BBC Radio 4 LW

The Enfield Thunderbolt

The Enfield Thunderbolt: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - The Enfield Thunderbolt, Episode 1

Peter Curran tells the story of the Enfield 8000, Britain's pioneering electric car.

4 Extra Debut. Peter Curran explores the story of the pioneering Enfield 8000, a 1970s electric car built on the Isle of Wight. From 2013.

Peter Curran has bought the 40 year old remains of a piece of motoring history. The Enfield 8000 was a prototype electric car built in the early 1970s at the height of the energy crisis, when the British Government feared that the country would grind to a halt at the hands of the oil producing nations of the world.

The car was the result of a secret deal brokered between a Greek shipping billionaire and the Electricity Boards, and was aimed at creating a revolution in the way we thought about transportation.

The Enfield 8000 was shorter than a Mini but had bold styling and came in a range of classic 70's shades. It was powered by four giant tractor batteries and applied the latest electrical circuitry to control the car. It had no gear stick, just a tiny toggle switch which flicked it instantly from forward to reverse. Just over a hundred vehicles were produced, and enthusiastic early owners talked about its delicate handling, impressive pick up speed and natty aero-dynamics.

Peter Curran tells the first of a two-part story of this ground-breaking British car and tries to breathe life into his 40 year old Enfield for one final challenge.

Producer: David Prest

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2013.

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Documentaries

Factual

Factual: Cars & Motors

Factual: History

Peter Curran tells the story of the Enfield 8000, Britain's pioneering electric car

Peter Curran tells the intriguing story of the Enfield 8000. Built in the 1970s, the car is now heralded as one of the great British motoring breakthroughs

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Enfield Thunderbolt

Episode 1

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4