Electrifying Classic Cars

[Yertis]

Andy665 said:

I watch Vintage Voltage and find some of the conversions make perfect sense whilst others I would not entertain.

Where the ICE is a weak spot in a vehicle (BMW Isetta, Land Rover, Beetle, 2CV6) then going electric really does improve them

When the engine has character and / or power (308, BMW CS, Fulvia) then going electric detracts from the overall package

The engine in the 2CV is a gem – without it half the fun is gone.

[tim0409]

Yertis said:

The engine in the 2CV is a gem – without it half the fun is gone.

I’ve owned a number of them in the past and I agree 100%.

[Europa Jon]

One of my favourite EV dream conversions would be a Citroën SM. Some may say it's heresy to do away with the Maserati motor, but we should all think 'each to their own'. If we all thought the same, there wouldn't be many cars produced to choose from.

[Bodo]

tim0409 said:

Yertis said:

The engine in the 2CV is a gem – without it half the fun is gone.

I’ve owned a number of them in the past and I agree 100%.

I agree as well. A DS, however, is a good candidate for a BEV conversion.

[PomBstard]

Of all the Citroens out there, I think one best for EV conversion would be a CX, pref a big ol’ Safari version or Loadrunner. The looks coupled with silent running would be a great match, and the original engines are nowt special anyway.

[Johnspex]

Zener said:

ajprice said:

DonkeyApple said:

Andy665 said:

I watch Vintage Voltage and find some of the conversions make perfect sense whilst others I would not entertain.

Where the ICE is a weak spot in a vehicle (BMW Isetta, Land Rover, Beetle, 2CV6) then going electric really does improve them

When the engine has character and / or power (308, BMW CS, Fulvia) then going electric detracts from the overall package

I think that's probably the logical conclusion. No shortage of classics where the engine is an irrelevant part of the experience or even detrimental. Right at the other end there are plenty where the petrol engine is an integral part.

Likewise, there are some classics which are ubiquitous and if one or two get converted it's of no relevance whereas some are very rare and you'd feel more obliged to maintain the heritage.

In a way you have the E type sitting somewhere in the middle of those two factors. The engine plays a strong part but it's a ubiquitous classic.

Extreme examples of where the engine plays a massive role would be things like F40s whereas a great example of a car that can be vastly improved by simply removing the original engine and doing nothing else would be the diesel Range Rover Classic.

to all of this.

Gets a vote from me too

This makes more logical sense than anything else I've read. Nicely put, if I may so.