Homegrown CitiCar: 1974 Sebring Vanguard
With a nose like a Pontiac Grand Prix and a body like a golf cart, this Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar is a head scratcher. Built in Sebring, Florida, a town more known for its endurance racing events than its endurance-challenged battery-powered vehicles, this little CitiCar was actually the start of the most successful domestic electric car company before Tesla came along. Find this oddity here on eBay with an opening bid of $250 in Deland, Florida.
Sebring and Deland are communities I know pretty well, with most of my inlaws still residing throughout the area. This is not the type of vehicle I’d expect to see in their neck of the woods, especially given the popularity of F150s and Silverados. Still, with the company tracing its origins back to Sebring, and more than one electric car on its roster, it’s not surprising a few are still lingering in the area. This one appears quite complete, with the exception of a roof.
About that nose panel: it ain’t standard. I’m not sure what’s happening up front, but a quick glance through Google Images confirms that the two round headlight pods set inboard from the edge of the nose are long gone and that is definitely a homemade conversion of the front end using Grand Prix components. Interesting – if you’re offended by the CitiCar’s homely looks, this could be the one for you. The interior is spartan and the floor covering is wearing thin.
These little runabouts were definitely faster than your average golf cart but the seller says it will still run on the same batteries. That would be good news, as sometimes the biggest turnoff to electric conveyances (beyond their lack of speed) is the complexity of the charging system. The opening bid of $250 and no reserve means someone could own this electric commuter car for a pittance, and decide whether to leave the custom front end or revert back to OEM condition.
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Comments
Not grand prix but modified olds toronado nose…obvious…
Looks like a Olds Toranado
Sandpaper and fresh varnish and that front end be like new
hahaha.WHAT THE…is this thing street legal! Judging by the looks of those seats
Your head would be sticking above the
Windshield also looks like termites are having a go at it as I write this!?
The seller would need to give me $250.00 dollars to take that thing away.
It’s an interesting piece of automotive history. It should be restored to former spec. And put into a museum. Because it doesn’t look safe to actually drive among public roadway. Just my opinion.
I am going to say Olds Tornado nose narrowed not Grand Prix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR-e3WQclU8
I had a Citicar, used a wind turbine to charge.
Can someone please buy the jacked up Pinto and then drive over this thing a few times with it?
Maybe body swap to an old AMF golf cart? Then take it to The Villages in Florida.
I’m thinking take it to the Village People!
More like a piece of automotive junk.lol
Did anyone notice the car in the background? It’s either a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. Perhaps the owner bought the Citicar to keep in the trunk of the Rolls-Royce as a spare car.
Problem with this car is the top was an integral part of the body shell and needed for structural rigidity. I’ll bet if 2 people get into the car, the doors won’t close & latch.
How many in laws do you have ?
This really looks like one of those ride on electric kid cars, it’s probably cheaper too.
I have a 76 red Citi car. I’ve had for about 5 years. I have yet to put the batteries in it to see if it will run though..