There are companies starting to make bolt in kits from parts they are trying to mass produce. This will start reducing costs. Sadly way more common in Europe it seems
Cool idea, I think Mini themselves are offering conversions too. But it’s too expensive, you can buy a top of the line modern Mini EV for almost the same price.
Fascinating! Many years ago I owned a 56 VW convertible that would have been a good fit for this type of conversion. 100 horsepower would have been more than adequate and would have made the vehicle be able to be a daily driver. But I share the same concern, there is a loss of historical significance when a drivetrain is tossed away forever. Safety could be a concern too, for cars built before the 1970s lacked disc brakes, seatbelts, and even suspension refinements needed for electric propulsion of greater power… my VW would have been a death trap if not driven gingerly.
At the moment it is cheaper to ship a car to the UK than shipping across the US. Also having a full restoration is also cheaper for European cars in the UK. I would have a Mini as I was brought up racing, rallying and auto crossing them from age seventeen until my mid-thirties. Now drive an electric car the Mazda MX30 2022 model but would love to have a mini but the buy in cost is too high compared to the Mazda doubt you could get finance for one.
except you couldnt really. yes you could buy a brand new shell but to build a brand new car (here in the UK) would mean it complying with ALL safety regs as well as emissions regs (or putting the car on a Q plate meaning its comparitively worthless). the idea behind the heritage shells is that a car that exists can be rebuilt into a new shell when the original is too far gone to be repaired, and this has to be documented and checked i believe to allow the car to keep its original identity
They made this kit for the original Mini, but how many of these Minis are still on the road, and what percentage of those people would be interested in this conversion. It seems like their target market would be incredibly small.
My first car was a '68 mk1 mini with 'hydrolastic' suspension, got in the summer of 1978. The rear subframe had had 10 years of disolving in Scottish winters before I got it and had to be replaced not long after. That was the main issue with these cars. The rear subframes were pretty unsubstantial both in guage of steel and paint, so finding a good used one was rare and with that revolutionary suspension, pretty much impossible. They absolutely ruined the ride quality of the mini with those unforgiving rubber things! That's the only mini I'd consider converting, but at 40k is just not worth the money. The mini was the UK's 'peoples' car'. Nostalgia like this is beyond the reach of ordinary people. A modern 40k electric vehicle has way more to offer in all aspectses (safety?!)... except nostalgia.
I really love EV conversions. I wish there were affordable kits to do it
with economies of scale on kits and battery production ramping up it will get there. 🙏⚡️👍
There are companies starting to make bolt in kits from parts they are trying to mass produce. This will start reducing costs. Sadly way more common in Europe it seems
Roman, thank you for the look at what’s hopefully coming stateside. All the fun with 10% of the grief. Passing it on to others!!
Great to see more mini coverage
Cool idea, I think Mini themselves are offering conversions too. But it’s too expensive, you can buy a top of the line modern Mini EV for almost the same price.
This is the conversion for mini.
in the Uk the conversion is about £10k. which is around what you would pay for a really good classic mini to put it into anyhow.
@@petelattimer6808 whose doing it for 10k? Maybe diy but I don't know any companies under 20k doing it?
He said the basic conversion is 42K GBP. That's way more than a new Mini starting price, which would give you more range, and DC fast charging.
I love it when they take classic cars and turn them into EV.❤❤
It would be great if there were conversions for the 2002+ minis. There a dine a dozen (most have mechanical issues).
24:47 Love that the startup sound is “Mini” in Morse code, did they put that in?
So good (apart from the price!), and a much better conversion than that Dutch thing in the Estate done by Classic Mini Culture
Love the idea of owning 2 minis as the solution! :) Oh and I take my hat off to you for driving an unfamiliar car on unfamiliar roads!
Please tell me you are bringing one of these to the US.
Fascinating! Many years ago I owned a 56 VW convertible that would have been a good fit for this type of conversion. 100 horsepower would have been more than adequate and would have made the vehicle be able to be a daily driver. But I share the same concern, there is a loss of historical significance when a drivetrain is tossed away forever. Safety could be a concern too, for cars built before the 1970s lacked disc brakes, seatbelts, and even suspension refinements needed for electric propulsion of greater power… my VW would have been a death trap if not driven gingerly.
Love it BUT I think Ralph Hosier's creation is the Coolest 😎
At the moment it is cheaper to ship a car to the UK than shipping across the US.
Also having a full restoration is also cheaper for European cars in the UK.
I would have a Mini as I was brought up racing, rallying and auto crossing them from age seventeen until my mid-thirties. Now drive an electric car the Mazda MX30 2022 model but would love to have a mini but the buy in cost is too high compared to the Mazda doubt you could get finance for one.
i didnt hear anything about regen though? be nice for extra range but overall go the little Mini
The "Heritage Trust" stamps out some classics like Mini and MGB. You could build brand new...
except you couldnt really. yes you could buy a brand new shell but to build a brand new car (here in the UK) would mean it complying with ALL safety regs as well as emissions regs (or putting the car on a Q plate meaning its comparitively worthless). the idea behind the heritage shells is that a car that exists can be rebuilt into a new shell when the original is too far gone to be repaired, and this has to be documented and checked i believe to allow the car to keep its original identity
They made this kit for the original Mini, but how many of these Minis are still on the road, and what percentage of those people would be interested in this conversion. It seems like their target market would be incredibly small.
Millions still on the roads in Europe alone, they were imported and built all around the world
Ingenious but only ideal for quiet English countryside roads.
Could be an absolute death trap on busy US highways with large SUVs and trucks
My first car was a '68 mk1 mini with 'hydrolastic' suspension, got in the summer of 1978. The rear subframe had had 10 years of disolving in Scottish winters before I got it and had to be replaced not long after. That was the main issue with these cars. The rear subframes were pretty unsubstantial both in guage of steel and paint, so finding a good used one was rare and with that revolutionary suspension, pretty much impossible. They absolutely ruined the ride quality of the mini with those unforgiving rubber things! That's the only mini I'd consider converting, but at 40k is just not worth the money. The mini was the UK's 'peoples' car'. Nostalgia like this is beyond the reach of ordinary people. A modern 40k electric vehicle has way more to offer in all aspectses (safety?!)... except nostalgia.
Love it!!! 😍
Great video mate an I'm English 😀
That's a real Mini
Roman, Welcome to UK.
Come to NJ area!
No such word as “frunk “. Would be “froot” in UK. If used, then should include “brunk”, “fotor”, “botor” etc
Zero EV inside, parts you can trust 😉⚡️🇬🇧