Electric Triumph Vitesse Project

[@bruceyoung1343]

Nice lil red sports car. There I said it

[@lordleonusa]

The original engine for that Mk.2 Vitesse was 104bhp, the figure of 70bhp you quoted was for the earlier 1600cc engined version

[@danielcape1]

Thank you. I came to say this 👍🏻

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks for the correction 👍👍

[@KentBuchla]

Pair o’ monsters.

[@SHOdown13]

Front of that car reminds me of a 1959 Buick Invicta with the canted headlamps and fenders

[@galadrhim1]

I had a '59 Herald when I was in High School! Ah, the memories! Very much like the Vitesse.

[@robsmith1a]

I love an old Triumph, VWs have never really done it for me. Each to his or her own.

[@harrycopeland8322]

I learned to drive in a Herald in Australia. It was unregistered and a bit of a dirt track bush basher. Good memories

[@captarmour]

this is a beautiful little car! great videos about fantastic work

[@NicoSteinacker]

Waiting for the smart roadster kit. You‘d nail it for sure ❤

[@4literv6]

What about a pontiac solstice or Saturn sky ev conversion kit? Tens of thousands we're made between them on the same chassis. It's a fairly light modern 2dr vert and roadster chassis. With several already converted to ev. A well done kit there by ecc, using a single model 3/y motor&decent sized pack around 50kwhs could sell hundreds as elktromods become more popular. Plus it's got crumple zones, air bags&traction control as standard. And an aftermarket exists for parts to. 🤔

[@briertonp]

I’ve been thinking the same for a while. I’ve a Smart Roadster Coupe that would be fantastic as an electric vehicle.

[@demej00]

I briefly had a 1962(?) Triumph Vitesse. Bought two junkers and put them together into a running vehicle but then literally got run out of Abilene by the Sheriff and had to abandon the car. Loved it for a few months.

[@aqnaqnaqn]

Ural is another company that (used to) make motorcycles (Bimmer Boxer clones) and trucks.

[@markwellington1254]

Beautiful car ! Great videoand conversion!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks!

[@ianrobertwhinnett158]

Stag! Your not old enough to see the beauty of the Stag!😅

[@cjdunne1713]

I love your work, and your enthusiasm!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MrGMawson2438]

Great old Triumph Vitesse

[@huwdavies6650]

Peugeot also made motorbikes, bicycle and grinders (salt, pepper, coffee). They still do. They also made sowing machines and farming implements.

[@spudproductions7606]

Good one. 👍😀

[@MrSpiraldive]

Bond and Amphicar on same chassis

[@TernaryTrout]

I was looking at an NSU RO80 the other day and it struck me that it would make for an awesome conversion....

[@rodden1953]

i remember they Wankel engines didnt last long and the were selling for little money and people were replacing the engine with a Ford v6

[@briertonp]

I worked with NSU at the time. The main issue we found was owners over revving the engine, as the higher the revs, the quieter it got, until it didn’t… Many people didn’t realise they weren’t in top gear on the motorway, as it wasn’t in the usual place on the gate (where 5th gear ended up many years later). I know of at least 3 owners who admitted to that… As for the Ford engine conversions, V4 or V6, both were terrible, as the engine was cast iron and made the car handle like a rice pudding!!

[@gardenrailroading]

Beautiful!

[@joeg3950]

It’s a cool conversion. A spot-on restoration! I’d love to do an electric conversion of a 1969 Fiat 850 Spyder. However, everyone of those that I’ve seen have lots of rot. Great job guys on another supreme conversion!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍👍

[@marcosmith6613]

Stunning example!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

It really is!

[@mattsimon931]

Really is interesting to see how to are able to create these different configurations to fit each make and model.

[@tombley5760]

Any chance of a Countach vid?

[@davidrice7414]

I really enjoy the videos, I’ve learned more about electric cars watching your channel than anywhere else. Thank you

[@spudproductions7606]

Great to hear, that was one of the reasons for starting the channel. 👍😀

[@martinrockport2485]

BMW, KTM, Honda and Ariel are the first car/bike manufacturers that come to mind... probably lots more...

[@johnburton7998]

Absolutely bloody gorgeous. One of my favs so far. Great to see some of the British classics warmed up.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍👍

[@TheSaabClinicUK]

Wow that is a lovely car, wish my Dad was still around so i could show him that. He had a Vitesse that he put a 2.5 Pi engine into, so 150bhp. That was a quick car in its day and sounded lovely too.

[@itchywitchy]

Lovely, my parents had a Vitesse when I was little and I've always wanted one; an electric Vitesse will live up to its name.

[@Triumphliefhebber]

Regarding your questions during the video:, the engine mount of the Triumph Vitesse, GT6, Herald and spitfire are all mounted to the front suspension turrets, connected with 2 bolts on either side of a inner vertical flange of these turrets. There your design would fit all if you make use of this position. However there is a slight difference between the gearbox mounting of the 4-cylinder (heralds and spitfires) and 6-cylinder (Vitesse and GT6) as the startermotor is on fitted on the other side meaning the belhousing of the gearbox has a different shape. The bond equipe and several kit cars have the same setup as they used the same triumph chassis and mechanical setup.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Good info. Thanks 👍

[@michaelkent7306]

Use the NACS socket in the fuel cap hole with an adapter for the UK charger network

[@nunofernandes4501]

What a beauty!!!!

[@spudproductions7606]

Sure is 👍😀

[@EdWelch100]

Nearly bought one many year's ago. That was a 1600. Lovely little car.

[@Fintoman]

I perfect candidate for an electric motor conversion. I had a Mk1 Vitesse many, many years ago. I'm going to follow this conversion with great interest . Good luck.

[@MrGMawson2438]

Great video guys

[@pauljacques2278]

Love the engineering and thought that goes into these conversions. Still trying to get my head around a Vitesse or GT6 WITHOUT that beautiful straight 6 engine noise. Same applies to the Stag. Beautiful V8 burble. Head says 100% yes....heart and soul still not convinced at all. There must be another way to be clean and keep the soul intact. All that said, brilliant engineering.

[@johndavies6246]

A little interesting unrelated snippet/fact - the Heralds used to have a rubber trim on the bumpers. These would often go missing. Some unscrupulous roller skaters would relieve the owner of the rubber strips and use them as a 'front brake' on their skates when out on the road. The soft rubber pad that was effective on the roller rinks wooden floor, was useless on tarmac, so when going out on the road, a quick swap was done - two nuts and washers was all that was needed. The single bolt 'dance' brake was different to the twin bolt speed skaters brake. All modern brakes seem to be of the single bolt design, but back in the 60's/70's the twin bolt versions were bolted directly to the baseplate.

[@spudproductions7606]

Every days a school day 👍👍

[@MK_ultra_]

Really glad that you guys are doing more FR cars... would like to see more FF too.

[@Rovinman]

I hope that the Engine bay, ALWAYS looks that good, and NEVER gets all Greased up like the ICE versions do ! GREAT job guys ! And a BEAUTIFUL initial restoration ! You could see it was a good one from the moment you introduced it ! Love it !

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@Mrcurlywhirly]

That pretty little Vitesse reminds me so much of my mothers old Triumph Herald - which was supposedly good for 75-80MPH flat out, though last seen billowing smoke into the cabin via the glovebox! Quickest exit I have ever made from a passenger seat, cute little car RIP...

[@zenzen9131]

Can't wait to see how this comes out !

[@Ollyctric]

If it were me, I'd have the estate and have the stance adjusted accordingly.

[@johnnyforeigner11]

My Vitesse had an overdrive switch on third and fourth gears to reduce the amount of gear changing.

[@srichgtr]

Mine did as well. Brilliant invention.

[@locknut5382]

A number of car manufacturers made trucks, buses, military vehicles, motorcycles, and even bicycles, through the decades. (Some also made aircraft and aircraft engines, such as Wright, FIAT, Mitsubishi, Kawasaki, Moskvitch, Bristol, Messerschmitt, Ford, Kawasaki and Daimler Benz.) Raleigh, Wolseley, Coventry Eagle, Humber, BMW, Rover, NSU, Triumph, New Hudson, Honda, Suzuki, Singer, Yamaha and Villiers are just a few of the many which come to mind. And Alvis made cars and military vehicles.

[@gordonnesbitt2407]

Your the Picasso of the electric conversion wow i am blown away with this one very well done to you and the lads 👏

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍👍😀😀

[@MattTester]

Another point for keeping the gearbox that wasn't mentioned is the speedo drive often comes from the gearbox in old sports cars. Yes it's possible to use an inductive pickup and use a motor to drive the analogue speedo, but it's a lot of work. You also missed of what I would argue is the best Triumph and the king of the 'camping holiday' ragtops, the TR6.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Good points 👍

[@jasonduram8823]

DKW made wonderful cars and motorcycles. Growing up with dkw (and Auto Union) cars and a dkw moped, they hold a fond place in my ❤. Keep making the fun, informative videos!

[@spudproductions7606]

We sure will. 👍😀

[@douglaskinloch6272]

I love these conversions, have you ever done a Hillman Imp?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Not yet. 👍

[@georgedaville4662]

I personally have a soft spot for Triumph Motors, especially the Vitesse. Unbelievable restoration as you say, well done for keeping the interior totally original. The owner will be absolutely delighted with this car once your guys have performed their magic😎🇬🇧❤️

[@miguelangelsimonfernandez5498]

The Vespa (Piaggio) group did make cars (besides scooters) for a short period of time, the Vespa 400.

[@Acamperfull]

That right and so did Innocenti Lambretta Scooters & the classic Mini car under license, NSU made scooters, motorbikes an cars, Heinkel, Zündapp and BMW made scooters/motorcycles and (micro) cars and there must be many more.

[@jps30]

I'll be watching this, need to do something with a Spitfire. Tim has a nice looking Healey. My father has had a BJ8 since the 80's he's just restored to sell. Mixed feelings about letting that go.

[@spudproductions7606]

Make him an offer 👍👍👍😀😀😀😎

[@paulbrowne5049]

You guys fill me with optimism for the future. If you can get the price of the conversion kits down to a reasonable level you'll have a sure fire hit on your hands. I've owned 3 spitfires and one stag and I'd have loved to do an ev conversion on them.

[@noah786]

How about a custom adapter to fit a standard charge plug on the fuel fill opening?

[@davidsonkeith8465]

9:37 re ideas for where to put the charge port (and @ John T.), pretty sure my dad's Ford Zephyr had the fuel filler behind the rear number plate (was a hinge drop down)

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yep. Like we did on the Syncro. 😎👍

[@liamjackson6930]

Rover also used to make bikes until the mid 1920's

[@spudproductions7606]

I never knew that one 👍👍

[@liamjackson6930]

@@spudproductions7606 I Didn't know it either until a couple of years ago when I went to the Heritage Museum at Gaydon and they had one there on display

[@simonnewbury7904]

The standard transmission on the Vitesse was frail, you made no mention if it has an overdrive fitted. It is possible to upgrade the gearbox with TR7 and Dolomite parts that will help, but the diff carriers are prone to breaking. Fitting a Quaife carrier will fix that, the rotoflex drive doughnuts will suffer with 120 bhp, there is a CV joint upgrade that will be better. I like the idea of a generic kit, as said the Herald spawned the GT6, Vitesse, Spitfire not forgetting the Amphicar. My personal thoughts would be to fit the Hyper 9 where the gearbox is this would remove the gearbox/ clutch / overdrive weakness and provide more room for batteries. I have a saloon MK2 Vitesse and have relocated the filler to the upper deck n/s Good luck with the project. Simon

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Good info. Thanks

[@jamesfromwellington]

I'd be very keen to know more about how you are driving the rev counter / info on a product I could buy from you.

[@deltajohnny]

What a great conversion company you are! 👏👏👏

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@thomasalbrecht5914]

As a former Vitesse owner, I am blown away by this project. Indeed, the separate chassis family that developed from the Herald is certainly an interesting subject for a building block development, although the Spitfire and GT6 bonnet may be a bit of a challenge for fitting the battery box. Would it be possible to fix a more compact engine in the gearbox/clutch bell housing space? It would also probably help to lower the centre of gravity. Maybe you could work with specialist Canley Classics, who have a range of new parts machined from alloy for these cars, or with the Triumph Sports Six Club (TSSC). By the way, the original output of the straight six was 70 kW (95 hp), although the MkII version (like this car, the important difference being a rear axle that actually provides something like road holding) churned out 104 hp, thanks to a few tweaks to the cylinder head internals.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks for the info. 👍👍😀😀

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Good info. Thanks. My thinking with the lower bonnets of the Spitfire and GT6 would be to swap from the front and rear battery boxes around. So the shallower box from the rear sits in the engine bay on the Spitfire and GT6. We’re also developing a gear reduction unit to replace the original gearbox to enable us to shift the motor back into the transmission tunnel which should allow us to drop the front battery box some, so we may not need to go with the swapsy plan. 👍

[@jcc777]

BMW springs to mind.

[@brentbitter5209]

Beautiful resto! Still waiting for that modified Fiat 500 kit to fit a 77 Fiat 124 Spyder 😊

[@aliso8017]

BMW also does cars and bikes :-) Oh and seeing that Countach body up there in the background is killing me!!! Looking forward so much to seeing it EVed ...

[@jasonblair4057]

I like those older classic cars as they had more style over efficiency. This looks like a very good conversation.

[@alannock1358]

Or conversion.

[@thekussiesocial551]

Superb. I still run my Herald 1200 (my first car that I've managed to hold onto all these years) and my son has a Spitfire project car. Both would be ripe for a conversion. Many of these Triumphs will have been modded over the years so your generic/modular approach sounds great. I’ll be following this with interest.

[@adoreslaurel]

I have a funny feeling that the first time the Triumph 6 got into that smaller body that it dropped to being 1750 CC.

[@derekjtaylor]

Hoping to see a TR-7 conversion some day.

[@markwilliamson9027]

Another great video Is there any room under the rear seat for additional battery packs if more range required?

[@bobeden5027]

I had an early one, very nippy. I eventually used the chassis and parts to build a JC Midge kit car.

[@regoso8580]

Would love to see a C3 Corvette 1968-1982 alot of chassis so any kit would apply to a whole lot of them.

[@dfishpool7052]

Very interesting - what a beautiful looking car - and yes, rather quirky British car engineering - the science of ergonmomics must have been in its infancy when they designed the dash controls and switches! Am looking forward to seeing the final state of the conversion. Thank you.

[@vourkosdude]

bmw, peugeot, honda, suzuki, ariel, DKW, Lamborghini, Maserati, NSU, Opel, Puch, Sunbeam, Triumph are some that offered motorcycles at some point.

[@koenhenckaerts5623]

and VW owns Ducati!!!

[@MrGMawson2438]

Afternoon guys

[@54mgtf22]

Hey Richard, love your work 👍

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Hey, thanks

[@lesliemeehan3724]

I like to see the charge socket behind rear number plate or behind the front grill

[@mollyfilms]

I’ve just finished a MK2 Spitfire in white with red interior and this is exactly what I was looking for. Suspect it’s a huge cost though so may wait until things drop a little.

[@TernaryTrout]

To those commenting on the ride height, the plan is to enter it as an electric gasser in drag events ! :)

[@briertonp]

🤣🤣🤣

[@dannycalley7777]

TT ....................a straight axle would make it Proper ???.........from the States

[@lawrencesaville3345]

Be interested in more details as soon as a Spitfire conversion kit is available please. My Mk3 is 'mid resto' (for several years now...) and I've been waiting on a mainstream EVconversion option - looking forward to the Vitesse completion.

[@JimWattsHereNow]

Beautiful, be cool to see it driving and the result performance wise.

[@johnt.848]

One idea for the charge point is hidden behind a tail light. Kindigit Design has made a few cars where the tail light pops out then swings away on a hinge mechanism.

[@vassy3533]

Not a classic car (yet), but would happily convert my MK6 Fiesta if something was available for it! Think this should be the way forward for a lot of older cars, rather than scrapping and building an entirely new car. Less environmental impact.

[@redprince3158]

I used to work at a Triumph agency and I service these vehicles back in the 60s this vitesse is sitting a little bit to high it has +camber . Very nice car 😊

[@spudproductions7606]

Did you watch the full video? We explained why the camber is off. 👍😀

[@thomaslees8]

Anyway the batteries can be mounted below the floor ? As there is some room under there

[@tesla-spectre]

Beautifully done and one of the very few where it makes no sense to put in a frunk (otherwise one would get a heart attack every time opening it for fear of scratching it ) 😂🎉

[@muskerp]

Holy crap, I have a couple of Bond Equipes which are a fibreglass body over the vitesse 2ltr running gear. I am really interested to know how this goes and the cost because while I love the straight 6 burble at idle and the torquey roar on acceleration it would be interesting to see if there is a green future for these classics (maybe I could change one to electric and get a specially adapted audio system to make the brrmm brrmm noise).

[@alanwoollett2628]

My first car was a Vitesse 6 (1.6 litre 6 cylinder) The turning circle was brilliant but I had to change the steering plastic bushes every year.

[@markchapman8151]

As a classic car enthusiast, and having owned a couple of Vitesses, many years ago, I cannot see the point in converting one of these to battery power. Half of the enjoyment of the Triumph Vitesse is the sound and feel of that lovely straight 6 cylinder engine. Also, how does it affect the MOT test, and is it set up so that it be converted back to running on an engine again? Surely it would have been better to convert a humble 4 cylinder Herald or Spitfire?

[@steviecuz2396]

Great work you guys, I’m in the middle of the restoration of an MGB Roadster, (see KZbin) and I was wondering if you had any ideas on converting one of these to an EV, or maybe there’s a kit somewhere out there, before I waste time with the engine and gearbox, regards Steve.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

We did an episode on a MG Midget a while back. You could check that out to see how we did that one. 👍

[@grantclinch2496]

When will the Radial flux motors become available ??

[@grantrisdon7380]

What modifications will be done to the transmission and differential. The original diff had issues with the low torque of the 6 cylinder. The Hyper9 may have too much torque for that drivetrain?

[@MeyerWerner]

So nice 😍😎

[@spudproductions7606]

Cool👍😀

[@williamarmstrong7199]

I think the engine is identical to what was put into the TR6 and the stag?

[@kevanbygate9485]

Love these cars had two first mk 1 2litre which I rolled due to rear wheel tuck , then mk 2 with electric overdrive which was amazing.

[@robj5780]

What is the grey car shell sitting behind the Triumph on the shelf?

[@Sarge084]

If that's a classic car then I must be a classic human!

[@VitesseEFI]

That looks like a very nicely restored Vitesse. As a long time Vitesse / GT6 owner modifier I'm watching this with interest, especially since I looked quite seriously into doing similar when I restored my GT6 a few years ago. Cost was a serious barrier, and the desire for a bit more than 100 mile range didn't help. I was also looking at the Hyper 9, but by my reckoning the available torque was going to make short work of the Triumph gearbox, which even on the 6 cylinder cars is not noted for being robust. The earlier 4 cylinder cars (Herald / Spitfire 1 - 3) are worse. I was thinking of going direct drive and sitting the motor as far back as possible, leaving more room up front for batteries etc and saving another 25kgs or so. As regards interchangeablity between the "small chassis" models, apart from a few very early cars, the engines all mount in the same place, to the front of the suspension turrets, but on the 4 cylinder cars the shorter engine means that the bell housing joint is a bit (25 - 30mm) further forward. Not also that the Spitfire engine bay is longer but shallower at the front corners For charging point, consider the Spitfire solution which is a flip cap mounted in the middle of the deck between hood and boot aperture (Spitfire tank is located where your battery box is). Oh, and you need to come up with a sound track to match the original 6 cylinder engine which makes a very pleasant noise and helps drown out the rattles and creaks that these cars always have....

[@stumac869]

Wonder if it would be possible to mount the motor onto an overdrive unit less the gearbox. That would give two gears (forward) and allow the use of the original prop but mount the motor where the gearbox sat?

[@Mike_Costello]

BMW makes cars and motorbikes. I also don't understand why you guys haven't had an MGB or MGA in there yet. I thought they were more prolific as a popular classic. Certainly are here in Australia.

[@spudproductions7606]

MGBs definitely are but we’ve not had one to convert yet. An MG midget was through for conversion a year or so back. 👍😀

[@IAmSoMuchBetterThanYou]

IV saw an MG EV conversion on KZbin a while ago. Of course all the "purists" got upset. I wonder how many of them would be prepared to bring a basket case MG back to life in its original form. Maybe 1 percent? Rhetorical question. Anyway, here's that Jonny Smith showing off an MGB EV kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWSunpZ3hJqLo8U

[@robeigner4390]

Tim mentioned his Healey. I wanted to get a used BJ8 in the mid '70s when they were available for under $5K. Now a restored one costs in the $90-$100K+ range. I still have a Moss Motors parts catalog from 2002 (issue #2, great shape). With it's 6cyl monster I could see you putting just about everything in the "engine" bay. Of course, I doubt anyone with one of these restored cars would dare do a conversion but it would be fun (and scary) to drive as an EV.

[@spudproductions7606]

You never know ⚡️⚡️⚡️👍👍😀

[@RedBatteryHead]

Great car. Needs some beefy tires too.

[@troy4393]

Herald, Vitesse, and GT6 all use effectively identical engine mounting. The Spitfire has slightly lower engine mount positions on the suspension uprights, but the front plate on the engine side is identical to the Herald dimensionally. If you copy the original engine mounting positions, as it seems you have, this will drop into any of the Herald-derived cars quite easily.

[@alexeypilipenko7111]

Does this conversion enable electronical reverse switch? Or mechanical reverse gear is still the only option?

[@bettyswallocks6411]

TR2, 3, 4, 5, 6 would all be good, plenty of bonnet to work with. Sod the TR7. 2.5Pi might interest you? I think a Frogeye Sprite would prove quite a challenge for you.

[@Classic2EV]

Great video as usual and a really nice restoration. The 'funny switchy thing' under the dash top is the switch for the interior light (just the one) which should be right by it. Interesting that you have two holes in the boot to stabilise the rear battery box - they are exactly where I punched two holes through in my Herlad to let the water out!

[@spudproductions7606]

Oh, that’s what it was…….. now it makes sense. 👍😀👍

[@DavidMBanes]

Both the Herald and Vitesse (and Spitfire) gearboxes are known to be weak so have you done anything to handle the extra torque of the electric motor?