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    1. #1
      Join Date
      Apr 2009
      Location
      Michigan
      Posts
      322
      Country Flag: United States

      What classic cars do you think are "right" for an EV conversion?

      Hey guys,

      We're seeing more and more classic cars (VWs, Porsches, pony cars, etc) being converted to electric. Inevitably, some people think converting a given car to electric "ruined" it.

      I'm a bit of a traditionalist, and I would be hesitant to convert the typical 60's - early 70's muscle car (I'm thinking Camaros, Mustangs, Chevelles, Cudas, Challengers, etc) to electric since to me the V8 is a big part of those cars' identity and experience.

      That said, I think other classic cars, such as VWs, Corvairs, early Toronados, 1961-1963 Tempests, Fieros, and DeLoreans would be good fits for EV conversions, since they were generally forward thinking cars with non-iconic drivetrains. A lot of mini/micro cars would fit the bill too - I'm thinking original Mini Coopers, MGs, Triumphs, Subaru 360s, etc.

      What do you think? What classic cars do you think are "right" for an EV conversion?
      - Ryan

    2. #2
      Join Date
      Jan 2000
      Location
      Thousand Oaks California
      Posts
      10,028
      Country Flag: United States
      I used to have a '65 VW bus. I would be all over updating that.

      I also would not hesitate to got the EV route with my 4 door '55 Bel Air if I wasn't so far into it.
      Larry Callahan
      Founder/Administrator of Pro-Touring.com, G-Machines.com and HostMyJunk.com
      To advertise on Pro-Touring.com click here

    3. #3
      Join Date
      Sep 2009
      Posts
      2,695
      Country Flag: United States
      I have thought it would be pretty cool to do the EV swaps, but with a manual transmission. Would be a really interesting combo.


      1955 Nomad project LC9, 4L80e, C5 brakes, Vision wheels
      1968 Camaro 6.2 w/ LSA, TR6060-Magnum hybrid and etc SOLD
      1976 T/A LS1 6 Speed, and etc. SOLD

    4. #4
      Join Date
      Apr 2007
      Location
      New Jersey
      Posts
      520
      Country Flag: United States
      Well the cobra that was done would be my choice todo..

      Doug L.
      68 RS/SS Conv. LSA/T56.
      67 RS Coupe LS2/T56 named "NutKse"


    5. #5
      Join Date
      Jul 2017
      Location
      Island Lake, IL
      Posts
      131
      Country Flag: United States
      If it wasn’t too much money and the EV motor made good power, I’d consider swapping in my ‘79 Trans Am. The GM website is eluding to a 700hp EV motor package but we’ll see what actually gets released. 700hp EV bolted to the original 4spd T10 would be cool for me.

      Hey GM, I’ll take it. Sponsor me! haha

    6. #6
      Join Date
      Nov 2018
      Posts
      642
      Country Flag: United States
      I wouldn't think twice about converting the plain 6cyls or small V8s, but not one of the low number count high value models that should really be in museums. The sound is nice, but not necessary when you have 0-60 times in the 3-4 second range. Plus, if gasoline ever goes the way of the dodo, I'd still want to be able to drive my car.
      2021 Durango R/T
      2005 Dakota beater
      2003 Dakota project-o-mobile

    7. #7
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Jacksonville, FL
      Posts
      1,651
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by thedugan View Post
      Well the cobra that was done would be my choice todo..

      Saw this one at Amelia Island last month. Interesting….
      Attached Images Attached Images      
      Chris
      1968 Chevy Camaro SS
      LS3/T56 DSE suspension


    8. #8
      Join Date
      May 2010
      Location
      kitchener,Ontario,Canada
      Posts
      2,336
      Country Flag: Canada
      I think really any older truck and or 50s-60s era cars. they seem to have floors which are more flat ,allowing batteries to be tossed under . lower C.O.G, crazy torque, j guess we could toss any full-size wagon , cadillac and Lincoln's in there too ????
      Spinnin'my tires in life's fast lane

      Ryan Austin
      On twitter @raustinss
      On Instagram austinss70

    9. #9
      Join Date
      Feb 2019
      Location
      Kankakee IL
      Posts
      362
      If the choice is to convert to EV or have a lawn ornament then I'm going EV. What type of car is incidental. The ICE will be legislated out of existence long before the oil dries up.
      Tracey

    10. #10
      Join Date
      Jul 2017
      Location
      Island Lake, IL
      Posts
      131
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by Tsaints1115 View Post
      If the choice is to convert to EV or have a lawn ornament then I'm going EV. What type of car is incidental. The ICE will be legislated out of existence long before the oil dries up.
      X2. I love my gas engine the sound it makes but I will swap rather than have a lawn ornament….not that my car hasn’t been on Jack stands the better half of the past 10 years lol

    11. #11
      Join Date
      Feb 2019
      Location
      Kankakee IL
      Posts
      362
      Quote Originally Posted by Jonathonar89 View Post
      X2. I love my gas engine the sound it makes but I will swap rather than have a lawn ornament….not that my car hasn’t been on Jack stands the better half of the past 10 years lol
      Yep. And for all those that say that there car has to make noise there'll be a market for downloads of designer exhaust tones. Flat plane, Hemi, nitro blown, etc. Make any noise you want.
      Tracey

    12. #12
      Join Date
      Oct 2010
      Location
      Rockaway. NJ
      Posts
      211
      Country Flag: United States
      I hope I am dead and buried before this becomes a thing.....
      Troy
      67GTO

    13. #13
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Central Florida
      Posts
      476
      Quote Originally Posted by 67gtonut View Post
      I hope I am dead and buried before this becomes a thing.....
      Me too 1000%... generations behind us are going to miss a lot of what made our car culture great.

      BB

    14. #14
      Join Date
      Nov 2006
      Location
      Mountain Springs, Texas
      Posts
      4,488
      Country Flag: United States
      I am dreading the day but at the same time as an electronics engineer I am sort of looking forward to the challenge. The cost of the conversion is too high at this point.

      I would do a conversion on my 57 Buick Estate hardtop wagon. I think it would be a great platform.

      Before and after pics….

      Don
      Attached Images Attached Images    
      1969 Camaro - LSA 6L90E AME sub/IRS
      1957 Buick Estate Wagon
      1959 El Camino - Ironworks frame
      1956 Cameo - full C5 suspension/drivetrain
      1959 Apache Fleetside

    15. #15
      Join Date
      Apr 2009
      Location
      Michigan
      Posts
      322
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by dhutton View Post
      I am dreading the day but at the same time as an electronics engineer I am sort of looking forward to the challenge. The cost of the conversion is too high at this point.

      I would do a conversion on my 57 Buick Estate hardtop wagon. I think it would be a great platform.

      Before and after pics….

      Don
      Wow Don, that's a beautiful car. Nice work.

      I agree that someday 50's cars will be good candidates, especially for the less common platforms where original drivetrain parts are getting harder and harder to find.
      - Ryan

    16. #16
      Join Date
      Feb 2019
      Location
      Kankakee IL
      Posts
      362
      Quote Originally Posted by Bad Bowtie View Post
      Me too 1000%... generations behind us are going to miss a lot of what made our car culture great.

      BB
      Generations evolve. When was the last time you drag raced your horse?
      Tracey

    17. #17
      Join Date
      Nov 2006
      Location
      Mountain Springs, Texas
      Posts
      4,488
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by stab6902 View Post
      Wow Don, that's a beautiful car. Nice work.

      I agree that someday 50's cars will be good candidates, especially for the less common platforms where original drivetrain parts are getting harder and harder to find.
      No the black one is not mine. Sorry for the confusion! The black one is what I hope mine will look like. That black one is a pretty famous car. I can only wish I built it.

      Don
      1969 Camaro - LSA 6L90E AME sub/IRS
      1957 Buick Estate Wagon
      1959 El Camino - Ironworks frame
      1956 Cameo - full C5 suspension/drivetrain
      1959 Apache Fleetside

    18. #18
      Join Date
      Nov 2018
      Posts
      642
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by Tsaints1115 View Post
      Generations evolve. When was the last time you drag raced your horse?


      Quote Originally Posted by dhutton View Post
      No the black one is not mine. Sorry for the confusion! The black one is what I hope mine will look like. That black one is a pretty famous car. I can only wish I built it.

      Don
      Due to the order the pictures appeared in, I was gonna go with "If that's before and after you must REALLY have wanted a rat rod!" While I'm not into tail fins, that looks like it'll be an interesting project.
      2021 Durango R/T
      2005 Dakota beater
      2003 Dakota project-o-mobile

    19. #19
      Join Date
      Feb 2013
      Posts
      799
      Country Flag: United States
      1970 Buick Electra 225 convertible, just because "Electra."

      Any Corvair that can be saved...

      Waiting patiently on my Tesla Model 3 performance in a couple of weeks (I hope).

    20. #20
      Join Date
      Sep 2005
      Posts
      49,371
      Country Flag: United States
      I have ridden in a Porsche 914 EV - couldn't wait to get out of it. The theory was OK but the execution was Not.

      as someone whose parents always had Station Wagons, I would go that route







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