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Our EV Conversion Gets A Curvaceous Body

WIRED.COM -- By Matthew Redd

My DIY electric car project has officially started: I bought a car to convert, a sky blue ‘67 VW Beetle. I’ve had my eye on it for awhile. Now that I’ve got the title in hand, there’s no turning back.

So why a Beetle? Easy. They’re cheap, they’re light and parts are easier to find than sand in the Sahara. They also have the complexity of a screen door, which is a plus because I’ve got no automotive skills to speak of. EVs are pretty simple machines: A motor, batteries and a controller. You can rig them to run extras like power steering and power brakes, but that adds complexity. The Bug doesn’t have such perks. It’s perfect for my needs.

I paid $500 for it. That’s a great price considering its condition and the number of new parts it’s got. The paint is a little dull, bu


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Submitted Nov 06, 2009 By: UncleCurt
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Author Topic: Our EV Conversion Gets A Curvaceous Body Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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alterman156 Car icon
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 6:19:04 PM

It is interesting to find out about an electric VW Beetle.
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cagustin Car icon
Rookie Author Fresno

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:16:33 PM

Curvaceous and Green Power. Oh yeah. Nice car to start for those with little automotive skills...
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POLELANE Car icon
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 10:11:14 AM

Karman Ghia vs. the thing
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pigmanTX Car icon
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 10:07:44 AM

VW Beetle is not the first thing that pops into my mind when someone says "Curvaceous Body".
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DerHahn Car icon
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 8:31:52 AM

keep up the development and don't let the oil companies destroy the progress.
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Petrock Car icon
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:54:07 AM

This looks like it will be a whole lot of work to me. I wonder what the total cost of converting the vehicle will be once its finished and up and running.
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Metroman Car icon
Champion Author Philadelphia

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:54:05 AM

Hope it works
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MikLamb Car icon
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:53:42 AM

My first car was a 69 green Bug, sigh.
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Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:41:16 AM

On his way.
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Champion Author Manitoba

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:16:32 AM

good luck
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Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:12:59 AM

Definitely only good for short hops in town so then got to have another vehicle for travel or maybe more than 15--20 mi one way. But still good for that purpose.
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Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:12:43 AM

cool
VW always ahead in car industry
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outlaw329 Car icon
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:05:04 AM

VW getting all the love today!
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Champion Author San Bernardino

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:00:30 AM

Hope You can find a receptacle somewhere if You run outa juice out there in the middle of the desert before one of those parts storms kicks-up.
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Champion Author Manitoba

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:57:48 AM

Wow, Beetle and curvaceous in the same sentence?

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Champion Author Kansas

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:56:31 AM

Yea really, going to have to rename this site "VOLKS NEWS".......
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tomok Car icon
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:49:09 AM

Get an old VW bug, with a good body, and make it an EV. Add a motor, batteries, a controller, tires and a new paint job. Many people are doing the same thing in many parts of the US and Canada.
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Champion Author West Virginia

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:48:02 AM

An interesting article. It is truely amazing what an individual can do when they put their mind to it.
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greatscot08 Car icon
All-Star Author Columbus

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:41:55 AM

WOW! Two VW stories on the same day......
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Champion Author Oregon

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:38:42 AM

Hope it wasn't one bound for Germany in the last article, LOL.
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Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:35:03 AM

Whatever turns you on
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Champion Author California

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:09:58 AM

Interesting. Most conversions seem to start with bigger cars. Smaller and lighter cars will greatly improve the range of the electric vehicle.
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All-Star Author Calgary

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:57:57 AM

I think $500, too much for a old bug.
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Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:57:34 AM

what is the point?
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Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:56:43 AM

A car like this is meant to be original, I wouldn't mod. it too much.
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Veteran Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:53:53 AM

LOL, i agree with twobroke61. this would make more money being restored and sold to a collector. :)
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Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:40:14 AM

Good luck with this project.
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Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:33:18 AM

sounds good but i think i would restore it and keep it for a collector and car shows
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All-Star Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:33:15 AM

Good luck!
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Champion Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:29:53 AM

They should bring origanel bug back. hi mileage car would sell like hotcakes
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Champion Author Omaha

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:12:43 AM

Good deal -you can!t buy a ridding lawn mower for #500.00.
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Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:12:17 AM

u wud be better to restore it
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Champion Author Louisiana

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:11:28 AM

What happens during a wreck and all of those batteries bust.
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Sophomore Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:05:21 AM

hmmm
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Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:00:07 AM

Interesting.
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Champion Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:51:47 AM

We had a '67 also. My kids called it the Thunderbug.
It was great on fuel....but back then regular was selling
for 25-30 cents a gallon at the service station where
some guy named Tom pumped the gas, checked the oil and
cleaned your windshield and some stations even gave green stamps.

Nobody cared about the price then, You could drive it for
almost 2 weeks for about $2.00 of gas
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Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:48:43 AM

ooh lala
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speedys Car icon
Champion Author Utah

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:38:58 AM

A beetle is a good place to start for a DIY project.
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Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:28:07 AM

Good starting point.
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All-Star Author Houston

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:24:52 AM

DIY, ok.
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Champion Author Colorado Springs

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:13:45 AM

Don't forget the Electric Brakes and Steering...
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comprof Car icon
All-Star Author Houston

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:11:39 AM

Great, lets all start manufacturing electrical cars from junk.
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Veteran Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:09:14 AM

Another very interesting story, but what has it got to do with gas prices?
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Champion Author Salt Lake City

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:54:09 AM

Interesting story.
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Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:54:02 AM

Good luck!
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Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:38:05 AM

This looks like a repeat to me.
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Champion Author Oklahoma

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:26:30 AM

Good luck with this project.
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Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:25:16 AM

ok, now what?
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Champion Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:22:24 AM

i agree renegasegas
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Champion Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:21:34 AM

Why would you ruin a 67 Bug with this?
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