jerry freedomev via EV wrote:
[Is the Mustang with the low VIN number a V8?] it's far better just
to keep it original to retain it's future value. When the economy
gets better it'll be very desirable.
This is a dilemma I run into all the time. Older simpler cars make
better EVs and are easier to convert. They're lighter, simpler, easier
to work on, etc.
But, some old cars are valuable as collector's items. You ruin the value
if not kept stock. Or, they are in poor shape, and not worth repairing,
much less restoring or converting. In that case, they probably aren't
worth the work to convert to an EV. So, do you convert it, or not?
I've come to the conclusion that there are special circumstance that
*may* make an old car a candidate for conversion: Factors that favor
converting it:
1. It is an unpopular car, that collectors basically ignore.
2. It is in such poor shape that it would take too much time
and money to restore to "collectible" condition.
3. But, it is in good enough shape to make a perfectly good
"daily driver". If you can imagine repairing it and driving
it as an ICE, then it can also make a good EV conversion.
4. You plan to heavily customize it (new interior, body mods,
etc. that would "turn off" collectors anyway).
5. You LIKE the car! Perhaps it's your first car, and has
sentimental value. Or you "always wanted to own one"?
6. It's an experiment. The car is really "cannon fodder" to
learn on, or try out some idea. It doesn't have to practical
or the "final solution" to be successful.
Factors that suggest *not* converting:
A. A popular, or one-of-a-kind car with an unusually high
value to collectors.
B. Car is in such poor condition that even as an EV it would
not be reliable or fun to drive (like a worn-out "beater"
that's sitting in the yard).
C. You plan to convert it to save money on gas (that almost
never works out).
I'm sure others can add more things to consider. Of course, this is just
generic advice. I can't say whether it applies to your hybrid Mustang
project. But it's something to think about.
--
The definition of research: Shoot the arrow first, and paint the target
around where it lands. -- David Van Baak
--
Lee Hart's EV projects are at http://www.sunrise-ev.com/LeesEVs.htm
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