1958, say hello to 2023!
Here’s the engine bay of our newest Electric Bugeye Sprite “FrogE,” followed the power plant for AN5L 501, the first production Bugeye Sprite (restored to factory-correct standards), and “Gumby,” my own personal expression of how to power a Bugeye Sprite… take your pick (we’ll build it any way you like).
We handed Terry an entire skid full of electric car parts and pieces, and invited him to build us an electric car. That’s exactly what he’s doing.
In these pictures, you can see the results. Kenny built some stout mounts, and Terry is now making it happen, and soon the electrons will flow. Like a kid on Christmas morning with a new boxed train set, he’s been building a wonderful diorama all week long.
I would like to think an electric car kit would be an easy thing to put together and sell, but at this point in the evolution of the conversion industry, we have a long way to go. Without a master technician like Terry, I’m not convinced electric car kits are a reality for an average DIY consumer. We’d much prefer to convert your oil leaker here; in fact, we’ll be starting on a ’74 Midget next, and if you’d like us to convert your classic, give us a call and we will be happy to discuss the particulars. That said, we are working on making a kit that adds the necessary pieces so that the average sports car owner has a fighting chance. But it’s complicated.
EV classic car conversions will be an important part the future of our company, as is restoration and modification of gas powered classic cars (just like 501, which we are also out driving around, restored to perfectly accurate, original ICE specs).
I’m certain that there is a large contingent of petrol heads out there who hate these electric things, but at the same time, we’re just delighted to be able to offer a different point of entry for anybody who loves old English cars and wants modern convenience. And convenient they are- this is the ultimate, reliable antique British car. While it still has a few obvious original systems, all the new battery stuff is designed to work forever without a whole lot of maintenance. In fact, we’re using Tesla batteries and expect great results from them. In these photos, you can see the electric heater that we’ve built into a Smiths heater box, on top of a modified original heater shelf.
You can also see the battery disconnect/kill switch under the dashboard that allows us to shut off and pin the switch in the off position for service and safety. At the moment, there are no batteries in the car, so nothing is live, but we’re laying out all the systems and pieces. I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a very tidy and clean layout. We’ve designed this, our third electric vehicle, so that it can be serviced in the future should any thing need replacement. Quick-disconnect fittings will be in place on the battery boxes, should they ever need to come out of the car.
Smooth power, no vibration, no leaks and no carbuetors. Do you need the distinctive exhaust note? Time will tell!
This is a “charged” topic (pun intended). Like it or not, EVs are the next big thing in the automotive world. Perhaps your neighbor just got an EV, and maybe you’ll be getting one soon too. And EV media hype is likely to stay “amped up” for the foreseeable future, as more and more new EVs come on the market.
Maybe this is exactly why classic cars should stay gas-powered… to stay “classic.” And there is a large group of consumers who fully intend to keep their ICE-powered old car and the exhaust note that comes with every gas-powered vintage car. I own about nine gas burners in my little collection, and I’m with you!
But hear me out, because I believe we should welcome EV classic cars with open arms, also. Our company is still very committed to great gas-powered restorations, parts and modifications, and we expect that gas engines will occupy most of our energies for the foreseeable future. But we also believe that EVs are one of the best ways we can produce the most reliable classic cars on the road. The motors are bulletproof. There’s no transmission to jump out of gear or leak oil. No carburetor issues. And no clutch issues for clients with knee, hip or body challenges… one-pedal driving is easy on the body.
[Read more…] about Is an EV classic car right for you?
This was a big week for us on many levels. We were finally able to take delivery of the first production Bugeye Sprite, AN5L501 (you can read more about that here). But we were also able to put the finishing touches on one of our electric FrogE Bugeye conversions.
We’ve made dozens of improvements on this car in the last four weeks after it sold; it’s superbly rewarding for us to be able to have this wonderful product that retains the DNA of a Bugeye Sprite, but with an extra-smooth, silent, leak-free power plant. It’s quiet, it’s calm, and it’s quick. It was fun to take what we love most about Bugeyes and add to it a whole new electric drivetrain. This is the best electric car we have ever built.
[Read more…] about Electric Bugeye Sprite New Owner Orientation Video!NOW SOLD to a client of ours who is making a surprise gift! Thank you and congratulations!
It’s time for us to make some space in our crowded shop, and we’ve got so many projects moving forward that our fully restored electric car is not getting much use. I figured it would be nice to send it to a new home. Many people have inquired about kits and about having us build an electric Sprite for them and you might find that buying a completed car is a more practical and ultimately more cost-effective way to go.
We built “Frog-E” as the ultimate prototype for electric classic Sprite conversions. It has taken me up to 109 miles an hour with no shortage of speed in reserve, and it’s delightfully balanced with a 50-50 weight distribution courtesy of the fiberglass nose. In fact, the net weight of the car is about 50 pounds greater than a steel Stock Bugeye, so weight distribution is better and weight is minimally impacted by the electric conversion. Frog-E’s range is about 100 miles, the torque is smooth, ample, and delicious, and the ramp-up of power is moderated by the computerized controller, so there is no risk of breaking the driveline due to stomping on the “gas” pedal.
[Read more…] about Electric Bugeye For Sale! With Driving Video!We are excited to see our Frog-E electric featured in Automobile magazine’s website this week, click here to give it a read!
