What a man!

[Borris]

This chap is amazing and I recommend watching this video to the end.

 

[WelshGas]

This chap is amazing and I recommend watching this video to the end.

One for you @Borris

The classic cars being converted to electric vehicles

Historic cars are being retrofitted with recycled electric motors and batteries.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[dripster]

When this was in Leeds station the other day I assumed they had brought it in due to the diesel shortage!

 

[dripster]

One for you @Borris

The classic cars being converted to electric vehicles

Historic cars are being retrofitted with recycled electric motors and batteries.

www.bbc.co.uk

It's quite big business now. I must admit a converted classic appeals a lot more than some of the modern designs. Although I think this one needs a coast of paint!

VW Camper Van (VW type 2) - Electrogenic

Electric E-Type Jaguar converted to electric by conversion specialists Electrogenic.

www.electrogenic.co.uk

 

[willwander]

Steam rocket bike. Some great engineering on this one.

Force of Nature

'Force of Nature' is a steam powered 'Rocket' motorcycle built by Graham Sykes for drag racing, record breaking, exhibitions and events.

www.force-of-nature.com

 

[sidepod]

I don’t think Bozza has much on today ?

 

[Velma's Dad]

It's quite big business now. I must admit a converted classic appeals a lot more than some of the modern designs...

Must admit I'm 100% with Wayne (quoted in the article & full disclosure I know him through the TR Register). For me the entire point of classic/historic vehicles is the way they drive and go, in their more-or-less original form, not just the way they look. It'd be like having Marilyn Monroe stuffed and stood in the corner to impress your friends with.

As you're probably guessed, it's a no from me.

 

[briwy]

This chap is amazing and I recommend watching this video to the end.

Brilliant. Very Fred Dibnahish. Wonder if he could fit a miniture nuclear reactor for the heat?

 

[sidepod]

Agree with VD on this, it’s just not the same vehicle.

 

[Borris]

One for you @Borris

The classic cars being converted to electric vehicles

Historic cars are being retrofitted with recycled electric motors and batteries.

www.bbc.co.uk

No I'm afraid not. Whilst the steam driven landrover is an interesting novelty, modified classics are not for me. I really don't see the point.

I own three old vehicles, one (1932), and the other two are Veterans (1909 and 1912). Each one is very original and I wouldn't want to be the custodian that ruined a motoring antique by fitting an electric motor. They are only original once.

If someone wanted to do that I would encourage them to use one of the millions of servicable modern ice vehicles that are currently nearing the end of there working lives.

 

[Borris]

I have always been tempted by one of these glorious steam jobs though. As a model maker I'm sure you'll agree that they are great fun.

Miniature Steam Engines For Sale

Miniature Steam Engines For Sale, Traction Engines, Steam Rollers, Steam Tractors, Showamans Engines and accesories

www.legacyvehicles.co.uk

 

[Borris]

When this was in Leeds station the other day I assumed they had brought it in due to the diesel shortage! View attachment 85248

Glorious!

I was talking to the ticket collector whilst riding on train pulled by Tornado on the West Somerset railway some years ago and he told me that it was a wonderful machine but they had been experiencing cracking in the boiler welds. Unlike riveted boilers on period steam trains this modern express loco had a welded boiler made in Gernany. He went on to explain that in the day many steam trains remained hot all the time unless they were pulled out of service for a periodic full clean and inspection. The trouble with steam trains today is that being used on preservation lines they are steamed and cooled in repeated cycles and it was that which was thought to be the cause of these cracks.

It was an interesting discussion which took place shortly after Tornados introduction. As far as I know it is true. I'm just amazed and delighted that we can still make such wonderful machines.

I don’t think Bozza has much on today ?

Trousers, shirt, socks and undercrackers actually.

 

[66tim99]

They are only original once.

Was surprised to hear there’s no cutting or welding on these, and owners sometimes keep the engine so it can be returned to stock. I think if a lovely unloved car can have a second life, it’s a positive

 

[sidepod]

I’m not sure I understand what the point is of e-classics?
Volumes are minuscule so they’re not saving the planet.
There is no supply problems with existing power trains, they’re repairable and available so they’re not filling a hole there.
Anyone converting such a vehicle is also converting its value to virtually nothing which is insane.

Enlighten me?

 

[Borris]

Was surprised to hear there’s no cutting or welding on these, and owners sometimes keep the engine so it can be returned to stock. I think if a lovely unloved car can have a second life, it’s a positive

Yes I understand that they can make a very neat job of it and they say that it doesn't do any damage to the body. However, the whole appeal of older cars is that they are from a bygone era. Their history, noise, smell, unreliability, and tinkerability along with a big dollop of the nostalgia factor is why these vehicles are still popular and haven't been scrapped. Ripping out that classic's beating flat six race tuned heart only to replace it with a near silent electric motor would be like putting a battery operated electric movement in an antique grandfather clock or a replacing the glorious V12 Rolls Royce Merlin in a Supermarine Spitfire. Utterly pointless.
Only done buy those with no understanding or beating heart imo!

 

[sidepod]

I couldn’t even bring myself to click on the e-911 link !

 

[Vagophile]

I have always been tempted by one of these glorious steam jobs though

As a young boy, the farm where I lived had two Fowler steam engines used for ploughing. When the farmer bought an International crawler to do the ploughing, the Fowlers were consigned to the corner of the last field where they had worked. We played on them for about six years before they were sold for scrap.

 

[Vagophile]

Glorious!

Down memory lane again! I was one of a group of children who used to visit (unofficially) a signalman in a box on the East Coast main line. Under supervision, I have signalled through nearly all of the great steam locomotives of that era. One even set fire to a corn crop in an adjacent field.

 

[Borris]

A matched pair of Fowler ploughing engines with ploughing tackle must be worth a fortune now. I believe there is still a set operating as a commercial business somewhere. They specialise in dredging ponds and lakes I believe. The are used as tools so when I last saw them they were deliciously filthy and covered in mud. Quite a site.

 

[andyinluton]

Ripping out that classic's beating flat six race tuned heart only to replace it with a near silent electric motor

Its a 912 not a 911 so started life with a 1.6 litre flat four, was awful when it was new, a real sheep in wolfs clothing.
If it had been a decent 911 I would be agreeing with you, but in this case almost anything is better than the original.

 

[sidepod]

Its a 912 not a 911 so started life with a 1.6 litre flat four, was awful when it was new, a real sheep in wolfs clothing.
If it had been a decent 911 I would be agreeing with you, but in this case almost anything is better than the original.

Should be plenty of takers for the e-718 conversion then

 

[Borris]

Its a 912 not a 911 so started life with a 1.6 litre flat four, was awful when it was new, a real sheep in wolfs clothing.
If it had been a decent 911 I would be agreeing with you, but in this case almost anything is better than the original.

I stand corrected. I'm not into such modern stuff. Accordingly, it wouldn't bother me that much if it was converted.

 

[66tim99]

I stand corrected. I'm not into such modern stuff. Accordingly, it wouldn't bother me that much if it was converted.

1968 is modern!
Well I see your point owning two veteran cars.
Of course I agree with you @Borris, and I'm sure George V would too - those heirlooms need preserving first and enhancing very carefully, but an old (not ancient!) Porsche 912? I'd much rather see it having a second life being used, with no emissions, than sitting in a garage or rusting in a barn with its original engine.

 

[sidepod]

Interesting series of programmes on EVness.

Electric Ride UK - Episode 3 - BBC Sounds

Peter Curran travels from Lands’ End to John O’Groats in an electric car.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Velma's Dad]

For me it's not even really about originality, it's about soul. I'd rather own this guy's (replica) car for one day, than any original 1950s Ferrari with a washing machine motor shoved up its jumper.