C5 electric car stolen from Faringdon home of inventor's nephew

Andrew Bryson, who kept his battery-powered vehicle in his shed at his Faringdon home, discovered last week that his prize possession had vanished.

The theft upset the 65-year-old nephew of Sir Clive Sinclair — who launched the C5 in 1985 — and he is keen to find the vehicle.

Mr Bryson, of White Hart Walk, noticed a rip in his shed roof and found the 24-year-old C5 missing.

He said: “I went and got the shed keys and the door was marked. It had been damaged by a crowbar. I was so angry. I couldn’t believe it.

“Whoever took it would have had to have lifted it over my garden wall.

“It would have needed two people. Someone must have seen something as my garden is overlooked by flats and houses.”

The retired hotelier bought the C5 in 1985 at a Wokingham hotel.

Mr Bryson, who has three children, Becky Bryson-Stallard, 37, Charles, 33, and Tessa Bryson, 27, said the family was trying to find the stolen vehicle — “The children loved having a go in the C5 when they were younger and my daughter and son have both been looking on eBay to see if it appears. There was one on there and it actually said it was rescued from a back garden. I had a look, but realised it wasn’t mine, as mine had wing mirrors.”

Mr Bryson had nicknamed the vehicle Sundu1, which means Earthworm in Zulu, because he claimed it looked like one.

He said: “I made it a number plate saying Sundu1 out of stickers and put it on the back. Even though it was just a possession, one does not like to lose any of one’s possessions.”

Inspector Ian Money, based at Abingdon, said: “The C5 may have been of value or interest to some one. We are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.”

Mr Bryson said his grey C5 was in reasonable condition and estimated its worth to be about £300. The serial number is V100050100033.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08458 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.