For years now, we’ve been seeing more and more antique cars converted to electric propulsion. What was once very rare is becoming increasingly common, and this trend will grow over the coming decades.
Electric conversions are generally costly.
The practice will likely grow over the coming decades.
The cost of conversions will decrease significantly over time.
The magic of a classic car often lies in its gas engine, but as the years go by, some models will become difficult to restore due to a lack of parts and expertise.
In short, electric conversion represents an interesting solution. As a bonus, it offers clear advantages, including reduced maintenance and lower operating costs.
The problem, however, is that currently, the electric conversion of an old model is costly. It can vary depending on the project’s scope, but we’re talking tens of thousands of dollars when the bill doesn’t exceed $100,000 or $200,000.
That’s what makes the following story very interesting and what gives hope for the future. A guy managed to complete the electric conversion of an old 1962 Mercury Comet for about $6,000 US, or about $10,000 Canadian, using a 2014 Nissan LEAF that had reached the end of its useful life.
If you want to know everything, you can watch the conversion video from the This Old Jalopy channel. Otherwise, here are the essentials.
The author of the conversion bought a wrecked 2014 Nissan LEAF for $3,000 US. What was interesting was that its high-voltage system, including the battery, inverter, and electric motor, remained functional.
An additional $900 US was needed for the controller that enables communication between Nissan’s high-voltage components and the battery management system. A few other expenses were necessary, such as wiring and welding materials, bringing the bill to around $6,000 US.
Certain expenses were not included in the $6,000 US amount, namely wheels, tires, and suspension parts, among others.
We understand the idea, however, which is the possibility of completing an electric conversion at a lower cost with a “donor” vehicle acquired at a low price. You also need to factor in the expertise to perform the conversion, which is another matter entirely. Again, the goal was to show that a reasonably priced conversion is achievable.
Photo – This Old Jalopy YouTube ChannelIt wasn’t without its challenges, however. Considerable work was required to adapt some components to restore this model’s original rear-wheel-drive mode. The 2014 Nissan LEAF was a front-wheel-drive car. They therefore had to mount the electric motor on the rear axle, which required some modifications.
The LEAF’s battery, consisting of 48 modules and offering a capacity of 24 kWh, was installed under the hood. As for the charging port, it found its place at the very spot where the fuel filler door used to be.
Photo – This Old Jalopy YouTube ChannelAs for range, let’s remember that the LEAF offered around 160 kilometres (99 miles). The owner estimates he can cover 126 km (78 miles) with his electric Comet.
That’s not much, but for this type of model, it’s sufficient.
More importantly, it shows that the future will offer plenty of possibilities, as Hyundai Kona EVs and other newer models with more than 400 km of range end up in junkyards with still-functional electric systems.
This type of conversion is likely to become very common in the future.
