Would you put an electric motor in your classic?
Discussion
So, petrol maybe around for the rest of your lifetime at a reasonable cost.....it may not. I suppose this depends on your age and therefore whether you could be bothered or not!
Let’s say you’ve got a classic that you can still imagine driving around in 30+ years time or a car you’d like to pass over to your son/daughter at some stage. Could you ever envisage driving your Classic 911, Mustang, Austin Healey with an electric motor? What about your Ferrari 250 GTO or Zagato Aston DB4???
Would it boil down to availability and price of petrol or would the experience of driving such a classic without any sound, smell or gear changing be such an unbearable though that you just couldn’t bring yourself do put an electric motor in such a historic vehicle?
Personally, I’ve just dipped my toe into the world of historic motoring...my car is worth about £12,000 so it will be a while if ever that my car with have an electric powerplant. I would, however, consider going electric if I had an E-Type or similar and could easily afford the swap. I suspect the engine would be made into a coffee table and displayed rather like a stuffed Dodo!
It must be a thought that many classic car owners are going through at the moment.
Let’s say you’ve got a classic that you can still imagine driving around in 30+ years time or a car you’d like to pass over to your son/daughter at some stage. Could you ever envisage driving your Classic 911, Mustang, Austin Healey with an electric motor? What about your Ferrari 250 GTO or Zagato Aston DB4???
Would it boil down to availability and price of petrol or would the experience of driving such a classic without any sound, smell or gear changing be such an unbearable though that you just couldn’t bring yourself do put an electric motor in such a historic vehicle?
Personally, I’ve just dipped my toe into the world of historic motoring...my car is worth about £12,000 so it will be a while if ever that my car with have an electric powerplant. I would, however, consider going electric if I had an E-Type or similar and could easily afford the swap. I suspect the engine would be made into a coffee table and displayed rather like a stuffed Dodo!
It must be a thought that many classic car owners are going through at the moment.
Edited by Lordbenny on Friday 27th December 11:50
Teddy Lop said:
I'm no purist and don't mind a restomod so don't have a fundamental issue with it in the right car, but in an "engine" car - such as a ferrari or a muscle car - its all manner of RONG.
Agreed. For me it's a 'case by case' basis, for example & IMHO the car below could actually be enhanced with an electric powertrain IF it could be done without sacrificing any of the fabled ride quality...
However, do the same to this & it loses it's reason for being...
I’m not asking whether you want to swap for electric NOW, you don’t HAVE to at the moment...I’m suggesting whether you would be prepared to do it if there was little other option.
There may be an option in 30 years time when you can go to a track and buy a few gallons of petrol for £50 a gallon so you can do a few laps in front of excited vans of historic vehicles!
This post is only really for classic owners......would you?
There may be an option in 30 years time when you can go to a track and buy a few gallons of petrol for £50 a gallon so you can do a few laps in front of excited vans of historic vehicles!
This post is only really for classic owners......would you?
Edited by Lordbenny on Friday 27th December 12:16
I’d agree too. As has been said in various articles/ videos if the engines a key part of the cars character (air cooled 911) then no, in perhaps a DS then yes. If it meant the difference between driving it or not then I probably would, indeed I might have to make this decision in the future.
My E30 325i will stay petrol up to the point where it becomes unavailable and, despite what some may think, that's likely to be long after I'm gone. One of the main reasons I love the car is the noise of the engine and the way it delivers the power.
If I had the money and was in the market for a big wafty saloon there are a multitude of 50-80s cars I'd think about converting.
If I had the money and was in the market for a big wafty saloon there are a multitude of 50-80s cars I'd think about converting.
Not sure I could do it to an e type or 50s 60s Ferrari.
But if I had the funds I would consider a 1994ish xjs with an elec engine. I’m quite interested in a company that upgrade to modern brakes, suspension (I think they were on top gear once) so why not an electric engine.
But I’m not sure I could do it to a real classic.
But if I had the funds I would consider a 1994ish xjs with an elec engine. I’m quite interested in a company that upgrade to modern brakes, suspension (I think they were on top gear once) so why not an electric engine.
But I’m not sure I could do it to a real classic.
I have two more or less identical Riley One-Point-Fives, a '63 and a '65. The '63 is on the road and is used regularly. The '65 is being restored and is a rolling shell at present. I'd happily 'electrify' it now if it was an affordable option and if the range was around 200 miles on a charge. Alas, neither is attainable.
Maintaining originality doesn't bother me; of the 20+ cars I've owned only two haven't been tweaked in one way or another.
Maintaining originality doesn't bother me; of the 20+ cars I've owned only two haven't been tweaked in one way or another.
Edited by Riley Blue on Friday 27th December 14:19
Polrules said:
Agreed. For me it's a 'case by case' basis, for example & IMHO the car below could actually be enhanced with an electric powertrain IF it could be done without sacrificing any of the fabled ride quality...
Been done, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYpWHMBswUs
will some one hunt the interviewer down a damage him please
Wouldn't this be dependent on how special the engine is on the car? For something like a classic Roller, an electric motor would be lovely. In a Ferrari, it would detract from the experience.
I'd love one in my Calibra. The V6 make a lovely noise but when it all goes chips I'd certainly think of electrification. The engine isn't the point of the car to me, it's the looks (you may well question my tastes). If I could have that without the 20mpg, constant leaks and more shove then I'm all for that.
I'd love one in my Calibra. The V6 make a lovely noise but when it all goes chips I'd certainly think of electrification. The engine isn't the point of the car to me, it's the looks (you may well question my tastes). If I could have that without the 20mpg, constant leaks and more shove then I'm all for that.
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