EVDL Administrator via EV wrote:
Just some more or less random thoughts:
An excellent summary, David. A few things I can add from my experience with the ComutaVan:
The ComutaVan fixed most of the concerns with the early CitiCars. Longer wheelbase, bigger tires, better brakes, and better shock absorbers to handle better (but still like a truck or old jeep). Huge 5 mph bumpers, collapsible steering column, windshield moved out, batteries moved out from under the seats, and other features to meet 1980 crash standards. Bigger motor, 3-speed transmission, and 72v pack for better acceleration, hill-climbing, speed, and range. It actually had a heater that worked, doors that locked, and windows that kept the rain out.
But it was still pretty crude. Roughly equivalent to a 1960 VW Beetle, but with lower quality control. And I don't think there's been an easier car to work on since the Ford model T.
C-car (Citicar and Comuta-Car) bodies were made of ABS.
Right. Time and UV are death to these plastic bodies. However, the good news is that all the panels are nearly flat, and just pop-riveted on. It's easy to make replacement with a crude vacu-form rig. The hood of my ComutaVan blew off. I made a new one from a sheet of ABS, formed over a wooden form with a hot air gun. I also used the hot air gun to weld up a lot of the cracks in the brittle old panels.
Mechanically, this is one of the early Terrell axle cars. The motor is only rated 3.5hp.
3.5hp is golf cart territory. With that motor, you basically have an enclosed golf cart.
This early, it probably has draggy aircraft disc brakes, too. Later cars were fitted all round with the same drum brakes used on some Cushman scooters.
Yeah, the original aircraft disk brakes were terrible. They changed to trailer drum brakes, I believe, which were also poor. My ComutaVan had conventional Bendix car drum brakes (from a Chevette, I think).
Overall, I agree with David's asssesment. I look back fondly on my ComutaVan. I drove it every day for years, had a lot of fun, and learned a lot with it. But would I go back to one today? No... my tastes have changed. I value comfort and safety too much.
But if you're the sort of person that enjoys vintage automobiles, likes to tinker, wants something truly different, go for it! :-)
-- Knowledge is better than belief. Belief is when someone else does your thinking. -- anonymous -- Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Read EVAngel's EV News at http://evdl.org/evln/ Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
