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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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alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:2,480 Points:579,875 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 6:19:04 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse It is interesting to find out about an electric VW Beetle.
cagustin Rookie Author Fresno Posts:99 Points:34,880 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:16:33 PM Ignore cagustin Report Abuse Curvaceous and Green Power. Oh yeah. Nice car to start for those with little automotive skills...
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:6,303 Points:717,270 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 10:11:14 AM Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse Karman Ghia vs. the thing
pigmanTX Champion Author Houston Posts:1,281 Points:369,735 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 10:07:44 AM Ignore pigmanTX Report Abuse VW Beetle is not the first thing that pops into my mind when someone says "Curvaceous Body".
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,100 Points:1,145,300 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 8:31:52 AM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse keep up the development and don't let the oil companies destroy the progress.
Petrock Champion Author Lexington Posts:4,403 Points:1,600,480 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:54:07 AM Ignore Petrock Report Abuse 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.
Metroman Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:8,197 Points:1,643,395 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:54:05 AM Ignore Metroman Report Abuse Hope it works
MikLamb Champion Author Texas Posts:3,048 Points:1,199,140 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:53:42 AM Ignore MikLamb Report Abuse My first car was a 69 green Bug, sigh.
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:10,078 Points:1,475,135 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:41:16 AM Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse On his way.
cathevan Champion Author Manitoba Posts:2,132 Points:523,105 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:16:32 AM Ignore cathevan Report Abuse good luck
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,776 Points:523,325 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:12:59 AM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse 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.
ThatHunt Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,590 Points:1,222,705 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:12:43 AM Ignore ThatHunt Report Abuse cool VW always ahead in car industry
outlaw329 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,786 Points:461,070 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:05:04 AM Ignore outlaw329 Report Abuse VW getting all the love today!
runinoutagas Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:3,287 Points:642,350 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 4:00:30 AM Ignore runinoutagas Report Abuse 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.
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:5,535 Points:930,645 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:57:48 AM Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse Wow, Beetle and curvaceous in the same sentence?
harleydoctor Champion Author Kansas Posts:2,480 Points:962,405 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:56:31 AM Ignore harleydoctor Report Abuse Yea really, going to have to rename this site "VOLKS NEWS".......
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:18,287 Points:1,365,085 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:49:09 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse 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.
goldseeker Champion Author West Virginia Posts:12,875 Points:1,743,365 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:48:02 AM Ignore goldseeker Report Abuse An interesting article. It is truely amazing what an individual can do when they put their mind to it.
greatscot08 All-Star Author Columbus Posts:944 Points:187,460 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:41:55 AM Ignore greatscot08 Report Abuse WOW! Two VW stories on the same day......
EXTREMESNOW Champion Author Medford Posts:4,505 Points:948,760 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:38:42 AM Ignore EXTREMESNOW Report Abuse Hope it wasn't one bound for Germany in the last article, LOL.
ILVET Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,885 Points:1,959,870 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:35:03 AM Ignore ILVET Report Abuse Whatever turns you on
jcurley Champion Author California Posts:3,392 Points:834,915 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 3:09:58 AM Ignore jcurley Report Abuse Interesting. Most conversions seem to start with bigger cars. Smaller and lighter cars will greatly improve the range of the electric vehicle.
GMVAN Champion Author Calgary Posts:1,810 Points:425,030 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:57:57 AM Ignore GMVAN Report Abuse I think $500, too much for a old bug.
DosEquis26 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,927 Points:1,089,035 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:57:34 AM Ignore DosEquis26 Report Abuse what is the point?
FASTR1 Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,255 Points:835,570 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:56:43 AM Ignore FASTR1 Report Abuse A car like this is meant to be original, I wouldn't mod. it too much.
dmark101 Veteran Author Los Angeles Posts:412 Points:77,910 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:53:53 AM Ignore dmark101 Report Abuse LOL, i agree with twobroke61. this would make more money being restored and sold to a collector. :)
pbc2001 Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,311 Points:416,430 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:40:14 AM Ignore pbc2001 Report Abuse Good luck with this project.
twobroke61 Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,433 Points:619,060 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:33:18 AM Ignore twobroke61 Report Abuse sounds good but i think i would restore it and keep it for a collector and car shows
ops3 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,229 Points:737,025 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:33:15 AM Ignore ops3 Report Abuse Good luck!
BigDogOH Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,527 Points:828,390 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:29:53 AM Ignore BigDogOH Report Abuse They should bring origanel bug back. hi mileage car would sell like hotcakes
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:3,605 Points:1,338,540 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:12:43 AM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse Good deal -you can!t buy a ridding lawn mower for #500.00.
findcheap Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,648 Points:1,030,665 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:12:17 AM Ignore findcheap Report Abuse u wud be better to restore it
yankeeboy7 Champion Author Louisiana Posts:7,819 Points:500,950 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:11:28 AM Ignore yankeeboy7 Report Abuse What happens during a wreck and all of those batteries bust.
Crash2201 Sophomore Author San Antonio Posts:137 Points:94,015 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:05:21 AM Ignore Crash2201 Report Abuse hmmm
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,089 Points:769,200 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 2:00:07 AM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Interesting.
genef01 Champion Author Nashville Posts:2,158 Points:698,340 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:51:47 AM Ignore genef01 Report Abuse 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
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,785 Points:675,095 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:48:43 AM Ignore danreino Report Abuse ooh lala
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:2,081 Points:1,580,070 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:38:58 AM Ignore speedys Report Abuse A beetle is a good place to start for a DIY project.
ItsMorph Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:26,682 Points:2,207,210 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:28:07 AM Ignore ItsMorph Report Abuse Good starting point.
Edtx2009 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,295 Points:267,340 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:24:52 AM Ignore Edtx2009 Report Abuse DIY, ok.
nurdco Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:3,803 Points:714,055 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:13:45 AM Ignore nurdco Report Abuse Don't forget the Electric Brakes and Steering...
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:1,769 Points:387,300 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:11:39 AM Ignore comprof Report Abuse Great, lets all start manufacturing electrical cars from junk.
fillibuster Veteran Author British Columbia Posts:473 Points:525,155 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 1:09:14 AM Ignore fillibuster Report Abuse Another very interesting story, but what has it got to do with gas prices?
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:4,220 Points:1,010,765 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:54:09 AM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse Interesting story.
letmathe Champion Author Chicago Posts:10,007 Points:2,283,565 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:54:02 AM Ignore letmathe Report Abuse Good luck!
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,518 Points:885,745 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:38:05 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse This looks like a repeat to me.
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,121 Points:718,085 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:26:30 AM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse Good luck with this project.
grouch311 Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,039 Points:670,980 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:25:16 AM Ignore grouch311 Report Abuse ok, now what?
spike1zz Champion Author Indiana Posts:5,160 Points:643,570 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:22:24 AM Ignore spike1zz Report Abuse i agree renegasegas
RENEGADEGAS Champion Author Missouri Posts:7,648 Points:615,180 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 7, 2009 12:21:34 AM Ignore RENEGADEGAS Report Abuse Why would you ruin a 67 Bug with this?