I'm not sure where to put this one, but.... There are heaps of new (Mostly Chinese) electric/hybrid cars getting sold everywhere at the moment. I reckon that they will mostly end up at your local pick-a part within the next few years, some with low mileage. I have been thinking of buying a "late model" car to use as a daily driver (mine at the moment is 1960) , but everything is a stupid ugly electric or hybrid poop-box. My idea was this- buy a late model vehicle which has died an early death because of it's electronic brain box or magic shift 9 speed auto and replace the running gear with a standard in-line 6 or V8, with a basic transmission and normal rear axle. Remove all the dopey electronics , screens and airbags, and just have a mechanical speedo and gauges, dual circuit braking system, etc. Single or dual barrel carb, all the stuff you would find on say, a 1965 Chevy. I know someone in the U.S has put a V8 into a Tesla, but I wonder if anyone has done this? Sort of a "reverse" hot rod.
The big problem you will have is with registration. Being a late model vehicle it would have to have ALL of the ADR required safety and emissions equipment in place and operational. Much easier to do a car that doesn't have to meet these requirements. i.e. an old car.
Not do-able as a registerable vehicle. Here in Australia, any engine you use would have to be of the same year or newer. The only way you could do it would be as an ICV (independently constructed vehicle) which would need to comply with all ADR's current at the time of manufacture. For what this would cost you could make your old 1960 car like brand new, probably many times over.
Spend the money on the 1960 car. Going by your profile I think it might be an FB Holden sedan..... the Aussie '57 chev.
Run Forrest run!!! Just buy a Prius C as a daily driver and keep your old car for a Toy. [these things will do 6-700,000 kms reliably] These are the sort of cars you own, instead of the car owning you!! Then get a part time job flipping burgers and save that $$$ you earn to finance your old toys You will make more from the hours spent at a part time job than the hours spent trying to modify a late model s***box [which will end in tears]
Let's just say it will "only be used on the farm", so legalities won't enter into it. All that electronic rubbish will end up in the trash. The idea is to only have the bare minimum needed to operate a "normal" engine. EG, like a wiring loom from a '56 Ford or similar basic car. If an early Chevy can be fitted with an independent front end, I'm sure it can be done to anything. "Making stuff fit" is what it's all about, and we've been doing that for years. I reckon you could pick up one of these dead modern cars cheap, especially if it's European or Chinese.
It does work the other way though. People are paying big money to have their old cl***ic car completely converted to electric which can then be re-registered.
Tragic. Reducing a cl***ic to its surface appearance, to a look or pose applied to what in effect becomes a completely different vehicle. And the "at least they can be driven" argument holds no more water than flaying your loved ones and having some contract-paid corporate lackey wear their skin prolongs their life. Deeply disturbing image, yes, but that's the point.
It's an interesting thought experiment as there a couple of new car and truck body styles I like the look of but I couldn't live with the modern drive trains (automatics,hybrid or electric) but when all is said and done it wouldn't be worth the effort unless it's something that really grabbed me. Phil
Here in Florida I've heard of all kinds of EV conversions using Nissan, Tesla, and GM stuff, but converting an EV to gasoline is unusual. I'm not sure it's worth the effort. Every system on the car is integrated with the others. Separating steering, braking, HVAC, instruments, even power seats and mirrors will be daunting task.
My vision has been a little different. Always kinda wanted an 80s Corvette. Until I look under the hood. Thought of finding one with a ruined engine, stripping all that stuff out and going back with a carburated SBC, etc., etc.
Neil Youngs' 59 Lincoln https://www.hemmings.com/stories/rebuilding-neil-youngs-lincvolt/ https://www.hemmings.com/stories/rebuilding-neil-youngs-lincvolt/
I don't think my "attention span" of car ownership could justify an electric car conversion. People get obsessed with efficiency of electric cars /motors when compared to the thermal efficiency of an internal combustion engine. But with the wastage of a gasoline engine , we need to factor in the cost of gasoline [which has a ****load of BTU's for the low price] Then we start "virtue signaling" about the environment blah blah blah! Most electric cars are more polluting during the manufacturing process and "less in the running" [except electricity generation pollution in the next county] Whereas an old pre-smog cl***ic car has long since paid it's dues. If we want to be an environmentalists we should promote recycling by rebuilding / recycling cl***ic cars instead of contributing to pollution by buying new.
Hmmmmm....... a V8 Prius. That could be worth it just for the feathers it would ruffle in the 'greenie' community.
What about a V2 Prius ? Here's a Harley Evo powered Prius maybe this is along the lines that @36roadster is thinking with an electric car
If you can think it, it's likely been done. World’s First V8-Swapped Tesla Model S Is Officially on the Road
a few years ago a fellow saw my coupe parked at the beach and asked if he could take some measurements as he wanted to build one with electric motor, he has built a number of sports cars all EV so he told me ??
My position exactly. There are moreover industrial-economics scale factors which are standardly omitted from the debate. I won't go into that now. I've long wanted to see a Prius done as a straight-axle g***er or '70s street freak, complete with towering blower or tunnel ram.
There have been a number of moderns converted to ICE, not super backdated like you want. I ask what is the point? Modern looks without modern safety and features. I'm not fan of all the recent bells and whistles, but stripping them out and having a basic rig when you can just get a basic rig that meets your desires is the same or less time/money. Swap drivetrain. All of them do not have the engine and drive tunnel. The battery area needs major work. Remove wiring and install basics. Okay, you simplify, but that is a huge amount of work. Are you going with crank windows (big engineering) or just a strap? Old headlights? No HVAC? Probably lighten the thing between these 2 steeps by a couple thousand pounds. Now the suspension needs re calibrating.
What would look really great would be a Tesla with a Roots type Supercharger sticking out of the hood............ I mean, if someones going to do it, they shouldn't hide it......make it noticeable. All the other electric car drivers (and eco-nuts) would constantly be giving you the finger and cursing you. They would develop TDS..........Tesla Derangement Syndrome. OR, now that I think about it, maybe thats what all of us hot rodders have ?
I have quite a few friends with Rivian pickups and SUVs, they love them and the vehicles appear to be very dependable and capable. I think many people on here would benefit greatly by owning a Rivian and they are priced very reasonably, and you get a tax benefit in most states if you buy one new from a dealer. Far better looking than their Tesla compe***ors and built in the US! On a non-related note, the Rivian stock is up to $21.22 on the NYSE. I bought the IPO at $69, bought it again at $25 and again at $10.45 a year ago. I figure I need to hit $32ish to break even.
My budget does not consider them reasonable. https://www.cargurus.com/research/price-trends/Rivian-m243 I also dislike the entire thing being a unibody, so if the side gets smacked, it's a huge repair or total. I am looking at the Slate, but for now it's still in process and I doubt they will meet the 'hoped for' pricing. It's still not a long range or tow vehicle, so it won't replace my truck. Check Aging Wheels for more.
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