Is it a sin to convert a classic car to electric?

In this episode we discuss the pros and cons of converting iconic classic cars to electric. We talk about why people convert them to electric, from Ferraris to Fiats. Some of the subjects covered are:
Reliability
Costs
Environment
Batteries
Weight
Maintenance
Futureproofing
Performance
Some of the cars you'll see converted and/or getting converted to electric include:
Ferrari Testarossa
Fiat 500
Land Rover Defender
Jensen Interceptor
Aston Martin V8
VW Splitscreen
Jaguar E-Type

[@trevorwilliams195]

Richard..I've been riding motorcycles for 46yrs and after converting my 1980 honda goldwing to fully electric..I enjoy the country rides more now than ever before...I can even hear the birds in the trees sometimes .I love it..and thank your team for their help with parts and advice..Trev

[@ElectricClassicCars]

That is awesome! Thanks for posting. My Dad has also said similar benefits now he's got an electric motorbike after riding since the 60s with petrol ones. 👍

[@Yaaayishere]

Having taken a Ferrari 308 I've owned for 20 years, with a tuned Borla exhaust, (which I used to go out of my way to find a tunnel to drive it in second gear through), to have Moggie and his fantastic team stuff a Tesla model S drive in it. - I never missed the sound. Not once. Ever. The halving of the 0-60 was overwhelmingly noticeable along with the torque where ever you want it and the fact is started every time is a big bonus. But the drivability mentioned here, it cannot be described. It's a game changer. Until you experience it, you won't get it. So I suggest you give it a go.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks Peter. The voice of experience. 👍👍👍

[@BrianBoniMakes]

No more "engine out" maintenance, you're sure to miss that.

[@shabbos-goy9407]

No thanks.

[@mattlawton4715]

@@ElectricClassicCars having no noise is golden. People used to miss the smoke from steam trains but hwo misses that now.

[@wolfgangpreier9160]

You will miss the fine smell of the real blend of gazoline from the south side of kuwait. The feeling of turning the keys to start the car and nothing happens. The bone deep vibrations loosening your teeth when driving faster than 30. The remving of the engine to replace the main seal every 3 months.

[@fkkmag8692]

I think it’s a beautiful way to keep then up and running! So a big yes for me ❤

[@thisisnightshop2037]

Or you could just to maintain them. And then they actually stay running pretty well.

[@bigmountain7561]

I am sold on electric, but I still love the ICE’s. The problem is both forms of transportation require natural resources. The way that these materials are obtained is egregious. So now we are left with drilling and fracking for the liquid gold or strip mining for the nickel and lithium. The only positive about electric is no fumes. It’s six of one and a half dozen of another. I had made a statement “Imagine if after the big asteroid slammed into the Gulf of Mexico nothing but the animals survived and no humans existed except for our ancestors visiting from where we originated and just observed the planet almost like a giant zoo”. So am still waiting for the technology to be fully developed. Thank You 🙏 Great Videos!!!!

[@djtaylorutube]

My classic is the 1976 Triumph Stag that my father bought when I was age 12. Since the passing of my father, it's now with me but the memories of hearing that very distinctive V8 under power coming up the hill towards the family home are what defines the car. My Tesla Model Y arrives in a couple of weeks, that will be my electric fix!

[@briansture4353]

Record it and play it through the car speakers. The next generation of motorheads won't know about exhaust noise. They won't miss it they will like the motor pitched sound.

[@djtaylorutube]

@@briansture4353 It's already on KZbin :) Nothing competes with the baritones of a stereo V8 soundtrack from the Stag.

[@bobeden5027]

no stumble at part throttle, no lag in throttle response, no misfires! and so on. Worked at ERCA doing car driveability testing. (Esso Research Center Abingdon).

[@Brinslade]

The look of a well presented large engine that has a history linking several generations of cars is glorious to see. The sheer technical expertise that is invested into a iconic engine is a delight to any person who has appreciation of a well engineered car. The look and sound of a well maintained car is something to be admired, and may even stir memories of owning or just riding in one many years ago. Even the constant tinkering and maintaining of these classic cars often gives an individual pleasure. However, the cost and frustration of maintaining these cars is not something that gives as much pleasure when the thing is constantly requiring more time and money to keep it running. The other issue is that these classic cars are likely to be in a museum in the future. The real thrill will be still seeing these classic cars on the road. The sound they make may dissappear, but the style and design is still there for all to see. This is especially important as most modern vehicles seem to look very similar. Keeping classic visible on our roads through electric conversions will help reminds us that not all vehicles need to be chunky SUVs. Electrifying the classics will also help to reduce the waste from scrapping older cars.

[@KeithCarmichaelInFL]

Very well said!

[@caseroberts9863]

The pretty ones can go in the museums, or get converted. It is imperative that we kill all combustion engines. The which a why is a simple fact. They are doing same to us.

[@iareid8255]

Casey, It is not imperative to kill all combustion engines, indeed your electric car, if you have one, relies on them.

[@iareid8255]

B Wasear, a well maintained classic does not require 'more time or money' to keep running. Do you own a classic?

[@Brinslade]

I did own several cars over the years, and the money spent to restore and maintain them was much higher that the money I got when I sold them. I did get enjoyment from working on them and maintaining these vehicles, but the cost was considerably higher that my newer Ford Fiesta that ran everyday with little effort. I did have a few friends who had classics that were very reliable, but there were also those like myself who seemed to solve one problem for another to pop up soon after. Unfortunately, I like many others I knew couldn't afford a complete rebuild, so it felt more like fire fighting rather than enjoying the cars. I had a 1973 e-type, a triumph GT6, and a BMW 2002, and while I enjoyed owning them, I was financially less stressed when I sold them.

[@marcosmith6613]

Very clear and logical arguments cover both sides without the emotion based on lived experience rather than opinion. Fascinating to see the cars that are being converted.

[@farukcarushi4983]

I swear, I love the way you articulate, calmly and systematically, all the things I try to tell people around here. You’re awesome! Plus, I love seeing those beautiful old cars 🚙 in the background…. And foreground.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks. 😁👍

[@spudproductions7606]

👍👍

[@KeithCarmichaelInFL]

There is a strong anti-change effort going on in "my" generation. Anything that is "new" or "weird" is completely sacrilegious and should be burned at the stake (yeah, I live in the USA). There is no real argument that can be made to support it, so they have to argue the point on a "feeling" or other intangible point. That is where the "soul" of the car comes in. It was stated very well by someone I knew back in high school (in the 80's) that it's just not worth fighting with the religious mentality because your fighting with a ghost, nothing you say will be heard and nothing you can do will be felt.

[@philtucker1224]

Yes, the USA has a history of being very oil- positive and that dates back to the brainwashing by the oil barons back in the very early part of the last century. Their new wealth allowed them to take up strong government roles that enabled them to crush the (rapidly growing) electric car industry and the passenger railroad network. They just wanted to sell more oil, (and still do!) Fortunately they are a dying breed! 😊

[@melisboregard]

Thats a bit sad but I would say its true. The same goes for a lot of men over the age of 45 in Sweden as well, and especially the further you get from the bigger cities.

[@pablopicaro7649]

So true, they are stuck with what they understood when a teenager thru 30s. And anyway If Makers of Classic cars would have had viable Electric motors, batteries, and Electronics where available to them, they would have sold the Classics with the option of an Electric motor. There is NOTHING "magical" about a Petrol engine - it was just the most practical at the time. And now with modern Batteries, EV power is also practical.

[@joeabad5908]

Nice to hear that.. I am from the Philippines and seems what you guys say are ture as well, here. I have ordered a bunch of components (yes, from China) to convert an old Suzuki Mini Pickup into an EV.. Know what? I dont care what the oldies say.. I can hear them already saying, you'll not go far enough. It wont work if you DIY. You can"t have it registered. Its too expensive. Blah blah blah.. So when all of these are said and done.. Then they"ll see me smile.. By the way Im a retired 67 year old.. I leave the others do their thing and I follow my heart.. Life is short and doing this makes me happy.

[@theunknownunknowns5168]

The US military is going electric for their tactical vehicles including a hybrid Abrams. As per what Beau of the Fifth Column spoke about about 10 days ago.

[@bruceyoung1343]

Excellent. Very informative Thank You. Can’t wait to see the classic Jaguar converted

[@rodlister3098]

Great video. Really informative with solid facts. Especially exhaust gases!

[@manup1931]

Simple question, do you prefer seeing the cassis driving or do you prefer the original standing in the garage.

[@LosZonga]

This rhetoric comes from a certain type of people. We know them and being thoughtful and careering f.. if it matters what they say. Your car, do what you want. It is called freedom. They don't like it, even if your property.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Good point. 👍

[@manup1931]

@@LosZonga It may be your car, but if it's not "your" gas station, "your" roads or "your" low emission zone your freedom is quite limeted.

[@cosgraham534]

I have a Daimler with a V12 engine. It takes me the best part of a day to just gap the spark plugs. The reward of occasionally opening up the throttle so I can hear the howl of the engine, does not outweigh the effort required to maintain the engine.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yep, that's pretty much where I got to with my love of classic car engines 7 years ago. The maintenance was outweighing the enjoyment of driving them. 👍

[@4Kandlez]

A day to gap the spark plugs, Is that including naps or something?

[@cosgraham534]

@@4Kandlez The air conditioning compressor has to be removed, to get access to two of the plugs. Jaguar garages used to schedule 6 hours for the job - and I am by no means experienced at the job...

[@imarobot3757]

@@cosgraham534 design flaw , takes me 20 minutes to change and gap plugs on my v-8

[@cosgraham534]

@@imarobot3757 A V12 is a LOT of engine, which is very difficult to fit into a car. Jaguar released the XJ model as a straight 6, because at first they couldn't fit their purpose designed V12 into the car by launch date!

[@seanm8030]

An E type coupe is ideal for conversion to electric actually. Light, plenty of space. It's a great idea. However when one has complete bodyshells available as for a mini or MGB it makes even more sense.

[@jpkatz1435]

Yes, but not nearly as ellagent.

[@seanm8030]

@@jpkatz1435 Define elegant?

[@lemagnitio72]

Or even spell it!

[@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391]

The thing about old Jags is they have heavy engines, so they can take the weight of lots of batteries; I'm not sure about the E type (each to their own), but I think the Jag saloons would work well.

[@seanm8030]

@@joejoejoejoejoejoe4391 Yes. Light body and frame. Plenty of space is relative of course, but minus the XK lump there really is a lot of cabin and under bonnet space that is suitable for batteries.

[@timv285]

As a second point, I work in the listed building conservation field and many of the points you make about alteration ( or “intervention” as it is called in my field ) are paralleled by the arguments that go on with listed buildings. Key areas are conserve? renovate? re-order? or extend?and considerable analysis goes into the “significance of the original” both in architectural and historical terms before any decisions are taken on for instance rare grade 1 listed buildings. Ypur argument about the significance a of a mass produced but beautiful car is well made, provided of course there are plenty still left. You can always keep the best for Beaulieu!

[@spudproductions7606]

Good points, thanks 👍😀

[@DanielBoger]

It is no sin to do a conversion on on something like a Beatle or a 500. I can understand that some people would not want to do a conversion on something very rare. Your products alway do a great job of maintaining the appearance of the car.

[@penrithomas115]

Here is a question for you how much electricity does it take to make a full tank of petrol. Less petrol made freeing up lovely electric for us to use 😁

[@LongStep]

I'm going to share this video. I've tried to tell people these same things, but without the experience that you have. Thanks for putting this together in one video. I used to think a car's soul-essence was the engine. Now I believe it's the responsiveness of the car. Brakes, throttle, balance, steering... all the points of human interaction. That's what brings a smile to our faces.

[@markbryan9115]

I love the whole series of explanation. Good points on all the topics. I'm in the process of converting my 67 Porsche 911 with a Tesla unit., I'm still researching battery options.

[@user-ty1mo4ts1m]

Hi did you ever hear of the TRB3 a USAF triangle craft, it has a small nuclear Power plant plus a container of Mercury & Electrogravitics , to make it fly silently . Does Vertical,/ Horizontal Take off & landing . Just curious , but if a car had a setup similar to that It possibly could even beat out the Jetsons flying car

[@Matt2chee]

You're doing it a favor. People have been putting SB chevy in Junquar since the 60's. Question is, Where do you get all the Tesla motor's?

[@dillzilla4454]

5:00 something i think a lot of people also miss when talking about conversions. lets say you have 1 of 1000 of a particular car. a general rule is that if you are using original parts you typically need 2 cars to make 1 car drivable. if you are doing a conversion on the other hand you only need half the car to make it drivable. this means that if it is a collector car there are more parts in circulation to keep them running for people who want them to be original and also more of them usable on the road because some don't have or need original parts.

[@NewZeroland]

Amaaaazing video!! I loved every point you made. Thanks so much for doing what you do.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Likewise, I love your videos on the Zero. My Dad, the plugpirate watches them all the time. Did you see this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYqYo557qt5gY6M

[@NewZeroland]

@@ElectricClassicCars no way!! Haha that made my day 😂 I'm starstruck!

[@georgemcinnes8668]

This is one of the best videos I have seen that answers a lot of questions from people that don't understand the benefits of electric cars. Thank you

[@ElectricClassicCars]

You're welcome. 😁👍

[@raisoreo]

Richard, I completely agree with you! The engine and motor are just machines which provide mobility, that's all! I bought a Tesla Model 3 Performance more than two years ago and haven't questioned my decision ever. The quietness and sheer power of the Tesla astounds me. Cheers!

[@MattTester]

Putting the engine of a classic on a shelf and saving it for its time in a museum, while using the car and getting all the benefits sounds great to me. Also I heard someone complain that twisty mountain roads aren't fun because it's a lot of work with the gears and the brakes cook, not in an EV. I hope the current energy prices aren't hurting business, anyone who fitted solar panels is really seeing the benefit now.

[@paulsmith4996]

@2.25 '"Always a good idea to listen to people with experience and not opinion" Absolutely right. As a former devotee of the 'Under £1000' section in AutoTrader, I can attest to the pain of owning old bangers to try and get me to work. Granada MkII (autobox stopped) Lancia Delta (always leaking coolant) Fiat Uno (rotar arm crack), Honda Prelude (fuel tank leaking allover). I stopped owning cars back in 2001, and only in 2019 took out a lease on a BMW i3. What a revelation, no droning noise on the motorway, no strange noises coming from autobox, no whining diff etc. Fast, reliable and most importantly, very cheap to run compared to ICE. It's cost of ownership as well as performance that is driving uptake of BEV's now. I would absolutely love a classic car - but only with BEV drivetrain so that I can admire it, and enjoy using it everyday. I think there is a vast un-tapped market for converting some of our 70's / 80's / 90's favourites that are still on the roads. Most importantly, the emissions associated with these vehicles are already in the environment - better to re-use and recycle. Anyone for an electric Volvo 240 GL ?

[@tomtodd2326]

I love that I no longer have to go to a petrol station. Plug it in when you get home and when I wake up the next morning it's fully charged again

[@mishalow1180]

I was 25 years old in the mid 1960s when I bought a used '62 3.8 coupe. You have no idea how exciting it was at the time, to walk up to the car, open the door and take off. All mine! And it had soul. An electric motor has maximum ( and minimum) torque as soon as you switch it on. The IC engine starts at a relatively low power at low revs, and the acceleration builds as the revs and noise increase, pushing you back into the seat and roaring under the hood gets louder. Absolutely mind blowing. That, coupled with the old crash box, makes the whole experience so amazing. Still driving a '60 MGA that my dad bought new and absolutely loving it. It revs beautifully and I love taking it through the gears. Oxygen sensors have made tuning much easier so getting the carbs sorted out is a breeze. With no intention of converting to the dark side.

[@jsanders100]

Time you drove a good EV

[@stiflerxavimcfly1597]

First of all I don’t understand how this video has come unnoticed for me since I’m subscribed to the channel and I enjoy the content so much. Secondly and most importantly, this video is actually the epitome not only of classic car conversion, but actually of the whole EV purpose and the absolute need to switch massively to a sustainable transportation ecosystem. It is so well presented, structured and backed by actual experience from someone who’s not at all suspicious of hating cars that it should be divulged and shared among all possible platforms. Setting aside the incredible and admirable work you all do at electric classic cars, your stance in the need for a cleaner, cheaper and definitely more enjoyable future for automobiles of all sorts is praiseworthy. I wish there was a way to dub or automatically generate subtitles in other languages for the sake of a wider reach. Thank you and congratulations. I wish you success in your endeavors and hope your example ingrains all around the globe, as it’s still a very niche market for electric conversions.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thank you for your kind words. ❤️👍

[@williamstachour4019]

That’s a lovely summary. I’m currently driving an F150 Lightning. Previous truck was a RAM 1500. Glorious noise with that latter, and almost no noise whatsoever with the Lightning. I love them both, but I’d never go back to the ICE. I think my Lightning has a very prominent personality.

[@dlbuffmovie]

Kudos on this stance!!! (And that is from an American.) Love what you are saying, but I want to comment on the paint jobs!!! OMG! The finish on some of those cars/parts is frikken AMAZING. Keep doing you! (My secret plan was to buy the neighbor's (parked in a field) corvette and make it electric...)

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks. 👍

[@acefoxuk]

Haha no way, the exact video I was hoping you would make! I have conversations about this with friends and family all the time, great job! Hopefully we will all come to our senses one day 🤞🏻

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks John 👍😀

[@karlbe8414]

I am not a classic car guy, but that Jag is Gorgeous!! I have only been driven in one in junior high school.

[@mikeg7845]

I am sure someone has already mentioned it (I didn't want read all 900+ comments to confirm), but home charging is my favorite benefit from driving electric. I would still chose electric if my charging cost was comparable to filling up with gas. Never having to get up early to fill up before work, or stop for gas after a long day of work is a huge benefit. I drive about 1,000 miles a month for work with my EV. Only on trips of over 200 miles have I ever stopped at a public charging station and that was usually just to give myself a safety buffer with regards to range. On top of that the stop was always at a place where I would go in and get some snacks and beverages for the return trip. By the time I got back to the car, I had the range buffer I needed. It is hard to appreciate how much of a benefit this is until you experience it.

[@billholmes3462]

I have three classic cars and I have seriously considered converting my E Type, I even discussed it with one of Moggy’s team last year. The main problem is cost, they estimated north of £70k with an 18 month lead time. I only drive a maximum of a 1000 miles a year in the car and frankly it just does not make sense. Converting a classic does not make the car a daily driver either as practical problems still remain like steaming up in rain etc and I would certainly not leave the car unattended too long in a public car park. So in summary if you have money to burn and are prepared to wait around two years to get a car converted then go for it.

[@darynsax]

70k WOW

[@RjWolf3000]

I think a big one you are missing is how much more the car will get driven. So many classic cars spend their days in garages or under tarps because of reliability and safety concerns. My landcruiser spends a lot of time in the garage since its clutch was slipping a few years ago. A lot of classic car shows really fail to talk about safety and reliability but when you climb out from a car with 3 point seat belts, abs, hundreds of herspers, and crumple zones, getting into a classic can be a mix of fun and anxiety. Taking away a few of the concerns gets them back on the road and used.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yes. Absolutely, I.missed that one. I totally drive more hours in my classics now than when they were petrol, and that can only be a good thing. 😁👍

[@lemagnitio72]

Although a classic car that doesn’t go anywhere also doesn’t create emissions. If it is used far more after conversion, just for fun, then it will obviously not be environmentally beneficial. Purely from an environmental point of view, it would make sense to scrap the car and recycle the materials into something more useful and efficient. But that’s a much more challenging debate!

[@RjWolf3000]

@@lemagnitio72 classic cars aren’t really a big source of pollution. Their point is to bring enjoyment to their owners through nostalgia and appreciation of their design. Melting them down would be plenty polluting and is a solution to a nonexistent problem.

[@imarobot3757]

how does converting to electric make the car safer ?I drive my 70's car every day dead reliable 15,000 miles a summer no break downs in 20 years maybe brit classics are a problem , plus i get 360 miles to a 12 gallon tank of gas 450hp 2800lbs plenty fast maintenance is oil change once a year change belts and hoses every 5 years ,not that bad plugs have not changed in 3 years even then a 20 minute job in the driveway . , Don't count on free charging forever , it will cost big once they have you all by the balls

[@RjWolf3000]

@@imarobot3757 reliable brakes, better acceleration. Better handling.

[@mrmawson2438]

Great video mate👌

[@deltajohnny]

The best video about pros and cons that I have ever seen!! 👏👏👏

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@carlolaatst5649]

It really depends on the car. If the car is stunning to look at but has terrible reliability, than it makes sense to convert it to electric.

[@IAmSoMuchBetterThanYou]

So all Italian cars and anything British from the 60s and 70s and most of the 1980s.

[@MrSpinneyhorse]

Great video, very nicely explained on the pros and cons...... i have a 1983 Range Rover Classic with a V8 but the amount of milage that i do in it, its most likely not worth the expense. As for the heart and soul of a car, it's the whole package not just the engine, which is the big part of course for me. The sound, the vibration, the smell the thought of this car not starting........ It's machines that we have all grown up with, and got to know, its a feeling of the past i guess. An EV will no doubt give you its own feeling of a soul........ I would like the idea of listening to the wind, and the countryside as you drive through the lanes and hills.... but then i like the burble of a V8 too? Can you add a noise simulator of an engine,,,,, when needed at a push of a button? My thoughts would be if i was going to convert a car, would be something more modern...say an early Audi q8 3.0 with all the safety features...... best of both worlds!! A real every day car.

[@williamstachour4019]

And those are some GORGEOUS cars. That E-Type, that Defender. Spectacular stuff.

[@jeffberwick]

Excellent explanation! You hit all the big points. That Jag engine is certainly a beautiful work of art, all the other points aside.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@BrianFraser]

Great overview Weight is an interesting one, apparently some new vehicles are getting so heavy they could void your license, as they are technically in another vehicle type category. Reliability is something people confuse with character or "soul". I had a mini GT and contrary to popular opinion, I hated it, as it broke down far too often. I had an Alfa Romeo GTV that was more reliable.

[@jamesyeoman2421]

I've said it before, I'd get the metro converted tomorrow. But that kind of budget will sadly never be available to me so looks like it's internal combustion and all it's flaws for the foreseeable 😢

[@54mgtf22]

I own 3 classic cars. Porsche, Alfa Romeo and MG. I love what you do.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😎

[@brunosanu]

If i could i would take my. Discovery 3 tdv6 to your workshop for a conversion. Great job. Congratulations

[@jeffscott2724]

I think two of the major cons to electric right now are charge time and the total distance the vehicle can drive. Not to many people can afford having an “in town” electric commuter car and also a long distance fossil fuel car. Electric is well on its way but until these problems are solved it will always be in the back seat compared to fossil fuels. Additionally battery life is not yet proven and is an extreme cost if they do need to be replaced. I have pursued so many different options to convert a 53’ Dodge M37 to electric but currently not many options are available for that heavy of a vehicle. The energy density between fossil fuels and an electric battery does not compare yet but hopefully one day it will. This is one of the major problems with an electric semi truck. The gross vehicle available cargo weight is substantially reduced due to the weight of the batteries needed to get it going. Diesel fuel allows each semi truck to tow more weight in each load than electric is capable of. I appreciate the videos and enjoy them! Hopefully one day we can crack the battery problem “Achilles heel” of electric. Your correct in stated that an electric motor is far superior to any fossil fuel engine. The difference is the chemistry in which these engine derive there energy from is not comparable as of yet. Keep the content coming!

[@imarobot3757]

distance travelled is the problem for me I do a minimum of 200 miles a day , when it is minus 20 or 30 with snow on the road how far will that electric car get me ? With snow and ice it can take 2 or 3 hours to go 100 miles when the temps are low I would be very worried that I would be stuck dead on the highway not much worry with my gas cars as i get at least 350 to 500 miles on a tank cut that by 20% with heavy snow with traffic moving at 30 mph still nothing to worry about

[@imarobot3757]

that is true , look at how heavy some of the new electric hickuptrucks are now . Some are over 9,000 lbs with no load ,, hat is a hell of a lot of weight . Would not like to be in a car that gets t boned by that beast

[@deansmits006]

​@@imarobot3757 Yes, you and the 6 other people with the same driving needs can still get a gas car. That will be ok

[@deansmits006]

​@@imarobot3757 that's 1 EV. Other eV trucks are 6700-7100 lbs, around what a F-350 weighs. And I'd rather me tboned by that than a 14,000lb commercials truck, of which there are millions. The 1st gen of these long range EVs will be heavy, subsequent iterations will discover how to build around the new architecture and remove weight.

[@peterwalker8096]

I 100% agree with you, I’m saving right now for a kit to change over my 1963 Willys pickup, been watching y’all for a while and enjoy seeing the older vehicles get a second life.

[@spudproductions7606]

Cool👍😀

[@PaulM745]

A Willys that does 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds flat... THAT I WANT TO SEE!!! 😅

[@user-pt1ow8hx5l]

Your bank manager and next of kin will be delighted. I think. If you intend to drive the Willys. And save on petrol, repairs and depreciation.

[@FishplateFilms]

Another great and informative video Richard and crew. I've said it before , but you are becoming a bit of a docco presenter ....and I mean in a good way. SO much info and facts as well as some great classic cars and great pommy humour! I see an interesting future Sir. But ONLY after you make a kit for my 02 TD5 Disco! Cheers Gregg.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks Gregg. 😁👍

[@srinivasvaranasi1645]

A very nice presentation!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@rogerlockwood2363]

Seeing as jaguar are selling conversions them self for their cars I don't see it as bad. I have had classic cars and would love another.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Jaguar don't do conversions. They thought about it, promised lots of customers they would do it then decided not to do it. ☹️

[@Mike_Costello]

The ghost of James Brown 'soul' Bahahahaha. That was glorious! Great overview of the conversion rationale guys. Especially the rag over the exhaust pipe. We'd never sit our children right there but so many feel we should keep pumping the stuff out there for all to inhale.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks Mike. 👍

[@bryandickerson5365]

Man, this vid brings up some profound topics - art, soul, finances…weight! I’m with you, but I do “feel” what people mean by saying some engines have “soul” and I think it has to do with the combo of sound, power curve, red-line, shifting/rev-matching that makes some engines feel ‘alive”. It’s probably the lack of these imperfections that makes electric motors less animated. I do wish someone would come up with an electric package that tries to recreate the petrol version’s driving experience, including shifting, but with no pollution and more power.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

We've done many a conversion using the original gearbox where you can still shift up and down the gears. This electric MG Midget is a good example of just that. It was a real hoot to drive 👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKe0nYtonqaLoZY

[@allsearpw3829]

Hi , you must come up with an option of canned music to have switched exhaust sound .🤔with speakers in the exhaust silencers .Would an E type be one with out the silencers ?

[@georgedaville4662]

Superb presentation of what your business is about. Apart from the fact that that E Type Jaguar Coupe looks absolutely sensational in that green metallic colour, is that it’s performance will totally eclipse its original. I suspect that you guys at ECC are fully booked for sometime to come, but this video is a superb sales pitch. Another classic Richard 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍

[@sydneyg007]

Well said Richard! I would also add that a bigger problem than the toxicity of burning petrol/diesel is the C02 created (surely the worlds biggest problem at the moment). Also, even if charged from a mainly fossil fuel powered grid BEVs still produce less C02 (because of how much more efficient they are at using that energy). I would think those reasons alone would be enough incentive but there are all the other massive benefits that you mention! Keep up the good work!

[@happydays1470]

If we all stopped buying everything we own from countries like china who don’t give a dam about emissions then I would agree with you. Until then electric car are a gimmick and that jaguar was butchered for no reason.

[@sydneyg007]

@@happydays1470 I must admit I'm not 100% on the point you are trying to make? Does it help to buy stuff from different countries and which countries are the good ones? There are plenty of people in China that really care about reducing emmisions - there are also those that don't. Same as all other coutries in that regard. Our electric MG was made in China - better than buying a fossil fuel car made in Japan isn't it? Volvo's biggest car factory in China runs from 100% renewable energy. I'm putting a Tesla drivetrain (originally manufactured in China) in my Landrover which will lower the C02 emission it produces from 5 tonnes a year to Zero. Is it better to do nothing and justify that by saying that there are people in China that don't give a damn?

[@RustyChapman]

I'm old enough to know that these Jags were very popular, here in the US, back in the '60s, but in the '80s, living in Florida, I worked with a mechanic that pulled the Jag motor out of these cars and replaced them with a small block Chevy, along with an adequate sized radiator for the subtropical climate.

[@richardc6269]

To answer ur title question...NO!! Brother ur making it a hundred times better🤓🤙✌

[@homestead2607]

Well said Richard. I’m doing a DIY conversion on an old Kit Car at the moment, just up the road from you, and I’m constantly having this sort of conversation with friends and relatives. Keep up the good work.

[@GTD40CarClub]

I bought my first Tesla S in 2014 and now I'm on my third, a model X. On the X five years and 40K miles has cost £150 total in maintenance plus one set of tyres. I charge from off peak electricity so the energy is very cheap. Your film made me miss my Series 1 E Type which was in the same colours as your car and built to FIA regs for hillclimbing and sprinting. I wouldn't have converted that car because the howl of the straight six and the lovely gearchange where so intrinsic to the whole experience. I do hanker after a converted car where the engine and transmission are not one of the key reasons why you are buying the car in the first place. A Merc SL, Citroen DS, 914 Porsche, Fiat 500 a Carver or a hot mini all make perfect sense to me. The instant torque will make them all better cars, in the end it is the real difference between a Cobra and an AC Ace. Its a personal thing, but I don't think I want to replace the drivetrain in anything with an iconic 6, 8,10 or 12 cylinder engine. Maybe that Jensen will change my mind! Love what you do and fascinated to see where developments will take you!

[@razerrath_com]

How can a totally useless gearchange be "lovely"?

[@GTD40CarClub]

@@razerrath_com mine had the close ratio racing gearbox, nicest gearchange I ever used. Double de-clutching and heel and toe gearchanges are a big part of competing in in an old car, no gears would reduce the driving experience on track. Conversely I wouldn't want a manual Merc SL, it's a different car for a different purpose.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@razerrath_com]

@@GTD40CarClub The need to change gears is one of the biggest disadvantages of the outdated ICEV. Why do you think the fastest car on Pikes Peak is electric? It never has to shift gears.

[@nickpasch1019]

"If you think that you can buy a Jaguar and forget it, forget it." Advertisement for Jaguar in the early 1960s.

[@TheSimonhammond]

Well explained thank you.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks for watching 👍😀

[@GardnerHappy]

How much of the initial cost is because of the batteries? If prices on batteries dropped to half, how much cheaper would a conversion of a Range Rover be?

[@adam-g7crq]

Love to see a Routemaster electric conversion driving around London.

[@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23]

AND we could convert some Steam Locomotives ! .

[@jimsouthlondon7061]

UK Heritage Railways converting their old steamers to run their boilers on cleaner efficient LPG and then onto Hydrogen

[@jimsouthlondon7061]

Do away with dirty expensive coal and add dye into the stake to simulate smoke.

[@andicog]

@@jimsouthlondon7061 you'd think they would burn biomass, after all, UK power stations have converted from coal to biomass as we are told its clean and sustainable despite being shipped in from Canada on large oil burning ships.

[@somecallmetimelderberries432]

I love this topic, thanks for presenting it!

[@DoItWithPaulie]

Great info mate,do people request to keep and store the original engine and bits?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Some do but most just ask us to sell them on. 👍

[@Satronaut-pw3ij]

Love yu work mate, you're making the world a better place.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks 😁👍

[@paulstaf]

All someone needs to do is test drive a Tesla, then imagine that kind of performance in your classic car and you will be a convert.

[@conservativemike3768]

A quiet, trouble-free, and lighter-weight classic Jag is VERY appealing.

[@deansmits006]

This is the big advantage of Jaguar going EV. Their reliability will go way up! I'm talking modern Jaguar, lol

[@conservativemike3768]

@@deansmits006 / Enables the owner to refocus $/time on optimizing the suspension and interior improvements.

[@stevedavies4299]

I’ll give you an explanation of what in my opinion gives a classic car Soul ! Here goes!, :Walk into your garage and smell mixture of oil and petrol and old leather in the air, :Open the door and take in the whiff of old Connolly leather from the the interior. :Pause for a moment as your sitting in drivers seat and hear the ticking of the old quartz clock second hand. :Put the key in ignition and turn the key one click , red ignition light comes on. :Listen to the eerie silence as put your finger towards the engine start button. : Blip the excelerator a couple of times and you can just hear the carbs with the fuel : Push engine start button. :Listen to the cranking up of the engine as it explodes into life :Rev the engine and listen to the angry rumbling music coming from the V8 and V12 :Strap on the harness :Check oil pressure gauge :Check oil temp. Gauge ::Check water temp.gauge :Check your fuel gauge : Clutch pedal down and push gear stick into first gear :Clutch up and gas pedal down and off you go! :You might be driving the car , but actually your just a passenger . ADD THE ABOVE TOGETHER = SOUL!!!! There’s your explanation

[@robcerrato6528]

So glad you brought up the cobalt and lithium issues people have. The people who make these arguments conveniently ignore the constant environmental catastrophe that using fossil fuels creates. Climate change, oil spills, smog, asthma, noise pollution… the list goes on and on. Great video and I really hope it dispels some of these ridiculous notions about our cars “souls”.

[@carlmeyer6242]

This is quite an interesting perspective on the relationship between an electric car and a petrol car. I find them completely different machines. Like the difference between a motorcycle and a car. You can have a car with a motorcycle engine or a motorcycle with a cars engine. Sometimes an electric motor destroys a car and sometimes it improves it.

[@pasad335]

It has often been the case that a particular vehicle benefited from an engine swap, sometimes to a completely different manufacturer. That was never considered a sin, it was a way to make the car legitimately better. Similarly, swapping in an EV package is great if it improves the product. Further, I say forget about 'reversibility'; no one is ever going to put a gas engine back in one of these if it's done properly. EV technology is only going to improve. Batteries will get smaller and lighter for the same capacity, same with motors/inverters, etc. Plan to adopt those changes, not go back to gas.

[@dm2295]

Great video!

[@llortllort1]

Very relevant information and content here!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍😀

[@raysville7256]

I would like a 1967 Karmann Ghia convert

[@pablopicaro7649]

i had a 68 KG convertible, a 73 coupe, and a 71 coupe now

[@ElectricClassicCars]

You have good taste. 😎👌

[@raysville7256]

@@ElectricClassicCars Thanks but It's my dreams that have the taste.

[@raysville7256]

@@pablopicaro7649 The convertibles are so fine.

[@brainwithani5693]

First of all, I love the spirit of this channel. This is a group of people who really love and appreciate cars. Second, I think the "soul" of the car is all the work that goes into it. Yes, the engine is a beautiful piece of art in some vehicles, and a turd in others. Purists seem to forget that these are machines that were originally built for profit. Maybe the engineers put their heart into it (Ferrari) or maybe not (GM) but either way, it's a product at the end of the day. It's the owners and drivers and culture that give the car it's personality. I would love to see you guys collaborate with someone like Jay Leno one day. He would really appreciate what you guys are doing!

[@spudproductions7606]

👍👍

[@robertschallhorn3814]

You can add a stereo connected to the tach and it can create a sound track to blast your ears when you want to hear the noise of a muffler

[@NathanNostaw]

I think the soul argument is solid. If you can damn it to hell every time you're broken down in the rain on a cold night or late to work because it won't start then it clearly has a soul. :) One big plus on conversions of car with expensive and rare engines is the engine is being saved whilst the classic car is still being enjoyed on a more regular basis.

[@robeigner4390]

Best video I've seen that compares ICE to EVs. Very well done and easy to understand, except for those close minded petrol heads. As for the soul of a car, I feel it's the ride not the engine. I'm still waiting to get an EV and both the power and ride of my Tacoma truck stink. I hate loud cars, especially those with stupid exhaust amplifiers. Give me a quiet ride with enough power to get where I'm going and I'm happy. I just wish you guys would come up with an EV conversion for my 2013 Toyota Tacoma (Hilux in your area?). I have plenty of room under the bed for batteries and after installation of the motor in the front to use my transfer case for 4WD, I would have room for a frunk and with some suspension changes, still enough to carry close to a ton. My truck is paid off and is not like the big, fat trucks of today. I doubt I'll ever be able to pay for the Cybertruck I have reserved so doing a conversion might actually cost me less. LFP batteries are a given with enough to handle towing and long drives along the West Coast of the USA.

[@OpticalMan]

Classic cars are not known for their crash safety but I would be interested to know how converting a vehicle to electric affects this. Does it make it safer by reinforcing the front of car or does it make it worse by taking away the crumple zones? In more modern vehicles the engine is designed to be pushed underneath the passenger compartment in the event of a heavy front end collision. When a vehicle is converted to electric what happens to the battery box in the event of a collision? Would it get pushed through in to the passenger compartment? Do they catch fire?

[@MrAdopado]

I would be very surprised if they can do a lot to improve crash protection ... certainly not up to the standard of modern cars that have been designed with safety in mind. Petrol fuelled classic cars are certainly more prone to fires than modern vehicles! Despite following the increase in EV use (and being an owner) over several years I haven't seen an issue with fires following crashes ... maybe the risks are different for a conversion.

[@ezpoppy55]

Fact: people like what they know. The new and different scares them. Im 67, and have been driving all manner of vehicles for more than 50 years (experience). Mind you, no Formula 1 cars. But pretty much everything else in terms of transportation. I bought my Tesla Model 3 SR+ (the poor man’s Tesla) in 2021, and have about 25,000 miles on it. I do daily commutes of about 1,000 miles/month, but also long road trips (for example, a 5,500 miles this past July from California to Kentucky and back). In a nutshell, no way in hell would I I ever own an ICE vehicle again. All the points you made are spot on and brilliant.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks👍😀

[@michaelgarforth2861]

I have a 1997 Toyota MR2. What would it cost to convert.

[@markwellington1254]

So for me I can do a lot better with less noise, proven by my wife pulling her Nissan Leaf into the garage yesterday and I was so taken aback with thee silence. Great sound! The local avenue just a block or two away is full of ICE noise all day and all night. Beautiful Jag!

[@johnbusath711]

The soul is the engineering and technology of the time the car was developed. Not against what you are doing but I do understand what a purest would say about what you do.

[@roberttaundry4644]

What voltage generally are battery modules please can you tell me thinking of a project to do thanks excellent show by the way keep up the good work Robert Taundry Callowend Worcestershire

[@ElectricClassicCars]

The voltage of the battery modules really varies depending on which ones.

[@roberttaundry4644]

Looking to make up 48v to put in a cycle trailer that's all

[@kiwijonowilson]

I have been a bit of a petrol head myself, which a number of twincam / turbo charged / mid engined cars over the years. I don't miss those ICE engines at all now I have gone electric (we currently have a Tesla Model 3 and an old Nissan LEAF for running about town that just keeps going without any servicing). Sure I'm no longer young but I think when I was young I would have enjoyed the Model 3 just as much as I do now (if not more). That all said there is a small subset of classic cars that are worth keeping in ICE form - those rare cars with great sounding engines - and less likely to be daily drivers! Could you imagine taking an original Supermarine Spitfire IX and converting it to electric when part of the air show attraction is the roar of that Merlin engine!

[@JurassicJenkins]

Fav quotes -> experience @2:23 -> soul @3:03 -> performance @9:42 -> better all around @18:11 🎈

[@OhioPeteS2k]

Great episode! For me the choice would vary from car to car. I would be okay converting my old Porsche 912 to electric (but I’d miss the smell of old car mechanicals) but I wouldn’t want to lose the sound of my Honda S2000 engine and shifting its gears.

[@neilballam8701]

I'm sure someone could make an air freshener for that!

[@garyallsopp6369]

I built a Wesfield from the ground up, complete nut & bolt rebuild of RS2000 engine, twin side draught 45s & a straight through side pipe. Been driving electric since 2015 and if I ever build another Westie it'll be electric. Do I miss the noise? - Ask my tinnitus! Do I miss the smell of fuel, oil & warm timing belts when I open the garage door? I have to say yes - But that's about it.

[@user-pt1ow8hx5l]

I would be happy to buy the Porsche,...... Yet it's in America, isn't it.

[@tommaples9174]

An engine like these are a work of art. time and development achieved thru many man hours of cost and research. I think if a classic is in need of restoration than this is a good time to consider a repower/ electric.

[@antonialeitz9179]

Totally agree with your video. Well done.

[@Skiridr22]

It’s funny that the same way some react to EV’s is the same reaction the petrol cars many decades ago got before they became popular and the main way of transportation. It also happened when seat belts was introduced

[@briertonp]

Converting that immaculate S1 E-Type would be wrong, as it’s an excellent example of the best version of the car. However, run of the mill E-Types, especially S3’s, would be greatly improved by swapping to electric power, as many classic cars would

[@beinghappy1312]

People often comment how my crazy e-scooter costs more than a gasoline one. I tell them for having cleaner air and a cleaner environment to live in the cost difference is well worth it. Then there's also the fact that repairs and maintenance is much lower, reliability is through the roof too.

[@MedEighty]

Great video! What would be the process and costs associated with insuring a converted vehicle?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

I've found the costs to insure an electric converted Beetle, for instance, is about the same as a modified Beetle with a petrol engine in. 👍

[@MedEighty]

@@ElectricClassicCars I see. Thank you for the reply.

[@genestatler2514]

That was the most comprehensive explanation of pros & cons on petrol to electric conversion that I've ever heard!! Great job. Regards from Tennessee.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks Gene. 👍

[@spudproductions7606]

Hello 👍

[@genestatler2514]

@@ElectricClassicCars And something else about the sound of classic cars is that the technology in electronics is such that you can reproduce any classic car sound that you want to.

[@beinghappy1312]

I actually do appreciate a good engine noise, which is why whenever a company comes out with a cool sounding EV engine I support it

[@johnwoolf66]

Another benefit since my conversion - I don't miss going to the petrol stations at all! 😎

[@Animalwon]

I had a car from one of those "Classic car" years and the biggest benefit to MY tired old ears is Lack of Noise (SILENCE!). It is my primary motivation for buying an electric car/Truck! I can hardly wait for the F-150 Lightning to be selling at HALF it's current price so I can get one but I doubt my wife will have the patience to wait THAT long!

[@bob808]

I like the idea of electrifying old/classic cars. It allows people to drive something really cool/beautiful, but not deal with the hassles of ownership (maintenance, etc) like you mentioned. Regarding _soul..._ I believe that refers to the sound and vibrations from an engine & gearbox. The gentle rocking at idle. The sound of the air intake and exhaust. Interacting with, and the 'click clack' of the gearbox. The clutch actuation and occasional grinding of gears. Warming up a car, maybe skipping gears until optimal temps are reached, and then booting it! Most old/classic car owners love that kind of stuff. I can understand it, but I'd rather just get in and go! LOL Side note: One thing I've always wondered, how do you store an EV for longer periods? Say 1-3 months or more without damaging the batteries? It seems modern hybrid hyper cars have issues with sitting around, sometimes requiring expensive battery back replacements. Would it be the same with an EV conversion?

[@ashtontechhelp]

just keep it plugged in. The battery management system will look after everything. However, lithium batteries have a much longer shelf life than lead-acid in any case. You would have to have it in storage for a long time / have a vampire drain to cause concern. My limited experience of lithium cells (ie, from a phone battery cell) is that they will, if allowed to discharge too far, refuse to charge at all (I think the chargers fail to detect their presence) - but manually adding voltage (jump start with another cell) will bring them into use again. Discharging is bad for the batteries of course, exercise caution etc, but they can be brought back.