The story of the 1976 Sebring-Vanguard CitiCar is a fascinating chapter in the annals of automotive history, especially for those intrigued by early electric vehicles. This quirky microcar, birthed from the energy-conscious 1970s, showcases an era’s attempt to reconcile with fuel scarcity through innovation. Manufactured by Sebring, Florida-based Sebring-Vanguard, Inc., the CitiCar emerged as a direct descendant of golf cart designs, morphing into an emblem of minimalist automotive engineering.
With about 2,300 units rolling off the production line from 1974 to 1977, the CitiCar not only marked Sebring-Vanguard’s footprint in automotive history but also positioned the company among the top U.S. auto manufacturers of its time. This electric microcar, with its wedge-shaped silhouette and basic amenities, promised a top speed of around 40 mph courtesy of a modest 5 hp electric motor. Despite its limited range and speed, the inclusion of features like a heater, defroster, and fan underscored an effort to blend practicality with the era’s technological limits.
The CitiCar story didn’t end with Sebring-Vanguard. After the company’s acquisition by Commuter Vehicles, Inc., the design evolved into the Comuta-Car and Comuta-Van, extending its legacy until 1982.
With the production of all its variants considered, the CitiCar saw a total of 4,444 units manufactured by 1979, holding the title as the most produced electric car in North America since 1945, a record it maintained until Tesla’s rise in 2011. This notable achievement underscores the CitiCar’s significance in the electric vehicle landscape, marking it as a pioneering effort in the shift towards sustainable automotive solutions.
This tale of innovation, from its golf cart-inspired origins to becoming a symbol of 1970s automotive experimentation, reflects a time when the industry stood at the crossroads of change, highlighting a journey towards sustainable transportation solutions.
