The world’s fastest accelerating road legal electric car – Jonny Smith’s Flux Capacitor – has swapped the drag strip for the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.
For the past two years, Fifth Gear presenter and motoring journalist Jonny has been powering the little Enfield 8000 City Car along the straight quarter mile at Santa Pod in a bid to prove that the 1974 EV trailblazer could be brought up to date and beat the mighty, modern Tesla in a sprint.
Having set a European best in 2015, the Enfield took the world crown in July 2016, scorching to a staggering 121mph in just 9.86 seconds to smash both the current Tesla and the US-based White Zombie, a converted Datsun.
The record-breaking run at Santa Pod (picture: Julian Hunt)
Now the car, which has been supported by Adrian Flux since it was rescued then restored by Jonny in 2012, will take a well-earned rest as part of the Driving Change display of motoring innovations and technology.
The record breaker joins other remarkable electric vehicles at the museum, including a 1901 Columbia Electric which was used by Queen Alexandra to drive around the grounds of Sandringham House, an electric 1939 Harrods delivery van, a 1985 Sinclair C5 and a new electric bicycle. These fascinating machines are proof that, far from a modern invention, electric vehicles have been around since the early days of motoring.
In situ at Beaulieu
The Enfield 8000 can be seen in Driving Change as part of a visit to the Beaulieu attraction, which includes entrance to the National Motor Museum, the World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and grounds and Palace House, which has been home to the Montagu family since 1538.
All are included in the standard admission price and discounted tickets can be bought in advance online at www.beaulieu.co.uk. Beaulieu is open every day except Christmas Day from 10am to 5pm. For more information call 01590 612345.