The Enfield 8000

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The first is this Enfield 8000. This is first on this list because it’s quirky, crazy, and you’ve probably never heard of the Enfield. It also technically was already electric. The Enfield 8000 was produced in the 70s and fewer than 120 were ever made. At the time it was produced it had a small aluminum body with an 8bhp electric motor and 8 12v lead batteries. So this thing was really just a little go-kart disguised as an actual car. Its top speed was 48mph and only had a range of 55 miles. 

Jonny Smith saw something more from this car. He saw the potential to make the ultimate tiny electric car that could handle itself at the drags, and as a quiet daily driver. He was able to take some modern EV technology and restomod the old Enfield. He calls it the Flux Capacitor.

This car is right up my alley. In fact, this is what I’m trying to do with my ‘89 Pao. But let’s look at some of the specs he’s got. The motors are a twin series mounted 9-inch DC Current Racing motors. Max rpm of 5000rpms and it’s a direct drive car. It’s got an upgraded suspension with AVO adjustable shocks, custom rose-jointed four-link rear suspension with narrowed Ford 9-inch LSD back axle with 6-inch prop shaft, bolt-on rear wheelie bars and some new bushings. 

You can find out more details about the build here on Jonny’s site

Tesla Powered Nissan R32 Skyline

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This R32 Skyline makes this list because it’s an R32 Skyline. I’m willing to bet there are a bunch of JDM purists who may not see eye to eye with me on this one. But a Tesla powered R32? Come on, that’s pretty cool. 

This R32 was made by the people over at ZeroEV in the UK. They make a lot of electric vehicle conversion videos on their Youtube channel and have a lot of different projects that are all worth checking out. This build came to be from the mind of Chris Hazell who wanted to make an EV Skyline that could drift. From the videos, you can tell he succeeded. The rear end of the Skyline is a complete rear subframe from a Tesla and houses the drive unit. The motor makes 400kw but with Chris’ tweaks it makes up to 600 horse. That’s a lot of power. The batteries come from a Chevy Volt.

Teslonda

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The Teslonda went viral two years ago when a video of it going zero to sixty in 2.48 seconds was put on Youtube. The car is a 1981 Honda Accord with an electric powertrain. It’s Tesla powered as its name suggests. The battery is from a Chevy Volt with 16kwh of capacity. Jim (the owner) has got quite a process to get the car going. The dash all runs on Raspberry Pi which means there’s a lot of programming, as well as a lot of custom options. It may be my favorite part of the car. When Jim flips on the car and it all loads up, there’s a high score page that looks like it’s from a Sega Genesis with actual 0-60 times from people who’ve driven it. It then switches to a nicely designed 8-bit digital gauge cluster. There’s a massive control center in the center console that the owner, Jim Belosic, explains in the video below. 

The car is hypercar fast and it looks like it could be in Mad Max. So it gets my vote as one of the craziest.

Tesla Bimmer

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John Volk had already done one LS swap on his 3-Series BMW, when he decided to do something more wild, an EV conversion. Much of the work that Volk did on this very cool E30 was custom. Mating parts from the BMW itself with GM and Tesla pieces. The Tesla Bimmer features GM batteries with a Tesla motor, an inverter from a Chevy Volt, and more. 

It was a big task for Volk, as it is for many people who willingly sojourn on the electric vehicle conversion journey. The license plate with “Bad Idea” expresses the sort of frustration that comes with a project like this. But it’s not a bad idea, it’s a really good one. Now, this E30 is running on electricity, and it’s really, really fast. What’s so crazy about this conversion is that Volk put so much attention to the details in this car. Without considering the engineering feat that is converting a car, this car in particular is just so clean, and in such good shape.

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STARD Ford Fiesta ELECTRX

Admittedly I already like the Ford Fiesta a lot. The Fiesta St is already a cool car but StarD (Stohl Advanced Research and Development) located in Austria has given the world a look at what is capable for electric rallycross. This is an all-electric 4WD, 450 kW (612hp), and a top speed of 140mph. Although probably very expensive, STARD will be selling their powertrain kit for electric rallycross.

Porsche E-RWB

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I don’t need to explain why this one is on the list. The very first Rauh-Welt Begriff Porsche 911 is the most powerful Porsche 911 ever. The E-RWB has a Tesla Model S Performance drivetrain. The 563 HP motor uses an LG 32 kWh battery. It also has a Quaife Tesla Model S LSD. 

The original car is a ‘77 Porsche 911, but has been given the RWB styling treatment with a Backdate Body Kit, a Long Hood conversion, and some ivory paint from a Porsche 1957. It’s sitting on 17” BBS RS wheels with some meaty Toyo Tires. It also has such a nice interior with Burberry inserts on the seats from a Porsche 356 Speedster.

Bisimoto Porsche 935

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If you follow the Hoonigans, or Bisomoto himself you may have already seen his wild Porsche 935. It’s the first 935 conversion to this level. A lot about the car you can tell from the styling. This was designed to be fast, and designed to be noticed. It was originally a 1986 Porsche 911, which Bisi put a body from Kremer Racing, it has a 475 kW, 635hp electric motor with components from EV West. It’s got a set of Brixton Forged wheels and StopTEch brakes. 

Such a wild car.

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The Mk1 Cortina

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The Ford Cortina was produced and sold in the UK and was the best selling car of the 1970s. It’s a very pretty sedan that Charged Garage in Brisbane, Australia has converted to electric. It’s a 1965 Mk1 1500 four-door. It’s got a 93-mile range. It’s got a Hyper9 electric motor and is powered by Tesla batteries. I like this conversion for its uniqueness.

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Dowsett’s Comet

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This is a collaboration between Art Anstead’s Dowsetts Classic Cars and EV West. Art has described as a “brand new (but classic) hand made electric sportscar”. The original Comet was developed with an LS3 V8 gasoline engine, but now is using a Tesla motor in the rear. The team is still working on this car and it will be interesting to see where it goes. It’s a beautiful car though.

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DMC Electric Delorean

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After working on the Teslonda, Jacob Graham found another home for an electric motor in this AC/DMC Delorean. It was initially in terrible shape with a blown motor, a bad wiring harness, bad clutch, and was virtually undrivable. Essentially a full rebuild was needed. Jacob first built a 250kw inverter to drive a Nissan Leaf motor. Once that worked he installed the motor a Leaf battery back, and the inverter into the car.

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Conclusion

What cars would you like to see converted to electric? With the right kind of money (which I sure don’t have) anything is possible. Which one of these were your favorite? I think the Enfield has my heart. It’s wild.