Revolutionizing Classics: How Ampere EV’s Atom Drive Turns Classic Trucks into EV Masterpieces

Jerome meets with Daniel Paul, COO at Southfield Classics, to scrutinize their awesome 1950s ChEVrolet trucks and with Martine Prouty, Business Development Manager at Ampere EV, to dissect the game-changing Atom Drive System fitted to their Factory Five 818 chassis-based prototype, showcased via a live build on the Legacy EV stand at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Now available through Legacy EV, this complete powertrain system significantly simplifies EV conversions - and powers Southfield Classics’ trucks and high-performance electrified classics.
Discover the fantastic truck from Southfield Classics: southfieldclass...
• Learn more about Atom Drive: ampereev.com/
• Explore Legacy EV’s offerings: www.evbuilders...
• Train to become an EV tech in the USA: legacyev.com/p...
• Train to become an EV tech in Europe:www.fellten.co...
AND… Subscribe for more epic EV builds, tech talks and behind-the-scenes stories!

[@Molishious]

Super cool electric pickup. I’m glad they are doing this and hope they are successful even though I’ll never be able to to afford one. I can see this branching off into other cool classic pickup and cars.

[@byrnc927]

Awesome range. No road trips, just cruise nights.

[@jeromeandre4915]

Now that's the ultimate 50's Chevy!

[@Michael-vv2pw]

Now it's only missing an internal combustion engine

[@OutRun_YT]

@@Michael-vv2pwor… you got the wrong channel! 😅

[@frankcoffey]

Do the Chevy SSR next! The 2003 and 2004 were underpowered anyway so no loss.

[@scubatrucker6806]

Badass 💚💚 truck

[@captainel7196]

I think hot rod guys would be interested in the chassis and electric set up. Only a few people are interested in the truck on top. You need to make it so you can put anybody on top of that chassis and 200+ price tag. I don’t see that happening in 2025 sorry.

[@OutRun_YT]

They are working on this options and are building one complete “skateboard chassis” as we speak. And they have a full order book for 2025.

[@gfbprojects1071]

Great idea. Love the vehicle. OEM EVs are gettng cheaper as production processes become more efficient. Leaving aside economies of scale, do you anticipate your prices might come down a bit as you dial in your processes?

[@OutRun_YT]

Yes price will come down, but conversions of classic will always be a niche market - not a mainstream option so we don't anticipate low-cost options anytime soon unfortunately

[@damham5689]

What about things like airbags and other required safety features required for new vehicles? Does basing it on an old truck style get around that ?

[@OutRun_YT]

In a nutshell it does.

[@woodwardmotors6758]

awesome 👌

[@OjaiBonsai]

Price break down would be nice

[@OutRun_YT]

They sell complete, brand new, turn-key, trucks so there is not really a breakdown to share - just like any oem.

[@mr.e8561]

Can it be used with a manual transmission?

[@OutRun_YT]

Not the way this system is designed as it gets rid of it. This is quicker, faster and more efficient (plus lighter) than a system repurposing the original manual box.

[@JeffGoike-m3e]

I have always wondered what sound mud makes when its landing after some paddle tires put it up in the air. I would like to build an electric powered mud digger know I'm used to 2500 horsepower and I think electric is well within the realm of being able to do this.

[@GreenTV.]

How about a simple turn-key for a Jeep Wrangler? We will design, build and sell them around the world!

[@davidgalea6113]

For 250k you can buy some of the rarest and greatest classic cars/trucks ever built. They will appreciate in value instead of depreciate and can be easily fixed.

[@OutRun_YT]

Interesting prediction and investment advice. Speak in 10 years

[@davidgalea6113]

@OutRun_YT Not investment advice its just a simple fact. Most classic car values have increased and most of the EV stuff has depreciated in value very quickly. Like I said, for 250k you can buy some of the most desirable/in demand classics. That won't change in 10 years time unless they somehow manage to outlaw classics from public roads..

[@OutRun_YT]

​@@davidgalea6113 you can't really compare the depreciation of an OEM EV to a converted-to-EV classic -it's like comparing the depreciation of a new gas car to a classic car. They're entirely different animals. Plus, we don't buy these cars to make a quick buck or capitalize on them. We buy them to drive and enjoy! There are way better investments for financial returns than cars!

[@davroscaan1318]

Oof, mid 250s for the truck... I guess I'm sticking with my petrol engine.

[@OutRun_YT]

To be fair any 100%new everything truck build will set you around that mark.

[@davidgalea6113]

For 250k you could buy some of the rarest and most beautiful classic cars/trucks ever made, something thats actually exciting, that will increase in value over time.

[@Iowa599]

Neat truck... did you know that every pound of body fat is about 7000 calories, or 10 Big Macs?

[@markshearer1831]

Not Hot Rod, nice product but it has no ghosts it's a brand new product

[@OutRun_YT]

Well the body is original on this green one.

[@markshearer1831]

@@OutRun_YT Cong rates but that not what these guys are selling. I didn't say the product isn't cool its just not a hot rod in my mind, others will think differently. but this is a product, it a low volume manufactured product for the automotive market. It has it's place and I'm sure there is a market, I'm just not a potential customer it has no appeal to me.

[@Spiritof_76]

Starting at $40,000 per vehicle for the system. That's a lot of gasoline fill-ups.

[@OutRun_YT]

You need to compare apple to apple a brand new Hi performance LS, a brand new transmission, tank, exhaust system, etc etc then gasoline fill up. That said no one said it was a budget option.

[@nevco8774]

So this KZbinr left Out of spec renew and now has a new channel for himself?

[@bunchofcells]

Thumbnail needs some change

[@OutRun_YT]

In which sense?

[@msw7021]

How Ampere EV’s Atom Drive destroys Classic Trucks turning them into worthless EV disasters

[@OutRun_YT]

These are brand-new trucks built from scratch (brand new panels on production trucks). How could they “destroy” classic trucks? Plus you’ve clearly not tested one. Enjoy our EV channel 🤣