Although the Enfield 8000 ECC wasn’t what you’d call a sales success, at least it did make production. A visit to the Gaydon motor museum a few months ago was my father’s day gift from the kids. Whilst there we spotted this little stillborn EV beauty from British Leyland.

On the quiet, I happen to think this metal flaked gelcoat glassfibre ‘Electricar’ looks better than the Enfield – certainly from the rear. This prototype was unveiled at the 1972 Geneva Motorshow, styled by Michelotti of Italy and is based upon Mini underpinnings.

Ooh, just look at those gas hob style 10-inch alloys. There are aspects of Vauxhall Firenza and Triumph 2000 (also penned by Michelotti) to the front and old Mazda 323 to the back.

Powered by 24 lead-acid batts driving two 3.9 horsepower motors, the Electricar had a maximum speed of 33mph and 40 mile range (depending on the hills you tackle). Like the Enfield it carried its own on-board charger. Crompton supplied the electric traction and battery systems. I like it. Sadly only one exists and I doubt Gaydon will be putting a fat rack of li-ions in XWO 300J anytime soon…