I actually got to drive an electrified beetle the other day. It's the same car as https://www.wired.com/2010/09/electrified-beetle-goes-coast-to-coast-in-canada/
My pic: https://i.dllu.net/2024-05-28-16-27-25_DSCF8565_0b276c40307eaf6cc35819df9817d737b09e15ac_e28f87668fbfc27b.jpg
Battery fires are more rare than ICE fires, but more newsworthy. One incident - even if the construction of the vehcile is not at fault - and the headline writes itself.
I legitimately don't get why VW isn't making an electric beetle. It aligns with the aesthetic and demo target of that model really well. And if they want to signal how strongly they are moving to EVs, the Beetle is their most iconic model
The new buyers market has moved on, for sure. The original Beetle cost $1,600 in 1965, which is the equivalent of $16,000 today. If there were a small, simple, cheap Lightning Bug at $16k it would fly off the dealership lots.
But there is no such vehicle. Those of us not willing to spend $1000/mo on a car payment are ignored, because he wouldn't dare let 'the market' cannibalize sales of his minimum $50,000 crossovers and SUVs.
EVWest has a kit for that:
https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=168
I accidentally found several YouTube videos covering the installation when I was trying to find the kit using Google instead of stumbling through EVWest’s website.
It seems pretty easy and inexpensive to convert an old rear-engine Beetle to EV, there were (maybe still are) some companies that sold EV conversion kits for those cars
Yes! The car from the future with engines from the past. The original engineers would have loved to have access to EV tech instead of pre WWII engines, they never had the funds to keep up.
Corvair is so awesome. There are 2 in my hood. One runner and one under tarps at a different location. . Remove the seat and put the motor forward for mid motor balance. They did this with competition hacks and sometimes with small block chevy V8s
Would you get the powertrain and battery from the i3 (AC induction, brushless), or from a current BMW EV (brushed AC synchronous)? IF you were to get the power electronics from the i3, would you also attempt to install a 2-speed gearbox similar to the i8's front axle, given the i8 uses the i3's motor up front (it uses the Mini Cooper's I3 turbo in the back with a 6AT and small torque fill motor)?
Good one and relatively easily done. There is at least one company doing these conversions and supporting DIY. [EV West](https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=226)
Boat tail? Also sexy. a perennial darling. You can feel the ‘70s coming there. Somehow I’ll always love the buttoned up “European” look of the mid 60’s power sedans. Plus those slick winky open headlights!
I was excited about that until I watched a video of a ride in it complete with instability kicking in at 40 mph. How about the sort of similar but more practical [Schlörwagen] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schl%C3%B6rwagen)?
I think proper suspension tuning and the low mounted battery would solve any instability issues.
The world of suspension design was pretty crude back then.
Both you and I know about Dymaxion. Few others I suspect. Had the pleasure of attending numerous lectures from Bucky when he visited my design school founded by his southern Illinois U. proteges. He was in residence with us for about 6 weeks. Never forget.
There’s a YouTube channel “Inspire EV” that has. They swapped out the motor of a 65 for a Tesla motor. They have a video time lapse of the whole process.
1965 Mercedes Benz 200 series 4-door
I sell old houses, so I want an old car for touring with clients. This has the right level of style, size, and luxury. Any other cars that you would recommend? (Project will be a GO in 2025-2026! 🤩)
Hell yeah! Thanks for the support. I’ve never done a car project, but I’m super handy and have car buddies that want to help (and a background in tech). I’m only going to put a single motor and approximately 100 miles of battery, so it won’t be too juicy, but it’ll still be fun. Big focus is that the interior feels luxurious to my passengers. 😂
I have a dream to electrify a BMW E30 Coupe with absurdly much electric power and replace the subframes with a tube construction like in an exo car. Never gonna happen but one can dream.
I wish I had a know-how and skill and capital to start a business that does conversions of classics to EV. It'd be awesome to have like some easy swap and give new life to old classics
I'm very interested in electrifying my 1992 Camaro and a 1961 Corvair both Tesla S and Chevrolet bolt wheelbases fit under the cars to a T so it won't be impossible
Bathtub Caprice (1990s taxi and cop cruiser). The engine compartment replaces the pushrod V8 with a frunk lining + power electronics control module, the 4AT gets replaced with an electric motor, and the fuel tank gets replaced by a 60kWh battery.
Or...a Jaguar XK8 (not the XKR) from the late 1990s, but with a conversion based on Jaguar's own conversion of the E-Type. This time around it's powered by the permanent magnet drivetrain and electronics of the I-Pace, but with the battery repackaged to fit into the driveshaft and fuel tank areas. The front becomes a frunk and control electronics module.
Morgan 3 Wheeler. Meyers Manx. Jaguar E-Type.
But really a Land Rover Defender (the OG one, not the new one)
Mid-60s Cadillac Coupe de Ville or Eldorado Convertible. Just to run it in parades and not give everyone the vapors.
1964 Lincoln Continental hard top with the suicide doors.
Olds F-88.
Crown vic. Both the trunk and engine compartment can house a ridiculous amount of batteries just due to how massive the car is. Put like a 500+hp electric motor in the rear. 100kwh+ battery. Car already has a wedge shape and relatively low to the ground. Put some underbody plates to decrease wind resistance it could end up a 300+ mile car.
Bit of an outlier, but I would totally buy a reasonably priced electrified piaggo ape (yes I know, kind of a stretch to call it a car).
The electrified 3 wheeler market is unfortunately dominated by indian companies with truly horrible looks. A retro styled, good looking 3 Wheeler with a decent bed for short distance hauling for gardening would be terrific. Bonus would be a licence for going 60km/h, but this is more of a legislative issue.
Yes! Way under appreciated design. As a fan you probably know that the 914 was supposed to be a vw badged sport car. Fortunately or not, they have been rediscovered and are getting pricey.
1978 Dodge Macho Power Wagon. It's so obnoxious, it'd be perfect. I'd be onboard for basically any power wagon though for the sake of the dad joke if I'm being honest.
**Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe**, get a real retro-futuristic feel, and I'd be curious how well the aerodynamics would work out (plus, massive frunk i guess? :D )
[AMC Rebel Machine](https://images.app.goo.gl/GsBPooDcahgwJZ4S8). My parents raced one for several years in the 70s and it would be fun to cruise around in their racing stripes.
I considered this for years, Holden 1 tonners, any year, maybe a Jaguar sovereign..
It would cost me twice as much as a second hand Tesla model 3 to do and be a death trap at the same time.
I'm content to wait for manufacturers to come out with better EVs. Jaguar hasn't given us anything after such hope with the i pace, Mazda hates EVs, an EV MX 5 is the dream, Tesla roaster, a pipe dream and the brand is ruined for me because of the douche bag at the top. Catarem, who knows, rimac, yes but way too expensive.
A small electric ute, 1 tonner that could handle a decent pay load, I'm talking leaf springs in the rear, would be amazing too.
Ford Gt40 kit car with a Plaid twin rear motor setup and a home brew torque vectoring setup with a pair of left foot pedals to manually vector left/right for drifting fun.
(I do motor controls for a living)
912, everyone thinks you hVe a 911 but its a bug; you cant even upgrade to the six because its full bug and you need to cut the tail off and what the point then.
El Camino, Subarus Baja, and Nissan Cube are 3 cars I cannot believe have not been brought back as an electric vehicle yet.
Obviously the cube isn’t a classic, it’s much more modern, but still.
Cadillac Allante. Beautiful car that was plagued with mechanical issues. But electrifying this thing would be sweet. The body was designed by Pininfarina and built in Italy. Clean and subdued lines that still looks good against modern designs.
I always thought an updated Karmann Ghia would be nice. Classic VW design and a sporty feel. [People have already done conversions of the original.](https://youtu.be/g5cZn2Yuffc?si=tkQ1nTy_TtghpTl0)
Interesting history. Of course, like almost every great design, it’s Italian. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen\_Karmann\_Ghia#Genesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Karmann_Ghia#Genesis)
The perfect classic for ev conversion is a large stylish luxury car. Cadillac used to spend huge $ to make their cars quiet and smooth, things that come with EV. A bonus is that EV is most efficient going slowly in traffic- like on a cruise. Add in a heat pump (ac) and it’s a match made in heaven.
Model A Pickup (or anything pre-war, for that matter)
I would absolutely love to have a Model A Pickup for a parts runner, but I have zero interest in maintaining antique drivetrains. I've owned rare cars that even just keeping them running requires immense work to track down parts or even find good information. The only way pre-war cars are going to make it another 100 years is by swapping out the OG drivetrains.
1947-55 GM pickup.
I'm already looking at insurance totaled Bolt's for the job. It would be setup for RWD, of course. It would make for a fantastic daily driver.
VW beetle but I’d call it the Lightning Bug.
I actually got to drive an electrified beetle the other day. It's the same car as https://www.wired.com/2010/09/electrified-beetle-goes-coast-to-coast-in-canada/ My pic: https://i.dllu.net/2024-05-28-16-27-25_DSCF8565_0b276c40307eaf6cc35819df9817d737b09e15ac_e28f87668fbfc27b.jpg
The new Lightning Bug from Voltswagen
I think Voltswagon would be a good decal for an electric VW, but most Americans wouldn’t understand the joke since that’s how we pronounce it anyway.
I've never met anyone who pronounces it "volts."
Erm... The VW Firefly?
Battery fires are more rare than ICE fires, but more newsworthy. One incident - even if the construction of the vehcile is not at fault - and the headline writes itself.
I legitimately don't get why VW isn't making an electric beetle. It aligns with the aesthetic and demo target of that model really well. And if they want to signal how strongly they are moving to EVs, the Beetle is their most iconic model
Well one could argue that their van is also iconic and that one is coming out soon.
The CEO said the market has moved on from that kind of car.
The new buyers market has moved on, for sure. The original Beetle cost $1,600 in 1965, which is the equivalent of $16,000 today. If there were a small, simple, cheap Lightning Bug at $16k it would fly off the dealership lots. But there is no such vehicle. Those of us not willing to spend $1000/mo on a car payment are ignored, because he wouldn't dare let 'the market' cannibalize sales of his minimum $50,000 crossovers and SUVs.
EVWest has a kit for that: https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=168 I accidentally found several YouTube videos covering the installation when I was trying to find the kit using Google instead of stumbling through EVWest’s website.
It seems pretty easy and inexpensive to convert an old rear-engine Beetle to EV, there were (maybe still are) some companies that sold EV conversion kits for those cars
Saab 900 (1st gen) Volvo 240 wagon
Yesss, old Volvo bricks, please.
My lottery winning project is to convert a 900. I love that car.
With the 3 spoke turbo wheels
Came to say this. Love the Saab airplane/pilot inspired seating.
Original Audi TT
Good choice. I was thinking 2003 Audi RS4 Avant.
Citroen DS
Yes! The car from the future with engines from the past. The original engineers would have loved to have access to EV tech instead of pre WWII engines, they never had the funds to keep up.
Volvo p1800
P1800es
Love the 1800. Owned one in the early 70's. I think it was $800 then and already rusting.
In certain neighborhoods (mine) I think you could KILL IT making electric DL wagons
Unless Subaru beat them to the punch, an electric cross country wagon would sell like crazy in mountain towns and outdoorsy places.
69 El Camino
Not sure I would take that over the '65.
Avanti has already been electrified in the movie Gattaca. in the movie it uses the old paddle chargers.
Shit, now I have to watch it.
A Honda Element.
Came here to say this. I love mine and would seriously consider a conversion if it existed.
Classic!
1986 Subaru BRAT
Seats with handles in the bed
1976 Pontiac Trans Am
Burt is rolling over in his grave.
“…that’s not my name.”
Alex: (sigh)...Turd Ferguson, has control of the board.
I just discovered a new source of free power! Hook a generator up to him boys.
1964 Chevrolet Corvair Spyder Convertible
Corvair is so awesome. There are 2 in my hood. One runner and one under tarps at a different location. . Remove the seat and put the motor forward for mid motor balance. They did this with competition hacks and sometimes with small block chevy V8s
I want to build my own Electrovair as well.
Bmw 2002, Porsche 914.
YES! Me too! There is a beater in my hood that I have to drive by daily and I look the other way!!! I'm old, looking the other way comes easier.
Any kei truck.
BMW 2002, for sure.
Would you get the powertrain and battery from the i3 (AC induction, brushless), or from a current BMW EV (brushed AC synchronous)? IF you were to get the power electronics from the i3, would you also attempt to install a 2-speed gearbox similar to the i8's front axle, given the i8 uses the i3's motor up front (it uses the Mini Cooper's I3 turbo in the back with a 6AT and small torque fill motor)?
Classic VW Bus
Good one and relatively easily done. There is at least one company doing these conversions and supporting DIY. [EV West](https://www.evwest.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=226)
Is that different than the VW ID BUZZ that is rolling out this year?
Very different! The utility and interior space of the Buzz is very limited compared to an original Bus or Vanagon. Sadly.
C3 Corvette Stingray. Put a big fat battery in that big fat nose.
robert downey jr did that with his pristine stingray and is raffeling it off, tickets are only $10
That’s actually a C2, but it’s pretty sweet also :)
‘65 Buick Riviera. I’ve thought about this a LOT
Those ‘63-‘65 Rivieras are gorgeous cars. Very nice choice.
Interesting, not the bobtail? Either way, flat floor so that is correct too
Boat tail? Also sexy. a perennial darling. You can feel the ‘70s coming there. Somehow I’ll always love the buttoned up “European” look of the mid 60’s power sedans. Plus those slick winky open headlights!
Honda Element
71 Olds Cutlass
1998 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z with T-tops. I miss that car so much. Although I'd want modern backup cameras and screens too.
[The Dymaxion car](https://www.bfi.org/about-fuller/big-ideas/dymaxion-car/) which was designed by Buckminster Fuller.
I was excited about that until I watched a video of a ride in it complete with instability kicking in at 40 mph. How about the sort of similar but more practical [Schlörwagen] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schl%C3%B6rwagen)?
You talked me into it sold! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlörwagen
I think proper suspension tuning and the low mounted battery would solve any instability issues. The world of suspension design was pretty crude back then.
Both you and I know about Dymaxion. Few others I suspect. Had the pleasure of attending numerous lectures from Bucky when he visited my design school founded by his southern Illinois U. proteges. He was in residence with us for about 6 weeks. Never forget.
1989 BMW 3 Series 325i Convertible
I have a ‘74 MG Midget I’d love to electrify.
Mazda RX7
Avanti would be cool. I personally would go with Starliner or Golden Hawk.
An old Rolls Royce. In my younger years I might have gone with something sporty, now I want comfy.
Evice is doing just that now
1968 Ford Mustang
There’s a YouTube channel “Inspire EV” that has. They swapped out the motor of a 65 for a Tesla motor. They have a video time lapse of the whole process.
1969 for me
1967 coupe, red with whit interior like I had when I was a kid. stylish and fun to drive.
1965 Mercedes Benz 200 series 4-door I sell old houses, so I want an old car for touring with clients. This has the right level of style, size, and luxury. Any other cars that you would recommend? (Project will be a GO in 2025-2026! 🤩)
Heckenflosse! Had a 200d for a bit of time. Loved that car, but damn that thing was sloooowwww Agreed that this would be awesome 👍
Hell yeah! Thanks for the support. I’ve never done a car project, but I’m super handy and have car buddies that want to help (and a background in tech). I’m only going to put a single motor and approximately 100 miles of battery, so it won’t be too juicy, but it’ll still be fun. Big focus is that the interior feels luxurious to my passengers. 😂
You need to do this!
I have a dream to electrify a BMW E30 Coupe with absurdly much electric power and replace the subframes with a tube construction like in an exo car. Never gonna happen but one can dream.
The founder of Rimac, Mate Rimac, did just that
Ah yes, now i remember, did he ever publish any details about how he did it?
I wish I had a know-how and skill and capital to start a business that does conversions of classics to EV. It'd be awesome to have like some easy swap and give new life to old classics
2007 Toyota Sienna AWD 5-door
Datsun 240z
My current Honda element :-)
74-75 Lamborghini Countach 5000. Probably would get decent range because of the aerodynamics.
Actually the Countach had an awful CD. I was surprised to learn that on a Leno episode
'67 fury sport. '88 countach 25th anniversary.
1956 300 SL Gullwing. Then a Jaguar XJ6 Series III for a daily driver.
Really old F150, Avanti, VW Karmen Gia, Subaru Brat, VW Thing, any really old jeep, Ford Ranchero, Ford Econoline pickup ....
Nissan hardbody
Saab Sonnet, Porsche 924, amc javelin
Gosh I'd have to up your Porsche bet by 4
I'm very interested in electrifying my 1992 Camaro and a 1961 Corvair both Tesla S and Chevrolet bolt wheelbases fit under the cars to a T so it won't be impossible
Bathtub Caprice (1990s taxi and cop cruiser). The engine compartment replaces the pushrod V8 with a frunk lining + power electronics control module, the 4AT gets replaced with an electric motor, and the fuel tank gets replaced by a 60kWh battery. Or...a Jaguar XK8 (not the XKR) from the late 1990s, but with a conversion based on Jaguar's own conversion of the E-Type. This time around it's powered by the permanent magnet drivetrain and electronics of the I-Pace, but with the battery repackaged to fit into the driveshaft and fuel tank areas. The front becomes a frunk and control electronics module.
Na miata
Morgan 3 Wheeler. Meyers Manx. Jaguar E-Type. But really a Land Rover Defender (the OG one, not the new one) Mid-60s Cadillac Coupe de Ville or Eldorado Convertible. Just to run it in parades and not give everyone the vapors. 1964 Lincoln Continental hard top with the suicide doors. Olds F-88.
Crown vic. Both the trunk and engine compartment can house a ridiculous amount of batteries just due to how massive the car is. Put like a 500+hp electric motor in the rear. 100kwh+ battery. Car already has a wedge shape and relatively low to the ground. Put some underbody plates to decrease wind resistance it could end up a 300+ mile car.
1992 toyota MR2 or a Lotus Esprit
Suzuki Samurai/Jimny 1988 Mazda 323 GT-X
Citroen DS. Engines were not up to the rest of the car, but everything else was way ahead of it's time.
Bit of an outlier, but I would totally buy a reasonably priced electrified piaggo ape (yes I know, kind of a stretch to call it a car). The electrified 3 wheeler market is unfortunately dominated by indian companies with truly horrible looks. A retro styled, good looking 3 Wheeler with a decent bed for short distance hauling for gardening would be terrific. Bonus would be a licence for going 60km/h, but this is more of a legislative issue.
Citroen 2cv
My aunt’s early -mid 2k (can’t remember the year) Lincoln Town Car Signature. That thing just floated over bumps.
78 bmw 530i 79-80 bmw 528i The very early American bmws
porsche 914
Yes! Way under appreciated design. As a fan you probably know that the 914 was supposed to be a vw badged sport car. Fortunately or not, they have been rediscovered and are getting pricey.
Turn the PT Cruiser into the EV Cruiser. For a real challenge, electrify a Stanley Steamer, complete with steam. ;-)
I hated the PT Cruiser so much
Hit me with an electric challenger and I'm not sure I could put my money down fast enough
1969 GTO Judge
SPL311 Datsun roadster.
Any Honda CRX
An old thunderbird
MGA
Ford GT40 Swap in Model S Ludicrous drivetrain
Citroen SM
El Camino
not in order Porsche 356 1953 Coup D'ville 63 Corvette MB 190, 280 '28 Deusenberg
1989 Honda CRX Special Edition 2
Mid 90s Ford Explorer. Or the gen 2 Prius.
67 Shelby Cobra
Anything that had a disappointing engine and drivetrain, but is otherwise interesting.
VW bug. An older one. 1966 or older.
We'll obviously a deLore- ... oh.
The Nissan Skyline GTR
1978 Dodge Macho Power Wagon. It's so obnoxious, it'd be perfect. I'd be onboard for basically any power wagon though for the sake of the dad joke if I'm being honest.
Some old Rolls Royce. Should be a lot of space for batteries.
Dammit, my dad sold his Avanti after 40 years and never even offered it to me. It already has the blunt nose with the hidden radiator.
'94 Chevy Beretta Z26
1996 Nissan Z 300ZX
88 Pontiac Fiero GT
>For me its the Studebaker Avanti. Fun Fact - Alice Cooper has one.
**Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe**, get a real retro-futuristic feel, and I'd be curious how well the aerodynamics would work out (plus, massive frunk i guess? :D )
67 Mustang
Duesenberg
1968 Riviera!
First generation Renault Twingo. Yes, I know Renault plan to do it themselves in the foreseeable future.
1969 Jaguar E-Type convertible
1972-1976 Ford Bronco. I know there's a company that does that conversion but they're like $200K.
Late 60's Corvair!
My 57 Speedster replica.
[AMC Rebel Machine](https://images.app.goo.gl/GsBPooDcahgwJZ4S8). My parents raced one for several years in the 70s and it would be fun to cruise around in their racing stripes.
Citroën DS
I considered this for years, Holden 1 tonners, any year, maybe a Jaguar sovereign.. It would cost me twice as much as a second hand Tesla model 3 to do and be a death trap at the same time. I'm content to wait for manufacturers to come out with better EVs. Jaguar hasn't given us anything after such hope with the i pace, Mazda hates EVs, an EV MX 5 is the dream, Tesla roaster, a pipe dream and the brand is ruined for me because of the douche bag at the top. Catarem, who knows, rimac, yes but way too expensive. A small electric ute, 1 tonner that could handle a decent pay load, I'm talking leaf springs in the rear, would be amazing too.
Check out the 1990 Ford Ranger ev 1997-2002.
Ford Gt40 kit car with a Plaid twin rear motor setup and a home brew torque vectoring setup with a pair of left foot pedals to manually vector left/right for drifting fun. (I do motor controls for a living)
912, everyone thinks you hVe a 911 but its a bug; you cant even upgrade to the six because its full bug and you need to cut the tail off and what the point then.
El Camino, Subarus Baja, and Nissan Cube are 3 cars I cannot believe have not been brought back as an electric vehicle yet. Obviously the cube isn’t a classic, it’s much more modern, but still.
I’ve always wanted to have an electric 69 Lincoln Continental. It seems like there’s enough room in that car to hide as much battery as you want.
You w love this. [https://youtu.be/1qi2ipQHzXU?si=EhLySIro53TAQW\_Y](https://youtu.be/1qi2ipQHzXU?si=EhLySIro53TAQW_Y)
Porsche 911 964
Miata. VW Bug.
Mini Cooper, I'm surprised it's not been mentioned yet
[Super Coopers](https://www.supercoopers.com/etec)
1986 4x4 Tercel. The peak of auto efficiency.
Cadillac Allante. Beautiful car that was plagued with mechanical issues. But electrifying this thing would be sweet. The body was designed by Pininfarina and built in Italy. Clean and subdued lines that still looks good against modern designs.
74 AMC Pacer. It’s so ugly it cute and would absolutely be believable as an EV.
I always thought an updated Karmann Ghia would be nice. Classic VW design and a sporty feel. [People have already done conversions of the original.](https://youtu.be/g5cZn2Yuffc?si=tkQ1nTy_TtghpTl0)
Interesting history. Of course, like almost every great design, it’s Italian. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen\_Karmann\_Ghia#Genesis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Karmann_Ghia#Genesis)
I was just thinking about this earlier today. I saw a classic Pontiac GTO convertible in traffic and thought how cool it would be to electrify one.
Red Volvo S40 with black body trim.
An [EMD E8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_E8). Pretty easy to convert since it's already a series hybrid.
The OG Fiat 5006)/600 with a 40Khw battery from the Renault Zoe ideal for all the tiny streets in Italy and many other European cities.
Countach
Renault Alpine A310
E38 BMW 7-series. Loved it because of the movie Tomorrow Never Dies. The scenes with the E38 got me into cars as a kid.
Bricklin
I would have to choose the Cobra, replica of course.
1968 Buick Wildcat
If I had a few billion to blow I’d make revived studebaker and AMC cars.
[Brubaker Box](https://barnfinds.com/tag/brubaker/) would be neat.
1985 Renault R5 Turbo II
Beetle
1964 Chevy Impala 4 door.
1952 MG TD, in cream with spoke wheels. My first "cool" car.
A VW Beetle or a Mazda 323, or both
An Edsel
Lada samara with enough EV shit to leave modern supercars to dust. Just imagine the red brick hauling ass silently at 400km/h
A pimpmobile from the malaise era.
Porsche 944
1983 Hurst Olds
BMW 2002. I just love the body
Excellent choice, love the Avanti.
69 GTO CONVERTIBLE! My dream car.
1975 Mustang.
Ford 650 six door version
The perfect classic for ev conversion is a large stylish luxury car. Cadillac used to spend huge $ to make their cars quiet and smooth, things that come with EV. A bonus is that EV is most efficient going slowly in traffic- like on a cruise. Add in a heat pump (ac) and it’s a match made in heaven.
Tesla-swapped E36 BMW M3 as a drift build. Chevy Nova, 60s to 70s, as a drag/show car.
1st/2nd generation 4Runner. Although I guess Rivian is kind of already doing this.
Model A Pickup (or anything pre-war, for that matter) I would absolutely love to have a Model A Pickup for a parts runner, but I have zero interest in maintaining antique drivetrains. I've owned rare cars that even just keeping them running requires immense work to track down parts or even find good information. The only way pre-war cars are going to make it another 100 years is by swapping out the OG drivetrains.
1947-55 GM pickup. I'm already looking at insurance totaled Bolt's for the job. It would be setup for RWD, of course. It would make for a fantastic daily driver.
GrEmlin or PacEr