Electric vehicles are multiplying on our roads at high speed. The subjects concerning them are also omnipresent in the mores of Quebecers, who buy proportionately more EVs than anyone else – in Canada as among our neighbors. from South. Knowing this, it is only a matter of time before these vehicles are subject to modifications by enthusiasts.
There are a few enthusiasts like Guillaume André (Ingenext) who convert gasoline vehicles into electric ones, but the great achievements can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Passing through California a few weeks ago, I stopped in the town of San Clemente where a large gathering of vintage, sports and exotic cars is held every Saturday morning. A weekly meeting for all types of car enthusiasts, taking place for a few hours in the morning.
This event called South OC Cars and Coffee takes place in the parking lot of a shopping center, located in front of the ocean. The atmosphere is therefore unique, and the landscape has something to do with it.
On site, electric cars are usually non-existent, apart from the Polestar 2, since the manufacturer is one of the few sponsors of the event. However, this time I was able to see what, to this day, might be considered the most charming electric vehicle in history. A 1965 Volkswagen Samba Bus 21-window fully restored then converted to electric, by an owner visibly proud of his achievement.
Having exchanged a few words with the latter, he told me that he had built it only for fun. Because although the vehicle is functional, he would not see himself driving it every day, feeling too unsafe behind the wheel. And even less on the highway! And for good reason: once seated, our knees are literally a few inches from the metal “muzzle” of the vehicle, free of any reinforcement…
Its owner therefore enjoys driving around the town of San Clemente where he lives, appearing from time to time at this gathering to introduce his racing car to enthusiasts. On board are all the aesthetic artifices that make the charm of this type of vehicle, but also a binder that illustrates the technical diagrams necessary for its manufacture.
In short, the vehicle uses cells taken from Tesla Model 3 batteries, which made it possible to create a 28 kWh battery. The power is of course routed to the rear wheels. This battery, which is only rechargeable on a level 2 terminal or on 120 volts, provides approximately 75 miles of autonomy (120 kilometers). In California, the cold weather affects it little, the temperature being always mild.
On the engine side, this Volkswagen swaps its 1.6-liter four-cylinder and 50 horsepower for a NetGain brand electric motor, producing 95 horsepower. A modest power, but almost twice as much as the original. Transmission-free, it manages to deliver decent power, with its owner estimating 0-60 mph in 12 or 13 seconds.
The cost of converting to electricity turned out to be relatively reasonable according to the owner, who took some time to find the right formula. However, he admits to having injected more than 100,000 USD into the restoration of the truck itself, for which he is today refusing any offer.
Because although his vehicle limits him in his movements, he is very proud of it. And with good reason. An absolutely magnificent vehicle, and which will no doubt be even more so when parked next to the future Volkswagen ID.Buzz, which should land with us in 12 to 18 months.