Luxury electric Mercedes 500SL road trip to Loton Park hill climb.

In this episode we show you around the electric Mercedes 500SL and take a trip to our local hill climb event using the power of the sun. We pick a few of our favourite cars at the event and watch some committed racing. Highlight of the day was not only finding a Ferrari 275 GT Lusso, but an owner who's brave enough to drive it on the edge up a hill climb - my kind of guy.
www.electricclassiccars.com

[@tinman7551]

Every single week I get to see another classic car from my childhood being placed into stasis, as as perfectly functional electric car. No more oil leaks, shitty electrical connections from a fading lead acid. Rotting exhaust and obnoxious pollution. It’s so freaking joyful to see these cars 🥰😍❤️ keep up the fantastic videos 👏🏻

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks 👍

[@spudproductions7606]

👍👍👍👍will do

[@laynetravis]

Yes 👍

[@dante9004]

They destroyed the car and will burn in hell for pushing the globalist agenda to enslave humanity!

[@peterjol]

nothing better than keeping the looks but updating a classic to electric...fantastic.

[@spudproductions7606]

👍

[@Heve62]

There is, fresh bedsheets

[@Skiridr22]

Love the Mini

[@glenhardy4770]

Just so you know, I broke away from your newer video, because you told me to, to come here.

[@thomash2806]

Same!

[@DS-pk4eh]

Great conversion. Would be nice if you put some specs in the video description. Thanks

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Good idea. We'll have to remember to do that going forward. 👍

[@darwinskeeper421]

It wouldn't be a great hillclimber, but an electrified Fiat 500 built up as an Abarth replica would be wild. It'd remind me of Lupin's car from the Castle of Cagliostro.

[@MathieuDeVinois]

That’s a dream car. I need to work hard. Every time I hear the range in miles it’s just “what a joke” for me. But after researching that’s round 290km in that case. With fast charging that starts getting interesting. And there is still enough space for luggage.

[@kwilli222]

I remember cycling to Loton Park Hill climb 40 years ago with my school mate Nigel Stevens to see Nick Mann with his Morris Minor V8. A 'modern' classic car that should be electric is the Mazda RX8, a good car with a questionable engine. They're still cheap nowadays.

[@roodick85]

Those are the main cars that need to be electric and nobody would mind

[@iankuah8606]

Or an NSU Ro80!

[@dougowt]

I’d love to see an original Opel Manta, that would make a great electric hill climb/club motorsport car. The chassis is great, straight out of the box too. Not like the Escorts, that need rear axle links etc

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Early Opel Mantas were a fantastic looking car. 😎👌

[@wordreet]

I loved the Merc, but when you showed that Ferrari 275 GT Lusso, , , OMG!!!!!!!!! That beauty is to die for! The shape of it! AAARRGGHH!!!! I want to marry it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@nunofernandes4501]

The Lancia Stratos, that would be a beautiful electric classic indeed.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Oooh, yes please. 😎👌

[@buzzofftoxicblog791]

Wofting along sighn of middle age. Love that car I am old age 😵🙈💚🤣🤣🤣

[@williamfahey6066]

Beautiful Mercedes. It is nice to have seen you drive it. I am glad you are enjoying it. Jeff

[@54mgtf22]

A 1950s MG t-type would be an awesome electrified hill climber. Love your work 👍

[@spudproductions7606]

I like it 👍😀

[@biggreenprize2789]

I love the trend of classic car conversion.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks👍

[@carltwidle3287]

The Mercedes is a nice car. 👌 Car design back in the 1970s was brilliant. German motorcars especially.

[@georgedaville4662]

Hi Richard, I love all of your conversions, but this has to be my hearts desire. Come close to buying a 500SL a couple of times, but close inspection revealed horror shows! When I win the Lottery, this is the car you will converting for me😎 How about a Marcos, stripped out, virtually no weight, it would be a rocket ship 🚀 😂😂😂

[@RanDomRikM]

Lotion Park, Sir Michael Leighton's back garden. Another great vid Richard.

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍

[@generalvoltage1821]

Hard not to love this conversion. Looking into my W124 300e with crazy EV eyes now.

[@beinghappy1312]

Love you pointing out how much more cost effective it is to drive an electric vehicle. Now we just need electric motors that make cool engine noises for people who want that sort of an experience

[@brendanmccabe8769]

I'm not sure cost effective is the correct term for spending somewhere in the region of £50-100K converting a car to save £50 every time you use it. That's a little bit like claiming to be successful for making a small fortune by starting out with a large one!

[@phoenixs3]

congrats on 100k subs! you can truly be called an influencer now!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks Seb, nearly there. 👍😀

[@mrmawson2438]

Lovely old cars Great video mate

[@TheKnightsShield]

AC Cobra, that is one of my dream cars, would love to see one of those done as an EV.

[@StuntDoubleFPV]

Perfect car for an electro mod. Love it.

[@josephtdi8764]

It doesn’t get much better than this

[@jhardy33]

Would love to see you do an electric conversion of the Dino 308 GT4. I really enjoy your videos.

[@MisterHughes]

I hope a few smokey boiz survive, but this is a great way to turn classics into usable transport for a reasonable budget.

[@mumblbeebee6546]

Well, now you got me with all that talk of wafting! If I could afford a four-eye DS (and the few bob for your services on top) I’d buy it - just to waft in near silence o’er the bumps etc! And if I were 20 years younger I’d move back on to the isles, and sleep on your door mat begging to be taken on as an apprentice! You are doing amazing work!

[@MrOlympiaUSAF]

Great job! I'd love to see a nice Jeep CJ-5 conversion. I have a 1974 CJ-5.

[@chadsutphen9401]

Well done, love the videos

[@spudproductions7606]

Glad you enjoy the channel. 👍

[@T.S.T2014]

Well done I Feckin Love it!

[@davidtheswedishtechguy]

Just one thing missing on all this converted cars is give the covers and boxes some love👌 it's the small things that does it and a black hand brushed box doesn't cut it 😆 some nice edges and cool groves in the sheet metal is all it takes to make it pop👌

[@ElectricClassicCars]

By ‘black hand brushed’ you mean, black powder coated? 😆😉👍

[@davidtheswedishtechguy]

@@ElectricClassicCars yeah😆 hard work under it so the box should reflect that too☺️

[@TheWinstn60]

Chevy C-10 Sidestep please from the film The Driver

[@peterbonnez]

MGA Coupe. I've driven that car, many years ago. Owned by a good friend since the '60's, it's beautifully set up and has been used for club motorsport for all it's life.

[@spudproductions7606]

I’d love to try out an MGA 👍

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

Something like the old 1930s looooooong bonnet cars (with the sexy running boards) would have enough space for all the motors and batteries you could ever fit into anything! Could you imagine the looks a well done convertible Hudson Terraplane would get?!

[@nvdlboy]

I like the SL conversion, I've always been partial to those, but never driven one. I'd think that a Jaguar Kougar would be an interesting project if you could track one down.

[@briertonp]

I had a pale blue Maguire Mini like the one in the video around 2002. Unfortunately, due to a change in job, which required a relocation to the East Midlands, I never managed to convert it to 2x Yamaha R1 engines (one in the front and one in the rear). The person who took it on, put in a VVC Rover engine, like the one found in a Lotus Elise. So my ideal hill climb car would be a Maguire Mini (or Imp!?!) with electric power, prefers with four wheel drive. One of my favourite Imp rally/hill climb cars I remember from back in the late 70’s in the South West, had a mid mounted Alfa Sud engine; it was nuts!!

[@dougabbott8261]

I wonder what the price and time frame on converting over the merc would be. Any guesses?

[@RHM6x4]

Well done on the video, can't beat a wofter ! - tyre profile does so much for the ride - my old Rover P6 was effortless with leather armchairs for seats - my vote for a hill climb classic conversion would be a Hillman Imp, size does matter.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Hillman Imp. ❤️👍👍👍

[@dave1secondago]

love the reg xtc

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

A (good) electric Caterham conversion would demolish climb times!

[@spudproductions7606]

Agree with that. 😀👍

[@adam-g7crq]

For buzzing around the lanes and up a hill climb lotus 7 for me.

[@spudproductions7606]

Me too 👍

[@stephenwensley9328]

I think a Lancia Stratos would make a great hillclimb car for you

[@spudproductions7606]

So do I 👍😀

[@SoundsLikeOdie]

I'm surprised a 89 500SL was used. They tend to have a high retail value. It looks like a complete rebuild was done. Does anyone know why a old 70's 450Sl was not used? Those tend to be very reasonably priced. Either way its a beautiful car. You have made a impressive transformation.

[@kens8903]

I’m not sure how readily available the old American landyachts of the 60s and 70s are over there but if you could convert an early 60s Lincoln continental or a late 70s Cadillac Deville that would be amazing

[@FelonyVideos]

Mercedes made a 300SD that was a wonderful experience to drive, huge interior, and handled like a Porsch. That would be another great conversion.

[@kens8903]

@@FelonyVideos a 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SEL ev conversion is another dream of mine

[@darwinskeeper421]

An ultimate classic electric hillclimber? How about a Citroen Dyane body on a custom frame supporting a pair of Tesla Model 3 drive units and a smallish 360 V battery. It goes without saying that the level of modification needed to make this work would make that chopped red Mini you fancied look stock. I don't even know if you could fit a stout enough frame in the place of a Citroen 2CV style chassis and don't get me started about the suspension. It'd still be cool.

[@paulmiller591]

Forgive my ignorance but with the manual gearbox and the electric engine with the Mercedes did you still also have to add a clutch for gear changing? What a beautiful car and great job by your team.

[@marcbee1234]

...would love to know that too!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yep, we added a clutch pedal. 👍

[@briananthony4044]

@@ElectricClassicCars First for drifting hehe,

[@tonydean1262]

My hill climb car electrified would be Lotus Europa S2

[@spudproductions7606]

Me too 👍👍👍😀😀😀

[@anthonyrawsthorne656]

Once my numbers come up, it's my 1275GT I'd want doing. Rear motor on a tube frame (bit like the Zcars or the RS turbo engined one kicking about a few years back) , coil overs all round etc, Arctic white, with 13" black 4 spoke revolutions 👌

[@georgemalek5068]

Your bug would make a great hill climber. Question why did you need to put in 6 speed manual gearbox. I thought electrics just had a single speed gearbox attached ? Pardon my ignorance.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

The torque in the Hyper9 isn't quite enough to be able to use a single gear reduction. If we did it would be very sluggish off the line. Hence 2nd gear for starting off and low speeds and 3rd or 4th for higher speeds. 👍

[@georgemalek5068]

Ah that makes sense ! Thanks

[@d.beaumont9157]

246 Dino Spyder would be my choice. It doesn't even have to be moving, I could just sit there looking at its lines.

[@Mike_Costello]

The Merc is a dream!! And an Inspiration! I have a 1986 W124 now. Question, how would it go with a TorqueBox (reduction box) instead of a manual box??? MGA fun fact. In the 50's they were one of the fastest cars around and were used by British Police. And I think an electric Cortina, Escort or MGB Coup would be the go for hill clime events.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Torque Box is too noisy. 👍

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks for the reminder on the MGA police car. 👍

[@alistairshanks5099]

I would like to see a Hillman Imp. A more successful motorsports car than people give it credit for, In electric form, it would be even better with the battery pack in the front and motor in the rear giving it a much better weight balance. Like the Mini, the wheels are at the corners almost and the wheelbase v's track is not far apart. It is not a glamourous classic but it would make a ripper hill climber and I would love to see it rally. It goes without saying that more modern racing brakes and suspension etc would be needed.

[@spudproductions7606]

Love the imp 👍😀

[@ladanivadriver1578]

Not hearing much progress with a lada niva electric motor fitment ? my 1.7 lpg petrol hasn't got long left running its very damaged lol got a Peugeot xud away to go in for now 😁👍

[@TomLaceyJohnson]

Looks great 👍🏼. What sort of efficiency are you getting out of it?

[@danielcamp9054]

I suspect a Lotus Cortina conversion would make a great bill climb car, or (of course) a MK1 Escort Mexico / RS2000. 👍🏻

[@michaelanderson3771]

Richard- Less talk More action on getting the race car completed. Waiting patiently to see an update and hopefully a driving chassis shortly.

[@spudproductions7606]

Update coming soon. 👍😀

[@travissmith628]

1980's model Audi Quattro Sport Rally inspired.

[@china100]

Oh, that's a nice car... come on Mr Lottery, and let me get one!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Fingers crossed. 🤞😉👍

[@crosisofborg5524]

Oh I live that Austin Healy

[@g0fvt]

An electric Lotus 7 might be fun, keep it RWD, forego a bit of range to keep weight down.

[@WestfieldFreshAir]

Have a search for Westfield Megawatt. Built for running 1/8 mile drag in Barbados. 550kg, 500+hp

[@mrmawson2438]

It's a beautiful Car

[@simon-xi3cv]

Just to be pedantic, I think that the blue Ferrari is a 250 GT Lusso, not a 275.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

I think you're right it's a 250, but I'm sure the owner said it's a 275, but it can't be looking at 275s online images. 👍

[@frankbenz893]

Could you a more in depth video of this conversion? I am curious about how the transmission was fitted, and if you kept the differential the way it was or if you had to change gear ratios.

[@Mikkel-Hansen1987]

Hello. WOW a piece of work you are doing here, So nice!. I have a question, I have sat and looked through some of your videos and see that they all have AC as a charging option. Is it possible to do it and get it done so that you have the option of charging with DC?. You know Fast charging. Mr. Mikkel Hansen

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yes, we do conversions with CCS rapid charging, like this Land Rover Defender where you can we charged up a few times using CCS on the journey. 👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXnbgolprJZ7gaM

[@rushja]

great Merc, and you've binned the weak point of them! an electric Caterham style kit car would be awesome

[@MrDaveFisher]

I’d love to see a Manta B Berlinetta. Many years ago I converted one to a V8 Rover 4.2. My daily runner and weekend Drag racer.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Now there's a car from my childhood. 😎👌

[@MrDaveFisher]

@@ElectricClassicCars Bluey as the Manta was affectionately was featured in Fast Car, Street Machine and Max Power. My little claim to fame. I’m registered as blind now so I can’t drive. I cannot tell you how much your EV projects fascinate me. It’s all mind blowing stuff! Thank you 😎👍🏼

[@magnusshawn4698]

That’s such a beautiful car and a great conversion! Nice work! Also, any Lotus would be a good starting point for a conversation. As long as the weight can be balanced and kept in check.

[@julianpritchard2558]

Question regarding engine management lights . As the MOT states it cannot be illuminated , how do you get around this? I realise it only applies to “ modern “ cars !

[@iainmartin1015]

Great Build. How does the manual gearbox work with the electric motor, do you have a traditional flywheel and clutch or is it more complex than that.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yep, it has a traditional flywheel and clutch. You change gear just like in a petrol car just a lot less often due to the wide torque curve. 👍

[@tc7539]

Suggestions for electric hill-climb cars: Lotus Europa, Lightweight E-Type, 1930's Blower Bentley, TVR Wedge. The dual Hyper-9 motor set-up is really interesting! Can you do a three motor set-up? That would work in the 1930's Bentley.

[@spudproductions7606]

Europa is top of my list 👍

[@spaldi01]

Must be getting old love the 500SL. Would love to see a body chopped electric Imp go up the hill. Big power and lightweight

[@ElectricClassicCars]

There was one next to the Mini. It flew. 👍

[@briananthony4044]

I used to like the original Bambino and the Imp back in the day, but got a Mini. My first car at 15.

[@robholland6460]

Yes, cost £0 to fill but how much for the conversion? To a punter, probably £70K 😳🤔 Please correct me if I’m wrong.

[@spudproductions7606]

The charging benefits apply to any EV, not just a classic conversion. 👍😀

[@williamstachour4019]

Right. Whereas putting in a new ICE drivetrain would be free, right?

[@jeffreyrwilliams9345]

thank you

[@-LightningRod-]

i am sucj a big fan of Loton Park Hillclimbs,..and YOU too !

[@PCRoss2469]

MK1 Cortina or Escort with Lotus bits underneath. OR if you really want Sacrilegious, Renault Alpine A110

[@alanmoss4407]

I understand why you removed the Merc auto transmission, but unclear as to why you needed the manual gearbox? If electric motors deliver maximum torque from zero rpm then why not eliminate the gearbox altogether?

[@giulianomarco]

3:54 Electra Glide in Oak Green 😁

[@MattTester]

Looks like a great build, suits the waftmobile well. Is it viable to use 6th for cruising at high speeds or is that just pointless? Nice to see the Fiat Coupe in the back of the field shots too.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Waftmobile is a great description of it. 😎👌

[@2.3_44XD--]

Did you do the BMW 3.0 Csi from the 70s i think. That would be awesome

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yep. We’ve done one of those and yes, it was indeed awesome. Loved that car. 👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZLQgYKspriirq8si=GFpdkIs5r9CaoKWM

[@robertwestinghouse4098]

Love the video. It is so infectious.... I will do my 1989 Mercedes 190E....perhaps the same, but with reduction gear?? Would that work??

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yep, that would work but would need a motor with more torque and higher revving that the Hyper 9.

[@scraverX]

Maybe something JDM like... a 240 or 260Z with a pair of hyper 9's or a Tesla drive unit. Or maybe a 1600; might only need a single hyper 9 in the 1600 I don't know.

[@yolo-cars]

Great project! I wonder if electric Tesla "transmission" could be fitted into this SL?

[@ianmcgee9945]

Very nice, as always. But I'm curious. You say you have a battery pack where the spare wheel used to be. Are you not required to have a spare wheel in the UK anymore? I'm a bit sensitive to this as I had a flat tyre on my VW Jetta yesterday! Fortunately I do have a spare and know how to change it, so it wasn't too bad.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Nope. Most new cars haven't had spare wheels for decades.

[@ianmcgee9945]

@@ElectricClassicCars I may be wrong but I think you still need 'em here in Canada.

[@markyormark7747]

Yes but, Does the 500SL have a working clutch for that new 6 speed?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yes. 👍

[@billhill4479]

I've been thinking that an ev classic would be also perfect for home energy storage rather than buying a powerwall. A classic hardly gets driven so it could do house backup duties much of the time and the cost of the conversion is somewhat offset by not having to buy a power wall. Is this doable with one of ECC's conversions ?

[@briananthony4044]

Vehicle to load setup. Becoming more popular on new EVs too.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

We're developing a V2H system at the moment. 👍

[@julianmedeleanu8735]

@@ElectricClassicCars I have a w123 from 1979, fully restored. Are you interested in converting it to electric?

[@ross_12345]

Nice conversion and really suits the style of the old Merc. How come you went with a gearbox and not just direct drive?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks. There wasn't much room in the back where the diff goes to put a direct drive unit.

[@hummerbeats]

Thinking about converting my Mercedes W124 coupe due to ULEZ, such a shame I won’t be able to enjoy 300e 24v engine

[@iainansell5930]

ever thought about doing an ev kit for kit cars?

[@magpie6648]

Hi, love what you guys are doing yet how can you call it 'free' fuel? What's the cost of converting the car and installing the infrastruture to run everything?

[@spudproductions7606]

It’s free fuel when the car charged directly from the PV ( we had also included the pay back period for the purchase of the PV). This is the same for any EV not just a converted Classic. 👍😀

[@MonicaandMervyn]

Can you get a dimmer switch for them legs! 😎

[@EdWelch100]

Lovely Mercedes. What about a mk2 Jaguar for wafting about in in electric and leather. Hill climb, how about a Hillman Imp crazy ah!

[@mikejf4377]

Where do you find out the power from dual hyper9 motors?

[@jonathantaylor1998]

Hey Richard... You know how I was saying, on the other Smart Charging video (featuring this beautiful Mercedes) that you're pretty much alone in filling the EV convertible market niche...? I've just finished watching a new upload today where MINI have finally transplanted their EV drivetrain from the 3dr MINI Electric in to a 'one-off' convertible... presumably to gain customer interest... Soz, mate... 🤣

[@Watcheyes]

What is the price converting this mercedes? Around 10k, 20k punds? Thanks.

[@ElTurfStuff]

Could you make one of these rear wheel drive like the earlier models?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

This is RWD. 👍

[@brianfischer788]

This conversion used a Mazda manual gearbox rather than the original automatic. Did you install a clutch pedal? I have heard that you don't usually need to use the clutch pedal when shifting with electric power. Is that true? If so, why and do you adjust the regen differently for a geared drivetrain than for a direct drive?

[@olympus258]

It’s amazing what you doing, just a thought, can Land cruiser be converted to electric?

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yes. 👍

[@glennbastin3092]

What electric classic hillclimb car would I like to see? Well how about a Lotus 7 or Westfield type Clubman with a Hyper 9 motor ... awesome up the hill.

[@spudproductions7606]

Good one 👍👍

[@miesev5771]

You definitely have to build a hill climb race car sir! And race it.

[@spudproductions7606]

Check out the race car build episodes. 👍😀