The first Enfield 8000 electric car rolls of the production line in October 1973. Picture courtesy of John Ackroyd from his book Jet Blast.
AN APPEAL has been issued for people who worked on the Isle of Wight’s pacesetting electric car in the Seventies to take part in a BBC Radio 4 documentary.
The innovative car, designed by John Ackroyd, who went on to design the Thrust 2 car, which smashed the world landspeed record, was built by Enfield Automotive at Somerton.
Although it was recognised as the first electric city car, it proved to be too expensive for the market and production ceased in 1976.
Mr Ackroyd, now 76, from Ryde, said: "One of the electric cars has just been repatriated from an Island collector to the Greek isle where it was built, so it is interesting the documentary should be planned at this time.
"It was a good few years ago we produced the car and there won’t be many people still about on the Island who worked on it — we will see how many the documentary turns up."
Radio 4 researcher Patrick Sykes said: "I have spoken to quite a few of the team, both on the Island and in Greece. What we really want is people who worked on the shopfloor.
"It was a ground-breaking car of its time and we aim to mark its place in motoring history with a show presented by Peter Curran.
"We have bought a car and we are hoping to restore it and drive it from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
"I would be delighted to hear from people on 0207 407 8001."
Two 30-minute programmes are set to be broadcast in December.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk