Electric conversions of classics

[dieselnutjob]

There was an article in the news today

 

https://news.sky.com/story/electric-version-of-jaguars-classic-e-type-to-go-into-production-11480561

 

saying that Jaguar will convert any E type to electric.

 

The thing is that if they can do an E type then I bet that they can do just about any classic Jag.

 

Obviously this will be horribly expensive now but maybe with time kits will become available and maybe something like a mk3 XJ might even be a viable conversion.

 

I think that longer term this is great news for classic car owners. Maybe a simple 70s classic with no electronics is easier to convert than a modern complicated car as there are no existing electronics that you have to integrate with.

[Stinkwheel]

Oh Gawd, I hope this doesn't catch on.

 

Am I alone in detesting electric cars?  I like internal combustion, its just more alive. that matters to me, not how fast it will accelerate or how far it can go on a charge, that's all soul-less. I want my vehicles to literally breath.

[Guest Hooli]

Oh Gawd, I hope this doesn't catch on.

 

Am I alone in detesting electric cars?  I like internal combustion, its just more alive. that matters to me, not how fast it will accelerate or how far it can go on a charge, that's all soul-less. I want my vehicles to literally breath.

 

 

That!

 

It's wrong, just wrong. It's destroying the history & character of the car that makes people want them to start with.

[dieselnutjob]

I agree, however I can see petrol cars being banned from big cities twenty years down the road and this will be a solution.

[sierraman]

What on earths the point of the point of that. Part of the appeal of an old E type is the smell of it burning oil, the noise it makes when it ticks over or the growl as it accelerates out of a junction when it’s used in anger. Who wants to silently slip about in one saving the environment? You wouldn’t take one into to town centre anyway, the heavy clutch and no PAS would be hell.

 

I’d honestly sooner see one banger raced.

[Bradders59]

Wot they said ^ 

[Stinkwheel]

I agree, however I can see petrol cars being banned from big cities twenty years down the road and this will be a solution.

You will always be allowed to use the 'historic' or 'classic' category cars in towns. 

[Datsuncog]

A fella I know oversaw an electric DeLorean DMC-12 build a couple of years back; it was a student project piece for Queen's University's School of Electrical Engineering.

 

 

 

The project definitely wasn't* conceived so that a total Back To The Future film nut effectively got his employer to buy him a DeLorean to play with. No, sirree. Absolutely not.

 

 

The shell and other bits were sourced from MrsDC's uncle, as it happens.

 

 

Northern Ireland: the world's biggest village.

[loserone]

I think it's great. I think electric cars are much more usable and this is an excellent way of making older cars more relevant. I don't think all cars should be converted, but if someone wants to, why not?

 

Love some of the conversions by 'electric classic cars'..

[SierraMikeHotel]

Depends on the car. It would be a shame to do it to a Jag or any other sports car that has a charismatic engine, but for regular everyday stuff it would be brilliant.

 

I would love, love, love an electric BX. The essential character of the car wouldn't be lost but it would have cheaper running costs and be suitable everyday 21st century transport.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

The car/shitter itself may be cheap. The current cost of converting it to electric won't be.

 

Electric Classic Cars' work is impressive, but you won't see much change out of twenty grand for a conversion. Not really matching the ethos of Autoshite.

[dieselnutjob]

You will always be allowed to use the 'historic' or 'classic' category cars in towns. 

 

It might not be an issue in my lifetime, but I can see my kids or grand kids struggling to buy petrol at all.  It it's only a few classics left that use it then it might not be easy to come by.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

You will always be allowed to use the 'historic' or 'classic' category cars in towns.

But not "that London", obviously. On the other hand, central London currently lifts congestion restrictions at weekends, so we can still come in and pollute the place two days a week.

[Lacquer Peel]

I saw a video of the electric E-type prototype, they've made it so it's easy to revert to fossil fuel if you wanted.

 

Surely the point of something like an E-type is the way it looks, not its motive power. I'd have one with a VM diesel, maybe I'm a philistine.

[sierraman]

Yeah I’d go for one with a Perkins Phaser. Or a Leyland 510.

[captain_70s]

I can think of few things missing the point of an old car quite as much as fitting a modern drivetrain...

[chadders]

That!

 

It's wrong, just wrong. It's destroying the history & character of the car that makes people want them to start with.

 

To me part of the character of old cars is the sound and the smell.

 

You'd lose both for a probably negligible saving in fuel costs and a mahoosive conversion bill.

 

I'd much rather have to drive a car, bearing in mind how the power is delivered, than just planting my foot to the floor as the torque is delivered from zero revs.

[Pillock]

It's only an E Type. Convert them to electric, hydrogen, bean cans.... Whatever.

 

As for other classics, go for it. It'll never be all of them, the classic car shows will still be full of original examples but it's an interesting way to keep an old car relevant.

[loserone]

A really simple drivetrain, that still allows you to enjoy the comfort, visibility and style of an older car. Seems like a win to me.

[Kringle]

Oh Gawd, I hope this doesn't catch on.

 

Am I alone in detesting electric cars? I like internal combustion, its just more alive. that matters to me, not how fast it will accelerate or how far it can go on a charge, that's all soul-less. I want my vehicles to literally breath.

This, perfect for convenience like a microwave or kettle. But classics aren't for convenience, that's what an Auris hybrid is for.

 

It's like taking an LMS Princess Royal and converting it to electric traction.

Soul destroying and can no longer be classed as a steam engine.

[somewhatfoolish]

Where the chod had a mediocre drive train or parts are unobtainium it's almost a sensible choice; NSU Ro80, Cit CX + DS, etc.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Where the chod had a mediocre drive train or parts are unobtainium it's almost a sensible choice; NSU Ro80, Cit CX + DS, etc.

Funny how he picks the cars I've either had or currently have.....

 

NSU Ro80 can run on Mazda 12A or 13B, so parts not difficult. DS is very well catered for these days. CX....hmmm....

[dieselnutjob]

NSU Ro80 can run on Mazda 12A or 13B, so parts not difficult.

 

I didn't know this.

 

Learning this alone has made it worth posting the topic.  So how hard a conversion is it?

[SierraMikeHotel]

The engine was the only disappointing thing about my old CX, it would have been really futuristic otherwise! It would have been brilliant with an electric drivetrain rather than an old-tech (even for the time) lump. I've heard the same said about the DS, although I've never driven one.

[angle]

But not "that London", obviously. On the other hand, central London currently lifts congestion restrictions at weekends, so we can still come in and pollute the place two days a week.

Anything on classic tax will be ULEZ exempt, as long as you're not using it commercially.

[John F]

Yuck.

 

It'd be like running a 1960s Sophia Loren with modern Katie Price running gear. Just no.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

I didn't know this.

You do now! The one I owned had a Mazda 13B and a Dellorto carb. Engine bolted to a simple converter plate which itself bolted to the gearbox. Fun to drive, because 1308cc = 2.6litres. Really regret selling it.

 

The engine was the only disappointing thing about my old CX, it would have been really futuristic otherwise! It would have been brilliant with an electric drivetrain rather than an old-tech (even for the time) lump. I've heard the same said about the DS, although I've never driven one.

 

A couple of crazy Dutchmen(?) have converted a DS and a CX to electric. Results are on YouTube.

[Lacquer Peel]

Yuck.

 

It'd be like running a 1960s Sophia Loren with modern Katie Price running gear. Just no.

I didn't realise Katie Price was quiet and effortless.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

I didn't realise Katie Price was quiet and effortless.

She is now that she's short of money....

[MorrisItalSLX]

I’d be tempted to convert my SIII XJ to electric.

 

Mainly because it is sitting in the garage with OMGHGF at the moment awaiting an engine rebuild.

 

I would miss the creamy smoothness of the XK under the bonnet, but I certainly would not miss the creamy oil and petrol bills!