commuter electric cars-1965-2000 era :)

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cfz2882

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...small,simple,limited capability electric cars suitable for grocery getting,and other town use :) Citicar/Comutacar-(1974-82),Italian Elcar(~1972-75),and other similar cars along with the Corbin Sparrow of ~1998-2000(a single seat 3-wheeler)I think these are pretty interesting and practical when used correctly.SCR motor drives and exotic batteries became avalible in the mid-'60s,but most of these,pre-1990s,including the iconic citi/comuta car,had no electronics and just switched the battery connection for stepped power/speed ranges-electric golf cart technology.Anyone else like these minimalist vehicles :)
 
Oh yes. I actually live in the town where the Citicar and Comutacar were built! Remember seeing several years ago a convention here and they were driving all around downtown area.

Don't see very many around here though in general. In the historical society museum at the pubic library there is a restored Citicar on display though. I did see one in a driveway recently, cannot recall where however.

Remember the GEM vehicles being sold in the early 2000s, basically a glorified golf cart but apparently could be enclosed as well. Haven't seen any in a while though.
 
citi/comuta cars

would love to have one of those-just sooo seventies-right from the malaise/polyester era:) upgraded 76.5-82 version had a GE 6 HP motor directly driving the pinion of the Dana-supplied rear diff.Seems interior heating was done by ducting spent motor cooling air into the cabin-almost no heat,but would get ozone and carbon dust from the brushes blown inside :)Late version has clunky rubber front bumper sticking out,butwould be funny to modify the bumper to resemble an 8-track cartridge sticking out the front for a little period "kitsch" :)
 
conversions

There were some interesting conversions of conventional cars at the time too.

I used to read the US Popular Mechanics (or similar name) in the school library, they showed one conversion which was based on a VW beetle floor pan, but with a groovy 70s body made of plywood and fibreglass and some sort of electric power train, the details of which I forget. I also remember reading about a US university that converted a Hillman Imp to electric - not sure if Imps were sold in the US or if it was specially imported. Imps were a seriously cute little car, like a Corvair that shrunk in the wash, with a sophisticated aluminium engine that proved prone to overheating, and appalling build quality, so a dicey basis for a conversion. (I love Imps myself, but classic car enthusiasm isn't a rational business...) Maybe a modern electrric conversion of an Imp is a project for the future...?

 

I remember Briggs and Stratton made a prototype hybrid car, with a B&S engine driving a generator to recharge the electric car's batteries. Anyone got links to a picture of that? Would have been late 1970s.
 
I remember reading about that B&S hybrid-had tandem rear wheels to better support the battery pack and(IIRC)18 HP opposed twin up front.I always thought a Fiat Strada(Ritmo)~1979,would make a cool commuter electric conversion-car just has the right "look"For that :)The imp would be cool to have-never seen one over here,but cool rear engine install on those-kinda similar to a Fiat 850 or Skoda 110-either of which I would also like...A local guy was working on converting a Chevy Chevette to electric,was going to add an extra pulley to the motor so a couple alternators could be belt driven to charge back the batteries as car was used...Stayed mum-didn't want to spoil his plans.
 
re; 70's conversions-

Yes, the EAC company of Troy Michigan made a small number of "Silver Volt" badged AMC Hornet wagons in 1977 using a 32 h.p. dc motor. A small 9 h.p. petrol motor was used to run the power assists. A price of $14,500 US dollars was quoted, and the car was credited with a top speed of 70 m.ph. and a range of70 to 100 miles. The Transformer 1, a Chevelle Malibu Classic coupe, using a Chevrolet 4.2 litre inline six to run the generator. Power locks, windows, and power sunroof were standard equipment. A Cadillac based 6 seater sedan followed in 1979, likely the Seville. The second Silver Volt emerged in 1981 as the boxy downsized for 1978 Buick Century wagon. Full production was promissed for 1982. We entered a recession that year as well. Source: complete encyclopedia of automobiles, 1982 printing by G.N. Gorgiano.
 
"gas car" conversions

was about to start on an electric conversion back in 1998 on a ~1982 Renault Le Car-found the nice near mint condition Le Car in a junkyard but just before I was going to ask about it,a big hailstorm hit the yard and smashed it up...Thought the car was just perfect for my plan with the long wheelbase for size,small overall size,skinny tires,good underhood room,steering wheel was even at the correct angle :)Car had that fabric roof panel that rolled back like a sardine tin lid-a bit of a bother maybe,but could be a nice feature on a summer day.If I ever find another broken down Renault in good condition...I don't need a commuter electric,but I know and like motors,batteries,control systems,so would be doing this for kicks :)
 
That reminds me of a Nissan Leaf.....

I have a book about how to convert a gasser to electric.  I saw an old VW Beetle with an electric motor in it online once.  There was an article in Motortrend last year with a new electric Corvette.

Anyone on here remember the GM Sunrayce back in 1990?  They were all futuristic looking solar powered cars.  They actually went through my hometown and I was able to take pics of them. 
images


Remember the GM EV-1?

sunraycer-3.jpg


 
 
EV1...

...was a really good 1990s electric car-first couple years had lead-acid AGM batts then NIMH were used.After leases ran out,GM recalled and junked most,sending a few with disabled drive systems to museums and universities,but looks like a few have survived intact and had original drive system restored back to operating condition :)
 

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