What's the ideal classic EV conversion candidate car?
Discussion
gmaz said:
If it were my Testarossa, I'd sell the engine to someone who had a knackered engine. That way, I get a reliable car I can use everyday and someone else gets to put their Testarossa back on the road.
ZesPak said:
On top of that, the engines are kept or sold to maintain other Ferrari's that might not even be running. So the only thing that might happen here (unless everyone starts converting all of them) is that there'll be more of these on the road. I hope for my kids that's the case.
ZesPak said:
I love the fact that when I drive up in my Twizy, some guy with a 4 cyl diesel tells me you can't be a real man and drive in something like that, pushes all the right buttons for them apparently 
. It's odd when people are getting concerned with the resale value of the car you just bought.
Be honest. This has never happened.. It's odd when people are getting concerned with the resale value of the car you just bought.Edited by ZesPak on Friday 18th March 09:47
AstonZagato said:
That was also my assumption - that the self-levelling hydromatic suspension made it ideal.
I'd love an EV converted DS Décapotable. Silent wafting.
Could you just imagine wafting in that with a Tesla AWD Powertrain.. Sublime.I'd love an EV converted DS Décapotable. Silent wafting.
Pretty sure it was Gattaca that had "EV's" built on classics?
This would be all sorts of awesome as an EV IMHO.
Good shout AstonZagato
Edited by T1berious on Sunday 20th March 13:08
Merry said:
I think packaging wise an MGF or TF would work well. Potential to make it 4wd too, lot of money to spend though!
Citroen DS has got to be a shout?
Before MGR went under, there was a TF hybrid prototype that used an electric motor on the front axle... The joys of the subframe and suspension being designed for FWD axles both front and rear!Citroen DS has got to be a shout?
donkmeister said:
Before MGR went under, there was a TF hybrid prototype that used an electric motor on the front axle... The joys of the subframe and suspension being designed for FWD axles both front and rear!
I've seen a couple of mods in the Web where they've done it, but didn't realise the factory did too. Interesting.It's pretty well set up for an EV conversion with being mid engined, wish I had the skills and money to try it with mine in a few years.
I just came across this thread when looking to see if anyone had yet converted an NSU Ro80 to electric, and found many interesting comments.
I too would have reservations converting some classics to EV... but have wanted to build a conversion for 10+ years, just not yet been able to justify or prioritize it over other expenses.
That said, I drove a 1979 RRSSII for 16 years as my daily drive. It was a beautiful car and a pleasure to drive, but it certainly did guzzle fuel.
Unfortunately, the vehicle became a write-off a few years ago, yet the engine was undamaged and it now 'resides' under a tarp.
Though had it been the other way around (i.e. if the engine had died and the car otherwise undamaged) I would have been very interested in converting it to EV, as this would have maintained the quiet smoothness of the RR, whilst making it considerably more affordable to drive, both in fuel costs vs. charging costs... and maintenance. And with an appropriately sized motor, it would probably have performed better than with the original 6.75L V8 engine.
Re the NSU;
I have 3 of these 'futuristic for their era' cars in one of my sheds... one of which I had converted to 13B injected turbo. Another has a very good body and I intend to convert it in the next few years (funds dependent!)
I too would have reservations converting some classics to EV... but have wanted to build a conversion for 10+ years, just not yet been able to justify or prioritize it over other expenses.
That said, I drove a 1979 RRSSII for 16 years as my daily drive. It was a beautiful car and a pleasure to drive, but it certainly did guzzle fuel.
Unfortunately, the vehicle became a write-off a few years ago, yet the engine was undamaged and it now 'resides' under a tarp.
Though had it been the other way around (i.e. if the engine had died and the car otherwise undamaged) I would have been very interested in converting it to EV, as this would have maintained the quiet smoothness of the RR, whilst making it considerably more affordable to drive, both in fuel costs vs. charging costs... and maintenance. And with an appropriately sized motor, it would probably have performed better than with the original 6.75L V8 engine.
Re the NSU;
I have 3 of these 'futuristic for their era' cars in one of my sheds... one of which I had converted to 13B injected turbo. Another has a very good body and I intend to convert it in the next few years (funds dependent!)
If conversions are used only for low mileage then they don't make sense. They will not recoup the conversion carbon footprint and the batteries will age with calendar life rather than cycle and periodically need replacing with more carbon cost.
Carbon from the original manufacture has been sunk and low usage with original fuel not significant.
Carbon from the original manufacture has been sunk and low usage with original fuel not significant.
t engines.
I've always wondered if the Smart Roadster would make a great EV conversion.
Appreciate it would gain some weight, but keep range to 100-150, balance battery weight dist front and rear...
Would be a shame to lose that 3cyl, but less so the gearbox.
See also - anything Kei, daihatsu copen, nissan figaro, etc.
Appreciate it would gain some weight, but keep range to 100-150, balance battery weight dist front and rear...
Would be a shame to lose that 3cyl, but less so the gearbox.
See also - anything Kei, daihatsu copen, nissan figaro, etc.
any write ups/blog we can read? Did it yourself? Thanks, yes the Matra's are my own projects (also have one with Peugeot MI16 on ITBs, and one with the Simca 1600 on DCOEs). I have written an article in PPC magazine, if you send me a PM I can send it to you. I have a small engineering company in the Netherlands, we do EV powertrain development for other companies. Also built some sub 1000kg electric Elises etc.
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