Electrifying classic cars

[Stratman]

Tesla motors make classic cars go faster

Every time a Tesla hits a tree, it's a gift for these enthusiasts.

Around the world, a cottage industry is growing in converting classic cars into electric vehicles.

Small firms are buying up old Nissan and Tesla parts and bolting them into Ferraris, Porsches and BMWs, making them cleaner, easier to maintain and even quicker.

The basic process differs little from firm to firm: take out the engine and fuel tank and replace them with a battery pack and motor, often connecting the motor to the old gear box.

They try to change as little as possible so that the process is reversible.

A very interesting article, well worth reading. Sounds like a good idea to me, definitely an option to consider when your 911's IMS bearing lets go.

 

[Darrell]

Tesla motors make classic cars go faster



A very interesting article, well worth reading. Sounds like a good idea to me, definitely an option to consider when your 911's IMS bearing lets go.

My IMS bearing was sorted long before it could screw up the engine.

 

[ringway]

A very interesting read.

However, I wouldn't want a lovely E9 like the one in the image below being operated on.
What a lovely design that was. I don't think I was old enough to drive when I first set eyes on one and it instantly reeled me in.

 

[219]

Tesla motors make classic cars go faster



A very interesting article, well worth reading. Sounds like a good idea to me, definitely an option to consider when your 911's IMS bearing lets go.

People have been doing this for a while now - there was an episode of Wheeler Dealers a while back where they picked up a Ferrari that had been so modified and then modified it further .

 

[219]

A very interesting read.

However, I wouldn't want a lovely E9 like the one in the image below being operated on.
What a lovely design that was. I don't think I was old enough to drive when I first set eyes on one and it instantly reeled me in.

A good alteration will always be completely reversible .

 

[thebiglad]

A very interesting read.

However, I wouldn't want a lovely E9 like the one in the image below being operated on.
What a lovely design that was. I don't think I was old enough to drive when I first set eyes on one and it instantly reeled me in.

An old boss of mine when I was very young had one of these, a CSL version alu. panelled one in gold. Absolutely beautiful car it was.

 

[slade1]

For most petrolheads the motor is the hart of a classic car. Electrifying does nothing for the environment, cradle to grave.

 

[Benzmanc]

People have been doing this for a while now - there was an episode of Wheeler Dealers a while back where they picked up a Ferrari that had been so modified and then modified it further .

Nearly a Ferrari...

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[c63chris]

If it keeps them on the road then why not. A step on from unleaded conversions done a while ago.

 

[Darrell]

Nearly a Ferrari...

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I saw that one b

 

[ringway]

A good alteration will always be completely reversible .

They said that about my vasectomy, but I'm not sure the operation was done properly.
It just seems to have changed the colour of some of the children we have had since...

 

[219]

Nearly a Ferrari...

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That’s the one I was thinking of

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

If we start getting priced out of IC engine cars in 10 or 15 years time due to green pressures it may be the only way to continue driving our classics.

By that time perhaps there will be plenty second hand motors and batteries to bring down the cost of a conversion.

 

[Bellow]

Can't see these endeavours having much future.

If we start getting priced out of IC engine cars in 10 or 15 years time due to green pressures it may be the only way to continue driving our classics.

But it isn't the same car anymore. A (say) Mk1 RS1600 Escort without its BDA - where's the point? We'll be as well just driving whatever the electric gubbins came wrapped in.

By that time perhaps there will be plenty second hand motors and batteries to bring down the cost of a conversion.

But no recipient cars to install the electrics into. Older stuff will be rotten and with dubious spares availability. Surviving classics then but
any chassis cutting (to accommodate batteries/motors) requires IVA testing and if the car doesn't meet the criteria for original content a Q plate is issued.

Newer cars will require complete integration of the new electrics with the existing just to pass MOTs re airbags, ABS, ESP, etc systems. When those systems won't play ball because of what is already removed and replaced the project stops there.

 

[slade1]

If it keeps them on the road then why not. A step on from unleaded conversions done a while ago.

Nothing in common, MB cars have been able to run on unleaded petrol since the 1950s

 

[thebiglad]

Not talking about that Wheeler dealers abortion but there are companies in various parts of the world that do very high quality transformations that don't change ANYTHING on the original car except the drive-train and it's ancills, crate up all of that to keep it safe, then make the new drive and power pack to sympathise with the original design objectives.
Cost is significant, but if you want continue enjoying your classic in a cleaner world, you now have the choice.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Can't see these endeavours having much future.

But it isn't the same car anymore. A (say) Mk1 RS1600 Escort without its BDA - where's the point? We'll be as well just driving whatever the electric gubbins came wrapped in.

But no recipient cars to install the electrics into. Older stuff will be rotten and with dubious spares availability. Surviving classics then but
any chassis cutting (to accommodate batteries/motors) requires IVA testing and if the car doesn't meet the criteria for original content a Q plate is issued.

Newer cars will require complete integration of the new electrics with the existing just to pass MOTs re airbags, ABS, ESP, etc systems. When those systems won't play ball because of what is already removed and replaced the project stops there.

Glass half empty there......lets revisit in 15 years and see if there are lots of companies doing conversions and kits.

 

[zipdip]

Sorry cannot accept that owners of a BMW E9 worth at least £50 grand would do this,of course if you had a Nissan Micra,I could accept that you might want to pay three times what the car is worth to convert it to electric,of course there will always be unkind people who might doubt your sanity.

 

[thebiglad]

Hi Zipdip, I reckon it'll be the absolute opposite. If you're going to commission a change to an EV powertrain, be ready to spend $100,000 !! So I can't see anyone with a Nissan Micra contemplating this for more than a nano second.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I fill up about ~8 times a year, 85l tank, if fuel gets to £4 a litre, it will be costing me ~£3000 a year in fuel, savings over a 10 year period, well that should cover the cost of a conversion.

I don't want it to come to that but if it does, then I have a way forwards. It seems like there is only one way forward for our eco friendly state, and that won't suit my V8.