# Converting Classics to EVs **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [December 20, 2022, 11:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032 "2022-12-20T11:46:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 11:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/1 "2022-12-20T11:46:43Z")
It certainly isn’t cheap, but some folks are opting to do this. > **[Racers, mechanics, tinkerers converting classic cars to EVs](https://apnews.com/article/technology-canada-business-denver-9f9694650c23036ed3ee2e7c917d8e22)** > > DENVER (AP) — When Kevin Erickson fires up his 1972 Plymouth Satellite, a faint hum replaces what is normally the sound of pistons pumping, gas coursing through the carburetor and the low thrum of the exhaust. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/2 "2022-12-20T12:25:42Z")
This may be new to the AP writer, but this has been around a while here in the US and in Europe. VW Beetles make good conversions with a forklift motor, AC motor controller and Prius batteries. 96 volt controllers are available off the shelf. It doesn’t require much strengthening if you don’t try to stuff 500 hp into them. EV drag racing has been around for over 15 years with custom high voltage, high current controllers. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 12:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/3 "2022-12-20T12:27:41Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > this has been around a while here in the US and in Europe. Yup! > **[Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Went Full Bond, Drove a Vintage Jaguar to...](https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/a20759902/royal-wedding-car-vintage-jaguar-e-type/)** > > It was first produced in 1968 and has been converted to run on electric power. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/4 "2022-12-20T13:08:37Z")
I recall seeing electric conversions of Porsche 911s highlighted in a TV show a few years ago. It may have been on Chasing Classic Cars. I think it was this place, although they appear to be just selling conversion kits now. > **[1964-1969 Porsche 911 & 912 EV System - Electric GT](https://electricgt.com/shop/1964-1969-porsche-911-912/)** > > The classic Porsche 911 & 912 are instantly recognizable and engaging European Sports cars. While the factory air cooled flat four engines are a lot of fun, they require constant upkeep and are expensive to maintain. Electric GT's System(s) for... ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/5 "2022-12-20T15:46:46Z")
[Arnold Schwarzenegger’s dream of an electric Hummer H1 comes true thanks to Kreisel (motorauthority.com)](https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1112825_arnold-schwarzeneggers-dream-of-an-electric-hummer-h1-comes-true-thanks-to-kreisel) ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/6 "2022-12-20T16:32:23Z")
If you pull the whole drive train out and replace it with electrics, is it still a classic car? Or is it just a novelty one off? Not a classic anymore in my book. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/7 "2022-12-20T16:48:01Z")
So for less than $70,000 this guy has the ultimate ‘sleeper’. I approve. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 5:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/8 "2022-12-20T17:03:23Z")
> [@PvtPublic](#): > > If you pull the whole drive train out and replace it with electrics, is it still a classic car? Or is it just a novelty one off? Not a classic anymore in my book. The ultimate Retro-Mod, ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2022, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/9 "2022-12-20T23:25:06Z")
Hot Rod magazine has been running a series of articles on this topic. 57 Chevy. > **[Hot Rod Magazine's Iconic '57 Chevy Is Getting an EV Engine Swap for SEMA](https://www.autoevolution.com/news/hot-rod-magazine-s-iconic-57-chevy-is-getting-an-ev-engine-swap-for-sema-173131.html)** > > Building a modern hot rod requires thinking outside of the box. That's exactly why the folks at Hot Rod Magazine were willing to yank out a big supe... ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/10 "2022-12-21T01:36:56Z")
Haven’t read HR since the mid seventies, but when 14 I subscribed and followed the first few years of Project X, BTW, it is a 210 not a Belair, the silver is paint, not an aluminum insert. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 2:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/11 "2022-12-21T02:21:21Z")
A few years ago I saw a Porsche 911 with an EV conversion. I recognized the Curtis Sep-ex forklift controller undrr the rear deck. He had lead acid batteries for power. Likely a short range no-AC car but it was well done. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 5:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/12 "2022-12-21T05:49:12Z")
Motor trend network has run season 1 of vintage voltage, uk show of conversions done to classics, ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/13 "2022-12-21T13:18:29Z")
Something else to add to my “When I win the Powerball” list. Convert a MGA or MGTD to EV. ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/14 "2022-12-21T21:57:00Z")
I saw an article a few months back about a shop doing EV conversions on Bugeye Sprites which left me wondering what you’d have to do to accomodate the heavy batteries in a very light car and where you’d put them? Seems like by the time you strenghten the chassis and beef up the suspension and brakes all you’ve got left is the body shell and it will never handle like the original. Reminds me of the FiberFab Beetle to MGTD body conversions but at least they were fairly cheap. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/15 "2022-12-21T22:41:05Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > “When I win the Powerball” list. No need for me to wait for a Powerball windfall. I was informed by telephone message on my answering machine over the weekend that I am a grand-prize winner in the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes. All I have to do now is to call them back and tell them my bank account information so they can deduct the taxes, then they will deposit my winnings, $2.4 M, into my account ..hmmm??? … publisher’s clearing house sweepstakes? I don’t recall hearing anything about that since the Tonight Show w/Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon ended in the early 90’s … hmmm … maybe I ought to think on this a bit before providing my bank account info … !!! lol .. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/16 "2022-12-21T23:04:08Z")
Top gear had a triumph spitfire powered woth a bmw i3 battery in a test with amother host driving a Subaru Brat with tesla power, the triymph didnt handle all that well but both had better range than tthe Nissan Leaf wirh the full tuner bodykit and maybe 70mi usable range. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 11:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/17 "2022-12-21T23:27:57Z")
When I worked at a gas station in the 60s, one of our regulars was rebuilding the engine in his Bugeye, stopped by the station with the bare engine block, I could lift it, probably less than 50 pounds. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/18 "2022-12-21T23:29:00Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > I was informed by telephone message on my answering machine over the weekend that I am a grand-prize winner in the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes. All I have to do now is to call them back and tell them my bank account information so they can deduct the taxes, then they will deposit my winnings, $2.4 M, into my account No, that’s **not** possible because I received an identical message from them a few weeks ago. Surely this couldn’t be a scam, because I already provided my banking and Social Security numbers to them. 😉 Would an anonymous source try to scam me in relation to a sweepstakes that I had **not** entered? No, of course not! 😏 ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/19 "2022-12-21T23:32:04Z")
I’ll be a might-upset if you get my winnings … lol … ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2022, 11:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032/20 "2022-12-21T23:33:09Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > I’ll be a might-upset if you get my winnings Trust me… NOBODY is going to get those supposed “winnings”. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/converting-classics-to-evs/188032.md?page=2)