Senna C5 had indeed appeared. The Elio C5 was on display inside but not able to move due to insurance… we would simply have to take the Senna C5 to the Elio C5 to get the dream pictures. Barriers moved aside the two were reunited for a few hours whilst ex-employees and C5 fans snapped pictures and Andy explained what the restoration involved, supported by a booklet of photos documenting the process.
The Senna C5 was extracted and packed away just in time for a heavy rain and hail storm to blow through. The barrier was rolled out across the Elio C5 once again. The Senna C5 will return to its collection and the Elio C5 will return to the Classic Team Lotus workshop.
A fantastic day as ever, a huge thanks to all the C5 owners who attended and the team from Lotus for putting on another great event and inviting us. Looking forward to 2026!
