Taking a classic car and converting to electric power seems to be gaining popularity with the old car crowd. Dukes Garage, a company that specializes in EV conversions, has introduced replica Porsche 356 eSpeedster and eSpyder electric cars.
Based out of Westminster, Colorado, Dukes Garage has made a business out of converting all sorts of cars to electric power, among them a classic Mustang convertible, several VW Bugs, and numerous Porsche. The eSpeedster and eSpyder will be their first “kit” car offering, with a price of $49,995, and a 110 mile range thanks to a lithium-ion battery pack and 39 kW electric motor. This electric Porsche will be surprisingly peppy, with a 6.7 second sprint from 0-60 mph, and running the ¼ mile in less than 15 seconds. The eSpeedster will have a top speed of around 90 mph too, and recharge in between six and eight hours. You also get a leather interior and an optional iPod-connecting radio.
The real key to this car is weight; this classic reproduction Porsche lacks much of the heavy modern safety equipment and unnecessary bells and whistles found on modern cars. Thus, a smaller battery pack can help it get much farther. And at under $50,000, it is less than half the price of a Tesla Roadster in arguably a much cooler looking package. Hell, I’m sold, but if you need more convincing, they’re also working on an electric ’75 VW MicroBus.
If you could convert any old car to electric power, what car would you choose? For me, it would probably be a 1967 Mercury Cougar, an offshoot of the Mustang but much cooler looking (at least to me!)
Source: Duke’s Garage
Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.