Mini Electric Wedge: 1974 Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar
As of late, it appears like there’s not much middle ground with folks I hear discussing modern electric vehicles. People either seem to love them and wouldn’t consider anything else, while others wouldn’t even think about buying non-fuel-powered transportation. Maybe the same mindset holds true for tiny houses and micro cars, but if you happen to be a fan of small dwelling areas plus dig battery-powered rides, or perhaps just happen to be in the market for something unusual on the car circuit, this 1974 Sebring-Vanguard Citicar here on eBay might be a winner in all of those categories. This one’s in Montevallo, Alabama, and might be a good choice if you have limited storage space or just appreciate novelties. The initial investment isn’t going to break the bank either, as the opening bid of $3,999 has yet to be placed, nor has anybody ticked the $6,500 buy-it-now button.
Sebring-Vanguard, Inc. first began producing these micro-cars in 1974, so this one’s an early example, and the seller tells us that it’s a two-owner vehicle that was parked in 1985 by the first caretaker. Then in 2021, it found a new owner through an estate sale, although it’s not believed he ever did any work on it. The CitiCar is also thought to be one of the better examples still out there, as the owner says most of these that come to the marketplace are a lot more run down. I’ve got to agree that from an appearance standpoint, this one still looks really good, and I like the design of those long shackles out back that hold the leaf springs in place.
I was surprised not only by how nicely designed the interior appears but also by the condition, as it seems to have held up well to be nearly 50 years old. There’s not much room in there to work with, and while everything is basic and functional that seat almost looks comfortable, as much as can be for a confined space anyway. Some later models came with permanently installed sliding windows, but you’re going to have to live with removable plastic components on this one.
The early cars came equipped with a 2.5 horsepower electric motor, but unfortunately, we don’t know if it’s operational or not as the 8 batteries dated back to the eighties decade, so the seller removed them and cleaned up the tray area. But he believes all the electrical apparatus is still intact along with the charger, so hopefully, some fresh juice may be all that’s needed to get this one humming again. While some may see the CitiCar as little more than a glorified golf cart, the concept was pretty cool and overall decently executed, but even though it would probably fit in my wife’s walk-in closet I think someone needs this more than I do. Is 6.5 grand reasonable for a well-preserved non-operational first-year example?
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Comments
I currently have this same vehicle in the process of restoration. Rebuilding the electric motor was actually very easy and inexpensive. However, the original controller/pedal system is extremely outdated and I do not plan to reuse it. Original parts are available if you know what you’re looking but not the best option. I plan to use a controller from modern golf cart.
Actually I remember seeing a few of these in the late 70s. Of course, with a 2.5 hp electric motor pulling around all those heavy lead acid batteries plus the driver, its range will be almost non-existent with even fresh batteries.For the day, it was a decent design.
These are always not running, maybe i can find one on YouTube running.
I forgot to mention there’s one of these cars just a few miles from here, it’s on a rotating platform in front of a car wash in Brentwood, Tennessee. Been there for many years, doubt it’s functional:
https://tinyurl.com/BrentwoodTNCitiCar
The electric utility for Long Island, NY had some of these for their meter readers use in those days. I was a little kid back then, but worked for the company in later years, and I remember seeing pictures of them. The company was called The Long Island Lighting Company, or LILCO for short.
Tesla swap.
You never know where these will turn up. I attended a local yard sale( rummage, garage, tag, in other parts) and one of these was in a corner. Naturally, I inquired, not for sale, but an unusual find. Colomorado seems to cater to the unusual aspect of our society,,ahem, yeah, me included.
In case you wasn’t dere, Charlie, the gas crisis( a crisis to us), brought out all the inventors and their rendition of how to solve it. Remember the “Dale”? The CEO was a man, posed as a woman to sell cars. Anyway, it was too much, too soon, and history has shown, you can’t go from 429 LTDs, to a glorified golf cart overnight. Sound familiar? Again, range. These have a range of ABOUT 40 miles, and remember, it’s 20 miles, and better turn around, or it’s the REAL gas saver, the shoe leather express. It’s ( the EV fiasco) is a fad, it didn’t work then, and won’t today for an even greater amount of reasons. 8 blocks to Walmart, maybe, but to think EVs will ever solve our transportation needs,,well, you don’t have to be from Colorado( or the other 22 states) to see that’s a pipe dream.
Here’s an idea. Install a small 4 cylinder gas engine into this thing. After you offer the seller $400 for this heap. Thus, you didn’t overpay, and it actually will be a reliable and fun vehicle.
Looks like a parking lot sweeper I’ve seen around here!
When I lived in northwest Ohio (small town), I saw one of these several days a week (2007-2014). The owner lived 5 blocks from the town square, but I saw this thing parked on the square. I never saw the person driving it, but I do know it was operational. It made it in all kinds of weather (including snow). I would never want one, but apparently it worked just fine for the owner. I asked around, and people basically said the guy marched to his own drummer.
Every town has one. You’ll see them walking around in shorts and flip flops in January. Loudly talking to themselves at the grocery store. Yelling at the sky, etc. And, driving electric cars.
I remember this appearing in Popular Mechanics magazine back in the early 70’s. There was even plans for building one. I think the top speed was about 28 mph so it definitely was a city car. Because of the lead acid batteries it was almost impossible to turn over even if you took a corner wide open, it might slide sideways but with all the weight in the bottom you couldn’t tip it over. Back then the kit cost about $795. Plus batteries.
Probably a fun car to drive from Pennsylvania to Fort Sumner New Mexico to see the Billy the kid museum and grave. Might take 8 months but what an adventure! Interstate 40 might be a little scary at 28 mph but that’s part of the fun!
I think they had a 20 mile range and slow I think a horse could go a way longer range by far
And here is one with 01 and racing flags Ha
https://www.facebook.com/SebringVanguardCitiCar/
Had one for a test drive for about a week in the 70’s. Range was 40 miles on a good day. It drew attention where ever I went. It couldnt take the PA hills and the electric motor would overheat. You would have to stop and let it cool. Fun around town but that was about it.
Bought one used (a ’75) and drove it as our 2nd car for about 2 and a half years, to work every day before garaging it. My work was only about 2 or so miles away from home. After work I then drove to the Y (almost every day). The car worked fine for me, ended up charging it once a week. Even drove it in the snow and ice… again only a short distance to work.
It was always in our small city (foot hills of NC) that I live. The hills gave it a little problem, slowed down to about 27 mph, but they were short hills. I got it up to about 47 once, going down a long hill, and decided that the wheel base was way to short for any speeds above 40, very dangerous for highway speeds… steering to “quick” for safety at those speeds, touch the wheel and you change lanes…
The early ones with the “removable side windows” were the best, not enough air coming in for summer driving with those small opening plastic slide windows. But there were benefits to the later models. as they had the opening BACK window, very easy to put groceries in, I wished mine had that option. Also those later models had a cowling around the electric motor that brought in air to cool the motor and in the winter you could direct the heated air from the motor to the passenger cabin, that “helped” take the chill off in the winter. I wish I had that improvement on mine also.
Basically the car was sort of like driving a very old open car from the early days of automobiles, we forget how times have changed, and how vehicles have improved SO MUCH over the years. The Citycar is really just basic transportation… but VERY economical. I never noticed any change in my electric bill during my operation of the car. Only repairs I made was replacing the batteries and the brushes in the motor.
Sold $4,500 only 2 bids.