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Thread: A Concept Project

  1. #1

    A Concept Project

    Not sure if this has been referred too before, but happened to drop on it by accident. Thought some of you may be interested.

    https://www.behance.net/gallery/1437...a-Vision-Alpha
    "Why make it easy when you can struggle"

  2. #2
    SEC Member Stratos Fear's Avatar
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    Re: A Concept Project

    Nice rendition - looks like that body might fit an LB chassis !

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    Re: A Concept Project

    I read the story about Lancia dealers struggling to shift the Stratos and it?s not like you see the Emira or even the Boxster up the sales charts and Alfa pulled the plug on the 4c.

    As this is a site with more than a few Hawk/LB readers I guess we should hope a Craig White or Gerry Hawkridge of the future can develop a carbon tub kit to which drivers can add in Fiat electricals cos at the moment, honestly, the makers of electric cars seem to reach for the ugly stick. I?m investing a lot of hope in Renault not ruining the R5E Alpine concept.
    Last edited by AndrewF; 26-01-2023 at 03:01.

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    SEC Member Stratos Fear's Avatar
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    Re: A Concept Project

    I'm still struggling with the idea of having to lug a tonne of batteries around - however the chassis is configured. I cant help thinking that the technology isnt there yet - I think we're still at the Model T Ford stage of electric car development (whatever happended to epicyclic gearboxes and central clutch pedals?) - rather than the final iteration and that we will no doubt see some more ingenious attempts to resolve the weight and the aesthetics into an attractive package but it will still be a compromise for a year or two yet.
    Electric kits seem to be a very specialist area at the moment but no doubt there will be some interesting kit developments in the near future - and maybe a need for specialist training before we are allowed to be let loose on high voltage cabling.
    Last edited by Stratos Fear; 27-01-2023 at 13:27.

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    Re: A Concept Project

    Quote Originally Posted by Stratos Fear View Post
    I'm still struggling with the idea of having to lug a tonne of batteries around - however the chassis is configured. I cant help thinking that the technology isnt there yet - I think we're still at the Model T Ford stage of electric car development (whatever happended to epicyclic gearboxes and central clutch pedals?) - rather than the final iteration and that we will no doubt see some more ingenious attempts to resolve the weight and the aesthetics into an attractive package but it will still be a compromise for a year or two yet.
    Electric kits seem to be a very specialist area at the moment but no doubt there will be some interesting kit developments in the near future - and maybe a need for specialist training before we are allowed to be let loose on high voltage cabling.
    I?ll you one thing. I?ve been looking for an electric motor company to refurbish / rebuild all the electrics I?ve been amassing for my build. All that comes up is companies, 10s of them already all wanting to convert classics to electric power. Frankly I think taking a motor out of a classic whether it be a B series in an MGB or a 308 Dino it?s absolute vandalism. I can just about get my head round having a new series Fiat 500e to go to the shops but taking motoring heritage that is doing so very little harm and wrecking it.

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    SEC Member Guy Mayers's Avatar
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    Re: A Concept Project

    Did you read about the poor sod who had a classic Mini converted to electric? Picked up by DVLA when a change was submitted, queried and told to submit for an IVA test? Failed due to a hole cut in the bodywork somewhere. And to add insult to injury reversion to original power wouldn't allow him to keep the original registration... ?20k spent and written off apparently! Absolute lunacy from pen pushers!

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    SEC Member Kenny m's Avatar
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    Re: A Concept Project

    Guy this is a quote from the owner of the Mini you ar referring to.

    As some of you know, I restored a 1960 Mini ditching the 850cc engine for an electric motor.
    Unfortunately, DVLA said that because I drilled holes in the boot, it is now a modified kit-car.
    They couldn't fault the conversion, but due to the holes my car needs an IVA test which it could never pass.
    They refused to allow the holes to be welded up so this is terminal, the car is scrap.

    This has now been reported in the press a little, by those who actually believe that it is real (it is a little like ''I married Elvis on the moon").
    My MP has written 3 times and been fobbed off 3 times.

    The British Classic car EV industry is in big trouble and trying to get a liaison going with the dept of Transport to establish a code of some sort to allow them to stay in business in light of this DVLA idiocy.

    The holes I drilled were to safely mount the batteries. The conversion was designed by a Doctor of engineering and a degree qualified engineer, but over ruled as unsafe by a bureaucrat.

    IMHO if DVLA get away with twisting their old rules to apply to the new issue of classic car EV conversions, then what is to stop them from popping up any car show, finding a car with a hole drilled, rusted or otherwise, and insisting it should have an IVA and then a Q-plate.

    So if you or anyone you know is planning a conversion, be careful. My lovely Mini no longer has a registration and I'm not even allowed to convert it back to petrol, even if I thought that was ethical in light of the planet pollution problem!

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    SEC Member Guy Mayers's Avatar
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    Re: A Concept Project

    Thanks Kenny - looks like it gets worse!

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    SEC Member Stratos Fear's Avatar
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    Re: A Concept Project

    Isnt there a Trade body that could plead the case on the part of the Kit car / restomod (dare I use this word?) industry ?

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    SEC Member Stratos Fear's Avatar
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    Re: A Concept Project

    I can just about get my head round having a new series Fiat 500e to go to the shops but taking motoring heritage that is doing so very little harm and wrecking it.
    So you're not a fan of Vintage Voltage then? I find it quite tempting when I see immaculate P6 Rovers selling for 3 or 4 grand - and then maybe to convert one to electric for another ?20-25k . What's not to like ? A P6 or similar is hardly a DB6 is it?

    Having been through the IVA process 3 times in the last year (twice unexpectedly !) it is challenging but not impossible . The Mini owner should persevere.
    Last edited by Stratos Fear; 01-02-2023 at 13:39.

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