Classic EVs

[mik]

So we've all seen electrickery conversions of E-Types, early 911's etc, and @IanF just posted a report that "Chesil Westfield" will trade again, and have an EV version in the pipeline.

Will such things work?

Do new-school EV powerplants "work" with classic cars (or current renditions of classic cars). EV powered Cobra / GT40 / Stratos replica sir?

[Explosive Newt]

I'm probably somewhere between 1 and 2. The restomod spirit is all about improving an older car with modern tech while retaining the spirit of it: an AC Cobra is as defined by V8 noise as it is by its shape. I think there is a potential though to create stupidly rapid, very interesting and dare I say it more useable versions of older cars in this way but it will take a lot of care, attention and thought to mate an electric motor to an old school manuel transmission and make it work in a satisfying fashion.

[Jimmy Choo]

An electric classic Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia or Alfa would be heresy but an Electric classic Rolls or Citroen DS seems perfectly acceptable to me.

I'm unsure about Beetles but a Morris 1000 would be acceptable.

My main concern is that throwing 400bhp in something with drum brakes, skinny tires, shitty handling and fewer safety features than your average guillotine might not be the best idea especially if you've tripled it's weight by nailing it onto the running gear from a tesla.

[V8Granite]

Can you imagine being in a Beetle without the engine noise to drown out the squeaks and awful NVH?

Dave!

[Holley]

I watch these guys quite a bit (see below video of current projects).

Surprised at the number of testarossa owners going for a conversion. But then, I've never had to live with a standard one.

They've done a number of Defender conversions (there's several videos already) which I'd happily own.

[ZedLeg]

Depends on the car TBH, air cooled 4 cyl Porsches are ideal for it. I'd have an electric 912 Targa if money allowed.

[mik]

From Holley's video. A 912 (or 911 if you start with one) with nearly 50/50 weight distribution. Great.

[jamcg]

I think if the engine was crap changing it for ev is fine, see also if the engine tears itself apart spectacularly then an ev could be considered

However classics where the engine is the heart and soul of the car, like the f40s turbo noise or a Shelby mustangs exhaust note etc then to ev one of those should be punishable

[ZedLeg]

From Holley's video. A 912 (or 911 if you start with one) with nearly 50/50 weight distribution. Great.

Aye, I'm sure it was a Targa built by them that put the idea in my head. Same folk who built the Defender Jonny Smith drove to London iirc.

[JonMad]

I've got half an eye on converting one of my father in law's Morris Minors to EV one day. Would the loss of ICE from a 70 year old car be a big issue? It'd lose some of the character, but make it somewhat safer (with a brake upgrade a swell) and easier to drive.

[Mito Man]

Like I said in the other thread, I wouldn’t mind an electric classic for pootling round in London but it would be sacrilege to convert something to ev which had a great engine.
When your average speed over a tank of fuel is in single figures a clutch is not welcome and the engine probably doesn’t enjoy it much either.

If we were to go down the path where ICE is totally banned maybe then I’d be ok with EVing something which even had a legendary engine. Because if the choice is between never driving it or driving it with an electric motor, the latter would still be preferable. And I reckon it would still be more fun and engaging to drive than a modern EV.

[DeskJockey]

An electric classic Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia or Alfa would be heresy but an Electric classic Rolls or Citroen DS seems perfectly acceptable to me.

I'm unsure about Beetles but a Morris 1000 would be acceptable.

My main concern is that throwing 400bhp in something with drum brakes, skinny tires, shitty handling and fewer safety features than your average guillotine might not be the best idea especially if you've tripled it's weight by nailing it onto the running gear from a tesla.

JSTAS.

[Barry]

I think if the engine was crap changing it for ev is fine, see also if the engine tears itself apart spectacularly then an ev could be considered

However classics where the engine is the heart and soul of the car, like the f40s turbo noise or a Shelby mustangs exhaust note etc then to ev one of those should be punishable

This is what I came to say too. If the original motor is nothing special and/or sh!ts the bed, then EV conversion to keep the car on the road is OK IMO.
I half expect to convert my dads TR3 at some point, the motor is a mildly breathed on tractor engine at the best of times, and he's already losing the will to drive it (he's 80).

Waay down the line however, I'd still rather see an EV powered E-Type on the road than no E-Types on the road.

[Rich B]

A mate of mine does the website for Everati

https://everrati.com/

They have a fairly interesting selection of cars - but the overall story seems to be that the cars have to be desirable and worth decent money in the first place. No one will pay big money for a converted mondeo!

[JonMad]

A mate of mine does the website for Everati

https://everrati.com/

They have a fairly interesting selection of cars - but the overall story seems to be that the cars have to be desirable and worth decent money in the first place. No one will pay big money for a converted mondeo!

Nice photography and site. But - Ker-ching!

[mik]

A mate of mine does the website for Everati

https://everrati.com/

You should let him/her know that the GT40 page quote 800bhp output in one place, and 800bhp/tonne in another place.

And I refuse to believe it weighs 1000kg.

[Rich B]

A mate of mine does the website for Everati

https://everrati.com/

You should let him/her know that the GT40 page quote 800bhp output in one place, and 800bhp/tonne in another place.

And I refuse to believe it weighs 1000kg.

it says 577bhp/tonne? Aaah, found the typo

[integrale_evo]

I am in the undecided camp.

While I see the appeal in a quicker, quieter, smoother, more reliable power plant in a cool looking old car, a lot of the appeal of old cars is the sound and smell and occasional bit of tinkering with basic tools.

Im sure my Alfa would be much nicer to drive around a city with a motor and batteries, I would seriously miss the fizzy little engine buzzing along on the quiet country lanes. And while it would be much nicer on the motorway, it wouldn’t disguise the awful wind noise and the wipers not working properly at 80mph.

I can see why people do it, but I don’t think it’s for me.

[jamcg]

I am in the undecided camp.

While I see the appeal in a quicker, quieter, smoother, more reliable power plant in a cool looking old car, a lot of the appeal of old cars is the sound and smell and occasional bit of tinkering with basic tools.

Im sure my Alfa would be much nicer to drive around a city with a motor and batteries, I would seriously miss the fizzy little engine buzzing along on the quiet country lanes. And while it would be much nicer on the motorway, it wouldn’t disguise the awful wind noise and the wipers not working properly at 80mph.

I can see why people do it, but I don’t think it’s for me.

Question then- would you consider it if the engine suffered a complete unrepairable failure?

[integrale_evo]

No, I’d probably put the engine out of a later 33 or 145/6 in with a pair of throttle bodies and an emerald ecu or something