Electrifying Classic Cars
Discussion
Dave Hedgehog said:
DonkeyApple said:
Escapegoat said:
It’s an electric motor in a Beetle or 911 isn’t it? It looks like one of those 70s under bonnet shots of a tiny 4 pot lost in a big engine bay. 
Yertis said:
Sod that. I'd rather scrap it. The sound of the engine is what gives both my classics soul. Without the straight-six the TR6 is little more than a low-slung, tarted up milk-float.
Spot on 
Electrifying classic cars is utterly futile and completely destroys their reason to exist 
Dave Hedgehog said:
DonkeyApple said:
Escapegoat said:
It’s an electric motor in a Beetle or 911 isn’t it? It looks like one of those 70s under bonnet shots of a tiny 4 pot lost in a big engine bay. bigdog3 said:
Yertis said:
Sod that. I'd rather scrap it. The sound of the engine is what gives both my classics soul. Without the straight-six the TR6 is little more than a low-slung, tarted up milk-float.
Spot on Electrifying classic cars is utterly futile and completely destroys their reason to exist T-195 said:
Blib said:
I investigated electrifying Mrs B's 1970, Fiat 500. A suitable system would cost about £20k.
I'll look again when there's more players in the market.
I expect the cars crash worthiness would only be improved installing some heavy batteries too.I'll look again when there's more players in the market.
bigdog3 said:
This must be the saddest thread on PistonHeads 
It would be if everyone was thinking all classics should be converted but as that isn’t the case then it’s not really sad at all but an interesting discussion. Driving a classic car is about a driving experience. For some it’s attempting to relive a lost era to the nth degree, for others it’s about capturing some of that and blending it with the modern world.
Take an old car and stick an electric motor in it and you’re going to create a new driving experience. That’s not remotely sad or bad but precisely what messing about with cars is all about. It’s about trying new things, creating new things, blending the new with the old.
For those who want total originality there are museums in practically every city with original old cars in them to look at.
Sticking an electric motor in one of many classic cars isn’t really the same as putting eyebrows on the Mona Lisa.
DonkeyApple said:
The conversion is something that I keep mulling over as an interesting project for a Range Rover Classic.
The diesel model is an immensely uninspiring vehicle and a Nissan Leaf drivetrain has more power and makes a much more pleasant noise. At the same time the Rangie has plenty of bonnet space to fit the kit and some of the batteries and plenty of space at the back for the remaining batteries.
It would make for a much more pleasant local potterer and the cost of replacing the diesel lump with an electric motor isn’t going to be a huge amount more than replacing it with a Rover V8.
The 1980s one on the Fully Charged Show looks good and you make a valid point about replacing an awful engine. If it's the worst part of the car it's a great idea given that the 2.4VM diesel lump has virtually no redeeming features (diesel clatter, still poor fuel consumption, poor reliability) and you replace it with an electric motor that has all the characteristics that are ideal for a car like a Range Rover (low noise, huge torque, significant economy improvement).The diesel model is an immensely uninspiring vehicle and a Nissan Leaf drivetrain has more power and makes a much more pleasant noise. At the same time the Rangie has plenty of bonnet space to fit the kit and some of the batteries and plenty of space at the back for the remaining batteries.
It would make for a much more pleasant local potterer and the cost of replacing the diesel lump with an electric motor isn’t going to be a huge amount more than replacing it with a Rover V8.
(now off to spend the rest of the afternoon on Leboncoin looking at 2 door TDs)
DonkeyApple said:
It would be if everyone was thinking all classics should be converted but as that isn’t the case then it’s not really sad at all but an interesting discussion.
Driving a classic car is about a driving experience. For some it’s attempting to relive a lost era to the nth degree, for others it’s about capturing some of that and blending it with the modern world.
Take an old car and stick an electric motor in it and you’re going to create a new driving experience. That’s not remotely sad or bad but precisely what messing about with cars is all about. It’s about trying new things, creating new things, blending the new with the old.
For those who want total originality there are museums in practically every city with original old cars in them to look at.
Sticking an electric motor in one of many classic cars isn’t really the same as putting eyebrows on the Mona Lisa.
Driving a classic car is about a driving experience. For some it’s attempting to relive a lost era to the nth degree, for others it’s about capturing some of that and blending it with the modern world.
Take an old car and stick an electric motor in it and you’re going to create a new driving experience. That’s not remotely sad or bad but precisely what messing about with cars is all about. It’s about trying new things, creating new things, blending the new with the old.
For those who want total originality there are museums in practically every city with original old cars in them to look at.
Sticking an electric motor in one of many classic cars isn’t really the same as putting eyebrows on the Mona Lisa.
bigdog3 said:
Electrifying classic cars is utterly futile and completely destroys their reason to exist
OK I'm prepared to concede that where the engine is crap/souless then electric is an acceptable option.
I'd accept (OK, quite like) electric versions of the following cars:
NSU Ro80
Rover P6 (like in Gattaca)
Citroen DS (also like in Gattaca)
VW Beetle
Those old Saabs that teachers used to drive
I'm sure there are others.
I'd accept (OK, quite like) electric versions of the following cars:
NSU Ro80
Rover P6 (like in Gattaca)
Citroen DS (also like in Gattaca)
VW Beetle
Those old Saabs that teachers used to drive
I'm sure there are others.
bigdog3 said:
DonkeyApple said:
It would be if everyone was thinking all classics should be converted but as that isn’t the case then it’s not really sad at all but an interesting discussion.
Driving a classic car is about a driving experience. For some it’s attempting to relive a lost era to the nth degree, for others it’s about capturing some of that and blending it with the modern world.
Take an old car and stick an electric motor in it and you’re going to create a new driving experience. That’s not remotely sad or bad but precisely what messing about with cars is all about. It’s about trying new things, creating new things, blending the new with the old.
For those who want total originality there are museums in practically every city with original old cars in them to look at.
Sticking an electric motor in one of many classic cars isn’t really the same as putting eyebrows on the Mona Lisa.
Driving a classic car is about a driving experience. For some it’s attempting to relive a lost era to the nth degree, for others it’s about capturing some of that and blending it with the modern world.
Take an old car and stick an electric motor in it and you’re going to create a new driving experience. That’s not remotely sad or bad but precisely what messing about with cars is all about. It’s about trying new things, creating new things, blending the new with the old.
For those who want total originality there are museums in practically every city with original old cars in them to look at.
Sticking an electric motor in one of many classic cars isn’t really the same as putting eyebrows on the Mona Lisa.
bigdog3 said:
Electrifying classic cars is utterly futile and completely destroys their reason to exist
Pulling out a 4 pot and sticking in a V8 makes some people happy with a new experience and doing the same with an electric motor is really no different.
You wouldn’t want everyone to do it but if someone wants to do it to their own car and create a different classic car experience then go for it.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
EVs are really only a benefit to society when replacing all the local potterers, suburban second cars that never do big mileages. ICE will remain for years for all the other stuff. Households which can only afford one car will just have to decide whether to use public transport for urban journeys and have an ICe for the other stuff or whether to have an EV for every day usage and hire an ICE for the longer journeys. Londoners already make these choices so it’s not difficult.
The reality that will dawn over the coming decade is that ICe is here to stay for a long time and that EVs will just make up a significant share of the market and be used where they are more efficient in terms of cost, time and pollution.
Our classics are totally irrelevant in the grand scheme of things but there is always the risk that it’s a hobby that gets picked on purely for spite to stick it to rich scum who are to blame for everyone’s problems in life.
DonkeyApple said:
bigdog3 said:
Electrifying classic cars is utterly futile and completely destroys their reason to exist
Apart from that it isn’t and it doesn’t in all cases. Unless self gratification or taking the moral high ground can be considered useful, futile applies to electrifying classic cars. Beyond gesturing, literally there is no point.
bigdog3 said:
DonkeyApple said:
bigdog3 said:
Electrifying classic cars is utterly futile and completely destroys their reason to exist
Apart from that it isn’t and it doesn’t in all cases. Unless self gratification or taking the moral high ground can be considered useful, futile applies to electrifying classic cars. Beyond gesturing, literally there is no point.
If you can get beyond the DM thinking then you’ll be able to understand that sticking an electric motor in an old car might be a bit of fun and of interest to some car enthusiasts.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff