What's the ideal classic EV conversion candidate car?

[Evanivitch]

swanseaboydan said:

I have a Nissan figaro - I reckon it would be amazing as an electric vehicle - perfect for zooming around town - it’s a sold relatively rust free car - what do you guys think ?

Do it. But temper your expectations as it's quite hard to fit many batteries in small ICE cars! 30-40kWh.

[swanseaboydan]

It would still be pokey though wouldn’t it ?
Sadly it has an amazing engine in it now but it won’t last forever! Would I be looking at sub 6 secs zero to sixty ? Don’t need much range as it just gets used around town

[gifdy]

I’d love to do my Karmann Ghia, but the price to convert is way too high. Electric power would really suit it.



( not my car, but it’s similar )

[swanseaboydan]

If ev conversions keep more of these beautiful (but somewhat underpowered ) cars on the road I’m all for it

[swanseaboydan]

I’m
Assuming the long term maintenance on a well converted car shouldn’t be too tough ?

[ChocolateFrog]

Most Rolls for me.

Their USP is good NVH and the 6.75 V8 is OK but it doesn't define the car.

[ChocolateFrog]

The Honda Insight is also an ideal candidate.

Original NiMh packs have failed by now and don't get me wrong the engine is an engineering marvel, which other relatively mainstream car has a choice of 4 different indexed spark plugs? But it would still suit a full EV conversion.

Super light, wouldn't surprise me if it's 500kg with the drivetrain removed. Super aero already. Even has a place designed to fit batteries.

It's been done already several times but I've always thought it would be great with the running gear from a Zero motorcycle. Over 100hp and lighter than a classic Mini.

[Evanivitch]

swanseaboydan said:

I’m
Assuming the long term maintenance on a well converted car shouldn’t be too tough ?

An air cooled (i.e. Nissan Leaf) battery would have next to no maintenance required provided the Battery Management System kept the cells balanced.

The electric motor is usually no maintenance. The gearbox would need fluid change many years and many miles apart.

Brakes often become the biggest maintenance issue! Rears often seize through lack of use!

I would assume that most EV conversions with rear wheel drive cars have used little or no regeneration to avoid imbalance issues that then require a stability system. So perhaps a classic conversion would use brakes more often.

[swanseaboydan]

Thanks - I’m going to look into it all

[niva441]

[quote=Evanivitch]
I would assume that most EV conversions with rear wheel drive cars have used little or no regeneration to avoid imbalance issues that then require a stability system. So perhaps a classic conversion would use brakes more often.[/quote

Possibly, it would be the safest way for a home build. Although bear in mind the VW ID.3 is RWD and the single motor Volvo have just changed to RWD. However they do have a bit more time and manpower to tune the application of regen and set up the stability control system.

[Shaw Tarse]

swanseaboydan said:

Thanks - I’m going to look into it all

Have a look at https://www.fig-leaf.org/blog

[David87]

Someone I know is putting Taycan 4S running gear into a 1972 Aston Martin Vantage.

[Evanivitch]

niva441]vanivitch said:

I would assume that most EV conversions with rear wheel drive cars have used little or no regeneration to avoid imbalance issues that then require a stability system. So perhaps a classic conversion would use brakes more often.[/quote

Possibly, it would be the safest way for a home build. Although bear in mind the VW ID.3 is RWD and the single motor Volvo have just changed to RWD. However they do have a bit more time and manpower to tune the application of regen and set up the stability control system.

Yep well aware of the MG4/ID3 (and platform sharer and many other single-motor-variants are rear wheel driven. And yes, they have much more ability to tune stability systems.

[gmaz]

This guy is converting an Austin Allegro, with a Nissan Leaf motor.

https://www.youtube.com/@KiwiEVadventures

[GT6k]

I don't want to be negative but after a lifetime of having classics i can only think that with an EV conversion all you will ever be able to hear are the squeaks and rattles accompanied by the sound of it rusting. The engine can drown out the first two and the oil leaks slightly mitigate the third.

[Evanivitch]

GT6k said:

I don't want to be negative but after a lifetime of having classics i can only think that with an EV conversion all you will ever be able to hear are the squeaks and rattles accompanied by the sound of it rusting. The engine can drown out the first two and the oil leaks slightly mitigate the third.

Just need a fake noise machine then. Space ship or V12?

[blank]

Anyone seen what resale value on these conversions is like?

I used to have a 100E Ford Pop and it would have been brilliant with an EV conversion.

I'd love something like that but the current purchase and conversion costs make it a complete non starter.

[GT9]

Toyota Mirai

[Evanivitch]

blank said:

Anyone seen what resale value on these conversions is like?

I used to have a 100E Ford Pop and it would have been brilliant with an EV conversion.

I'd love something like that but the current purchase and conversion costs make it a complete non starter.

I think it's pretty similar to doing an engine conversion in many respects, very much a matter of taste and opinion in how you implement such a radical change on a classic car. Some people expect it to just run like a reliable classic, others expect it to just look like a classic.

Some EV conversions keep the standard gearbox and you just use third gear! Some do a fairly good job of hiding the battery, but usually that means it's fairly small.

[swanseaboydan]

With the figaro - especially in the summer it’s sick a great car to run around in - small, easy to park , quirky etc etc but it’s quite gutless unless you really rag it and if you rag it around a lot it’s likely to blow up ! For that reason really I think it could be good - I’d do the whole lot including new stereo, apple car play etc etc