Enfield [2] (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

Enfield Automotive Ltd was a British car manufacturer that operated from 1969 to 1976. Initially based in London, the company later relocated to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. The firm was part of a parent company led by Greek shipping magnate J.K. Goulandris, which was headquartered on the island of Syros in Greece. Some of the vehicles were assembled in Greece, but final assembly took place in the United Kingdom.

The most notable model produced by Enfield was the Enfield 8000, which was recognized as the most successful British electric car of its time. The vehicle featured a steel tube frame chassis, coil spring suspension with independent front suspension, rack and pinion steering, and was equipped with Dunlop Denovo tyres. It was powered by an 8bhp DC motor, drawing energy from eight 12-volt batteries, which allowed it to reach a top speed of over 40 mph and provided a range of up to 40 miles. Only 106 units of the Enfield 8000 were manufactured, with the majority purchased by the Electricity Council, as its price was considered prohibitively high for most private buyers.

In addition to the Enfield 8000, the company attempted to diversify its offerings with the development of other models. One such model was the Runabout, an electric vehicle styled similarly to the Moke, which ultimately did not reach production. Enfield also ventured into the four-wheel-drive market, producing the Safari in 1972, a large saloon based on a Jeep chassis. However, its design did not compete effectively with the Range Rover. In 1974, the company developed two prototypes of the Chicago, a four-door off-road saloon that utilized Range Rover mechanical components, but these models did not enter mass production.