VW Beetle converted to electric in a day
Вставка
- Опубліковано 3 січ 2021
- We managed to convert this classic VW Beetle to electric in a day using our bolt-in conversion kit. Motor - Hyper9 (120hp), 25kWh Tesla battery pack giving 80 to 90 mile range, 6.6kW charger, disc brakes on the front.
www.electricclassiccars.com - Авто та транспорт
Does anyone else find it crazy shocking how clean the engine and overall body of that car was?
I'm guessing they started with a clean older restoration, and pressure-washed the engine compartment and underside before it went into the workshop.
What bothers me is that SOMEONE paid good money and worked pretty hard to make that bettle pristine and they are now hacking it up to make it electric. 😭
@@denrizza Nah, I am sure someone will purchase the engine. I have had my bug since '97 and gave it a lot of thought, I don't think I would miss the 1600 much anymore, it is pretty slow already and it stinks, for a short distance driving vehicle converting sounds like a pretty good deal.
I could understand if the Bug was a beat up… convert to electric and do some body work.
But to take this immaculate looking showroom clean car and start tearing it down seems too much.
No longer a classic car
Love the "Safety Squint" on the guy with the grinder. Top notch.
He's wearing safety glasses, you blind sheep...
I was worried for him at first but them he closed his eyes most of the way. Phew.
@@Tao_Tology - Yes, luckily, eyelids conform to standards for high impact projectiles.
Man, I love the old school filling station tower. Makes me want one for my garage.
Great job! That doner beetle is so clean, what a great example to futureproof.
That engine pulled out looks gorgeous too 😳
I just noticed that too. Absolutely mint.
Will not go to waste, plenty of Beetles need an engine.
That car is gorgeous! Period!!😁
As far as I know, they usually sell the engine to other people who want it.
A dirty ICE
I was working at a VW dealership in Sacramento back in the early 70's. A man brought in his 1964 beetle that had been converted. Had the lead acid automotive batteries just behind the rear seat in the open space. The electric motor was actually an aircraft generator. He had a charging setup in the engine compartment. You switched the ignition key to the run position and the generator/motor would start. Push in the clutch and stuff it in gear and away you go. Pretty slick. Wherever he went people would be curious so they let him charge it there. Fairly simple compared to this one if the video.
That's the only way to go , a hydro turbine would be just as good.
Think on this hey come and charge at my place ....oh yeh anotherlot of free electrickery woooooo hoooooo cost me nothin to run every other bastardpays me ...cheap electric cars have no soul 😈😈😈
New VWs have much better safety features dual air bags head restraints also improved seat belts I love the 65 66 67 year bugs but I wouldn't want to be in a crash still nice automobile
One of my grandad's friends converted a Fiat 500 around the same time. It was slow and did not have a very good range, but it worked good for short trips.
I own a 1979 MGB Roadster. Be cool to convert my B to electric. Nice work on the Bug!
Hunter is awesome. Busy man, but he is always immensely helpful when he can be reached.
So true!
Oh my...I am COVETOUS! My first car was a 1971 'Super Beetle' (curved front windscreen and McPherson Strut front suspension)...looking back, I have a fair amount of nostalgia for the old thing...Just thinking that, I would certainly consider electrifying it - if I had it in my little stable of cars today!. Wonderful job. Wish you guys were closer...I'm in Toronto...!! Cheers!
That has to be one of the cleanest old VW's I've ever seen 😳 no grease or dirt on anyone's hands at all!!!
Yeh, I'm queasy just watching them f up a beauty like that, why couldn't they have electrified a Golf or a Rabbit?
No, honestly, that's a GREAT build! Good job.
@@69mag 🥲
@@69mag not a VW fan. but that car was clean and perfect. they wasted a good car, when I bet there were plenty of worn out cars that really could have used a new lease on life. neat, but it would have been better with a less perfect project car
@@user-tg5rt2hk4e Thanks!
And there won't be any grease and oil in the future either.
I always found it easier to leave the muffler and tailpipes on,they make great handles to maneuver the engine in and out
I would always drop the engine on to a Radio-Flyer wagon and then get a friend to help lift the car over the engine.
@@JoeHamelin It's the same for the van as well.
It killed me. It took three guys to remove the engine. I used to do it by myself in the front lawn, then jack up the car and push it off the jack to get it over the engine so I could work on it. Necessity is "mother." LOL
@@spydieme too... takes about 20 mins .. by myself.. lol
Right on. I once changed the engine in my 58 in 45 minutes. Just myself and a floor jack. There are only about 4 wires, one throttle cable, One fuel line, and four bolts involved.
Well done! That tidy work and finegeling the massive motor in the back was perfectly done. Great teamwork
Thanks 👍
I'd like for you to revisit this project and see how quickly it can be done now knowing the knowledge you have attained from doing it before.
My first car - 1962 VW ragtop beetle - has been hibernating in my garage awaiting this tech to become efficient and affordable. I think it's time is coming soon.
yup, buying a beetle now before the tech gets cheap an d everyone does it .. .then beetles and porsches will become bloody rare
Yeah. Just a couple of decades and conversion kits will reach a more practical price level.
@@gsilva220 teslas new battery style will change the market a lot. The Chinese are currently on the graphene batteries, which will also be very interesting as they allow extreme charging speeds. Finally the solid state battery will make everything cheap fast and a lot less dangerous but that's probably 2035+... We'll see, but I can't wait to have a converted classic.
@@firebladeflow I don't really care about Tesla, because their cheapest car right now costs 38k, and their idea of an "affordable" car will have things like a body-sealed battery pack. They say their batteries cost them close to $100, but Tesla only sells complete cars, not batteries/conversion kits.
What I care about is that college student that had their '05 Honda blow up on them. Electric should be the best option here, but anything beyond a used DC forklift motor will cost them well into 5 figures
@@gsilva220 I'm hoping sooner. A professional kit for the cost of a motor would be a hot seller. I know I'd buy one.
The world will need this thing, we still could drive our same car. Awesome.
@Abel Dan Duran the idea is awesome too, imagine that we don't need to scrap our old car or buy the "tesla" but is enough to convert/replace with this "engine" and we can still drive it.
@Abel Dan Duran we hope that the technology in the future can solve the problem and making more efficient, the batteries and so on..
@Abel Dan Duran I think so, but soon we have to decide the option about the renewal energy.
I had two Beetles. One I paid $100 it was a blast and one I bought new. The green paint job on yours is beautiful.
What color green would you call that?
I always wanted to convert my classic VW Bus, but couldn't find anyone locally who would do it. Not sorry I sold it, but this video did put a smile on my face. Cheers. :o)
This lady is just amazing. All the positive attributes have already been mentioned in the comments. I can't think of anything new to say about it. I can only pay my incredible respect.
All the best from Berlin, Germany👍
I love how they got right to it... many channels have to fluff the content by doing intros and other shit and then repeat the same content DURING the video... this guy got right to it. Winning.
Spending two minutes telling us what we already knew from the title. Then another three explaining why they want to unclog a drain, or something obvious.
@@brianhaygood183
Exactly... so it is great to se guys like these that got right to it. Some intros are way too long.
And specially this videos don't have the annoying sound effects most videos with GOOD content add to the narration; THAT ruins the good content.
@@brianhaygood183 the difference between European and American presenters. From what I've experienced, most Americans love hearing themselves talk and will give a thesis on why they want to do even the most trivial job.
I like to try working on my own vehicles to save money and learn how to fix them, huge confidence booster too. Your welcome 🌞🇺🇸
@@juliadplume3097
You "would like to" work on your own vehicles".... who or what's stopping you?? I used to dismantle all sorts of home appliances to get to the electric motors, I would put all the pieces and screws etc on a table and just watch how incredible it was that you can put them together again and work... with cars is something similar, just get an old car and get to it with tools, it WILL NOT WORK the first few times, what of torques and what not, but eventually it will work, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, nothing stops anyone from doing it, learning.
I always thought my 1973 SuperBeetle would have been a good candidate for an electric conversion. Ditto the two VW buses I owned. That was before there was an industry and support so it would have been a project for me as an electrical engineering student. Even with the relatively heavy and low power motors of the day, I'd have done it if the battery energy storage density was twice what it was back then, but those lead acid batteries were heavy and not good for many discharge cycles. Lithium batteries have enabled us to have electric cars.
Are you being paid to support government propaganda?
Wait till those solid states become available. Thats what i am waiting for on my 1997 Citroën Xantia. Want a 200 hp motor in it, with those batteries where the tank now is,and some in the front
Very impressive chaps. ONE day conversion! I felt your happiness. Have a few Ale's on me and enjoy the new BUG.
I got $1,000 for my broken down 1972 Flintstones Volkswagen in 1990. I called it that because it had a rusted out floorboard and you could see the road beneath you. I saw it a year later and it had been completely restored. It was so shiny and beautiful.
The parts coming off look pristine!!
That’s a gorgeous little car … I love that color.
This is excellent work. Great project for putting a new twist on a classic car. Now it’s time for the flux capacitor mod for the Delorean.
That's on clean little beetle! Hurts to see such a nice little engine removed.
It’s all the better for it.
That engine is not nice
Forget the gas engine
If the body is still good and can be converted for future use, isn't that good for the environment? Not a junker, just needs to be fixed up.
They'll be putting it back if energy bills continue to rise...it now costs more to charge a car than fill it with petrol....that's great news isn't it.
Great teamwork and commitment.
Well done all involved
Great job guys! It was a pleasure watching, thank you for sharing!
I watched a friend in Germany in 1970, change out a VDub donk in 40 min! Included a big time cleanup of the bay, I couldn't believe he got it out in 4.5 min! using just a Jack --- no hoist! But then the engine you are pulling looks brand new! wouldn't want to scratch the sump!
Wow, excitig and a great job guys. I had my first car in 1976, a VW Beetle from 1956, and I paid 300 Dutch guilders for it. I had a sand back in the front for a better handling.
That's one serious video production you have there. I had a 65 and 71 beetle, I'd love to have the electric beetle, one day
Beautiful colour and stunning condition 😮
Respect for your work.
I think it needs the tailpipes back on hooked up to blow bubbles on demand.
I had 5 of these when a teenager....my friends and I could swap out the motor in 30 minutes....3 bolts (if I remember correctly) and the wiring harness....that's it. Had 3 that I drove to the ground with the other 2 as parts cars. 1966-1969 models. Totally utilitarian vehicle.
I had a 67 Bug custom set up where a buddy and I could drop the motor, drag it back 20 feet from the car, push it back under and have it reinstalled, started up and reversed the car the same 20 feet in under 3 minutes. Quick disconnect plugs for the alternator wiring, a slip fit throttle cable, a finely tapered input shaft with equally chamfered splines on the clutch disc and greased bolts for engine to bell housing connection. This was set up strictly for the 2 man engine pull competitions at shows and races but I quit after my partner missed his shift and instead of backing up 20 feet, he hit first and launched 5 feet forward into the concrete barrier between the old return road and the near lane at the old OCIR drag strip in SoCal. Nothin quite like losin the challenge and your dignity all in under 5 minutes.
4 bolts
Still have my 73 Super Beetle. I had several….63, 65, 68, 73, and 74. The love of the sound of the engine, and the smell is why I love the.
@@beefsoda1 Always wondered why I had a bolt remaining.
Funny how we long term beetle owners became so good at removing the engines. Never seem to do that on my daily runners these days 😜
That's a really clean beatle 👌
Very cool! I converted my VW to 'Flintstone' power in a couple hours! That VW looks brand new. The damn thing is clean!! I remember back in the 1970s when Beetles just about ruled the highways here in America. You watch a 1970s episode of 'Adam-12' and VW Bugs are everywhere!
Great job ! Great video ! I had a VW Beetle in the 1970s and it was the most fun to drive vehicle I've ever driven. I sure miss it. Congratulations ! What you did was impressive !
I can honestly say I miss every one of my Volkswagens and I had pretty much every model except for the thing of course then you've got your sciroccos and your rabbits which I didn't really consider those as real Volkswagens if you know what I mean
My great uncle Arthur Farrall drove an electric beetle he converted in the 1970s. There's a building named for him at Michigan State University. I am so glad that electric cars are finally a thing.
Do you own an electric car?
@@SGobuck Not yet. My son does.
this video was awesome, I wish I could work with cool people like this around my way
I need one that, i love a volkswagen sedan or vochito like we called in México, great work, when i found one i change for electric motor
Back in the 60's the "Mother Earth News" published an article on showing how to convert a Volkswagen into electric. Also, back then their was no gas-less lithium batteries and the standard
12 volt lead/acid batteries were put where the back seat used to be, and enclosed, and the gases
had to be vented outside the bug.
yeah, it had about 12 miles of range.....
Just brilliant Gents. I have a beautiful bay kombi here in Tasmania Australia and can’t wait for the technology to be available here. I don’t want to go on massive long trips but to travel in a reliable electric car is a dream. Great vid.
yes... especially in the Aussie perpetual sunlight and mostly flat terrain.. . and the power to outrun any dingo !!
That’s amazing and thank you so much!
Great Video, really enjoyed it
I miss my '72 VW Beetle. Her name was Betty the Blue Beetle. Sweet car.
this is really great. The car looks fantastic and the scenery in the driving scenes just is beautiful. Very cool stuff.
Man, that is a _NICE_ motor they removed! I’d love to have it for my little ‘72 beetle!
Hey you do what you can it's called a modification for reason right your doing a great keep it up.
My Dad converted a bug around 40 years ago with a large airplane generator that I think he rewound (He did mining motors for Joy Manufacturing.) and lead batteries. Still had the tranny. It is number 66 for electric vehicles in Illinois. Worked good except the batteries were way too heavy. Now we have brushless motors, ESCs and lithium batteries to make it better.
Best part is that it wont smell like an old VW anymore!
I wonder if they make essence of old VW air fresheners. 😆😁👍
@@ElectricClassicCars isn't that what Zoolander and his chums were spraying around before the untimely death of said chums?
Nice one! Just landed on your vlog and I am now wondering if the car still has a manual gearbox? (I would guess not, but since it is bolted in place onto the existing transmission, it might be...).
Excellent job well done 👍
That charging point with the retro pump & the digits changing is almost as cool at the beetle. 👍
They are as cool as the beetle!
Excellent, I didn't catch that part in the video.
This is AMAZING. Our team have been restoring classic Land Rovers and Land Cruisers for about 3 years now and back then I was laughed at when I said, wait till we can start electrifying them. This video actually gave me goose bumps!
You weren't laughed at stop lying.
Beautiful car. I miss my 1968 Beetle.
That has to be the cleanest beetle I have ever seen, including concourse.
that v dub was way to nice to do this to
Absolutely. But at the same time if you are going to spend the money doing the conversion then you. Want one that will last.
No, it’s worth it because it is nice
Very cool job.... You can master that by replacing the battery under where the heat chambers are instead of the front luggage and having that free for storage space. I hope that the car feels nice with the current battery location even at harsh bracks. Thank you for the video.
Balance is key.
I would love one of those here in America!
nice conversion
Two identical bugs, one converted, one stock, see what you get after 6 months using normally. Bitten by the bug at an early age, after 20+ finally got free but miss My 67. Great channel.
Six months later, my guess is you would have one bug that occasionally has to stop at a gas station and another bug that occasionally has to stop at an electrical outlet...
🇺🇸 As great as the conversion is, I'm just as impressed with the restoration of the Beetle. My first VW was a 1958. Then, a 1964, 1969 and 1973 Super Beetle. Brings back memories.Thanks👍
It was built by a friend of mine , he was only 18 when he started it , I built the engine
@@Petterjunior I hope the engine gets a good home.
58 was the first year of the big back glass
@@Petterjunior wow my first vehicle was a Volkswagen square back but when I rebuilt that motor which was a 1600 CC pancake engine with dual Port heads two carbs and I just was amazed at how fast that car was but as far as your restoration goes that was a piece of art I'm hoping that that motor finds a nice new home
@@johnbrentonlll I had a ‘63 with the little oval back window
Working your magic again 👍🏆🇬🇧
Great job mates!
Gorgeous Beetle. Man... That's a lot of gear to remove the engine. I always just used a floor jack and took about 10 minutes.
Pretty sure they went a bit overboard because the engine they took out is absolutely pristine. So they probably didn't want to ding or scratch it :)
That’s because you are super amazing and awesome and they are not.
They had to show a little drama
3 BOLTS, and the engine is free. Easiest way to do a "complete tune-up"!
@@50buttfish
4 bolts
I love to see that there are car companies doing this! That beatle will be around to put smiles on people’s faces for a long time.
Well done! It's effectively zero emissions in operation when using that sponsoring utility's electricity to charge the batteries. Impressive range, very highway capable 120hp motor, it's a daily driver in any world!
Wish I still had my 57 beetle. Would convert it. Surprised at how hard they found removing the engine. Did mine with just a single hydraulic jack by myself. Four bolts, clutch cable and ignition. After 200,000 miles changed the barrels and pistons. Electric is the way to go.
Great job guys! What an achievement! What a great team!
Glad to see you had the same issue I did with the rear apron and hyper 9. I managed to get mine in without trimming but it took a lot of effort. Had to take the transaxle mounting bolts out then jack the rear wheels up so the swing axle action pushed the bell housing down. Trimming would have been easier 😂
How much money for the conversion kit US? Pretty awesome.
Looks like a smaller electric motor should have been used.
@@josviersel That is a small motor. :-) There are plenty with less power, but they're all about the same size.
I actually really liked this series. They show alot of the technical portions of electrical conversions and dont shy away from details.
Not to mention they have alot of respect for the original vehicles by themselves
A lot. A lot. NOT "alot".
That is the cleanest ICE engine bay I have ever seen. No wonder the conversion can be done in a day.
Let’s try this with a nettle that is a daily driver and not so tidy in the bay.
Congrats sir hope that we can do that here in Manila Phil's.
Absolutely gorgeous car. Looks like a fresh resto.
Which they promptly ruined.
A major part of the appeal of classic cars, whether it be a '64 Beetle, '56 Chevy or '36 Auburn, is the motor. Seeing a beautifully restored engine, hearing the sounds of it running, all of the various smells from oil, rubber, exhaust etc., is more than half the fun. While I appreciate what you've done to this poor little beetle, it's not for me. I've owned a few classic cars in the past, sadly I do not currently own one. My modern car is more than capable of going on a 400+ mile trip non stop and that suits me just fine. All that said, job well done!
The only appeal of classic cars is the looks : James May
@@travisyarbrough4033 something the slowest and most boring man alive would say
@@Gidenkidenk Slowest? I would definitely agree to that. Boring though is subjective. What one person finds to be boring , another might find highly interesting. It comes down to perspective. One of my interests is ancient history. I've been told by some that this is a boring topic, while others are as fascinated by the topic as myself. Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate hearing what others have to say.
@@travisyarbrough4033 Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it.
Nice car..good work..i love it..from malaysia
Thats one clean beetle boi....!
I love the casual abandon as they toss aside several rare and beautiful VW pieces of mechanica.
Get it on ebay and that's half the conversion paid for already!
“Give it a bit of a tickle with the grinder” :-)
Really fantastic! Wow and cheers!
Thank you! Cheers!
go green.. keep up the good work
Yeah, I miss my '59 bug. First car I ever drove. Next was a '70 bug. Rebuilt both engines and repainted the latter after an accident. Learned a lot about cars in my young years from those two. Third was an '84 Rabbit. Bought plans to electrify it but my mother hated the grease stains on her floor and vetoed that idea. Then I got married and the whole world changed. Wife, career, foreign transfer, work, no more time for cars. Now retired and have no space for cars. Where does the time go?
Well done ecc, just let me know when I can pick it up!😃👍
This thing is amazing! Lol, love it.
Great conversion. What do you do for heat and defroster? I had a VW (1963) about that vintage and the heat and defroster came off the engine.
The heater is now electric, just like in a modern EV. Instant heat. 👍
In 1971 I met a man in San Diego who had converted a1962 Bug to electric with SLA batteries and a military surplus DC motor, about 40 horsepower, and the car ran quietly just fine. More than 50 years ago, and it was quite an experience.
did ya see the car or is this what he told you??
@@tommurphy4307 The man was a customer at a VW dealer (San Diego Motor Imports) where I worked, and I and a fellow employee accepted a test ride in the 62 Bug.Very quiet and smooth, 4 speed clutch and transmission operating normally .
Actually that "40 horsepower DC motor" made/makes more power than the OG VW 1600 IC gasoline engine. A very good running example of the gas engine would have 45 HP on an engine dyno, but the electric motor has much more torque at lower RPM and wastes less energy as heat.......
@@victorspinetti5145 40 horsepower (max) DC electric motor (at 12volt or 24volt) was designed by a private citizen (with training in electrical engineering and mechanics and the point of this essay is that an average citizen (in 1971) could make an electric car that the industry could not.
how do you get a smooth throttle control on a 40HP DC motor?!
and if it was running lead acid batteries, what was its range? about 15 miles?!
No way! I randomly stumbled across this video and on the test drive you came past my place, I immediately recognised the Clywedog :)
You’ll later have to adjust the rear spring rates - it is high enough to change the wheel camber visually.
Nope. A swingaxle Beetle always looks like that when it comes down off a lift. Roll it a few car lengths and the rear suspension goes back to normal as can be seen in the on road shots the next morning. 👍
@@ElectricClassicCars ah, of course! I knew that - thinking hurts sometimes…. Awesome ride, now.
That front end looks pretty compressed, I wonder what the extra weight load is on the torsion bar front axle.
Is like to see it put on a road course with a stock Bug. Electric cats are so heavy the only place I see them win is in drag racing or time attack & hill climbs where is only run for 10 minutes tops w a small battery.
When environmental throw off costs are mentioned, no one talks about kids mining lithium in the Congo with shovels or strip mining for the large amount of materials needed.
Sorry for sounding like a kill joy.
@@bigghouse101 EV's sound cool (have one). But the massive pollution to generate grid power, (plus consumption of non-renewable resources) disposal of car batteries, and processes to get the materials make this solution non-earth friendly.
ive been Trying to encourage my fellow grumps into checking these out.
i do think this is the way of the future,Esp if you have it already set up to regen on the move.
Subscribed and will be watching.
ps,a thought...one of the most famous so far vids is of a 71 roadrunner being converted.
if you guys could do something similar,aka,an old Musclecar that you swap,
That would be a Huge Vid.
if you have an amc javelin use that wink wink.
Phenomenal job, well done
After this team has done this in ONE DAY, know the process,the parts they're going to need,how many laborers and experts They'll be able to bang these beetle conversions in even less time.Impressive BRAVO to the whole crew
It’s all about having the parts and the right tools for the right job.
So, after a year of planning and training a crew for six months, it's nice to see the Volks run! Great job!
Very good video, I have been interested in the conversion of classic cars from gas to electric motors. Thank you for the great videos.
I'm planning on fitting a Maserati V12 engine in my Tesla. Not an easy job!
Lovely.... I've entered the competition to win it, fingers crossed.
That's one immaculate looking VDUB.
& the motor they took out was pristine!
I wish such conversions are set up on the Global Market and mass produced. I would not even dream to change my car IN THAT CASE
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Great job! I'm sure that you will be very, very busy! I've enjoyed so much this chanel! Love your idea!
I think that 120hp is just right on a beetle. I personally would happily have this conversation done to my bug!
You spend 50 grand do it then' the range will quickly dissolve.
@Teamgeist Freedoms generally a crime these days isn't it
@Teamgeist if your under the illusion that modern advance electric AI is going to solve all your problems then carry on but your going to be in for a shock.
@Teamgeist Hitler's Revenge.....
@Teamgeist
He's just a little troll who isn't in command of the English language.
I love this conversion this is The Coolest E car out there👌👌😍😍
Aw what a shame, half of what make a beetle such a legendary icon is the engine and the lovely chirpy sound it makes and the feeling of how it delivers the power, with the unique quirky signature heater system and close gear changes. Had 7 of these superb vehicles in my teens and twenties, loved every single one, and the 2 campers, all with their individual personality engines that you get to love, which was part of the fun of ownership... Some classic vehicles need electric due to problematic designed drive trains or badly designed engines, while others perhaps not so much...