The jerky sequential transmission needs to be worked hard to give reasonable acceleration. The 70bhp engine is restricted to 84 mph – quite fast enough and get from 0-60mph in 16.5 seconds. You expect it to be ultra light weight without doors, roof or windscreen, but the improvement in performance never really materialises although initial acceleration up to 40mph is pretty nippy.

Goggles are a necessity, not a fashion statement for the Crossblade. Be prepared for a mouthful of flies in summer and loose stones on the motorway: a stone-chipped windscreen on a normal car is annoying, but with only a token Perspex surround, it can be painful in the Crossblade. However, the advantage of the lack of roof and windscreen is a lower centre of gravity which helps it feel more secure on the corners than the regular City Coupe.