ahebron Posted August 16, 2023 Report Share Posted August 16, 2023 At 1.45 into the video there is what looks like a red Mk2 Vitesse Convertible in the background Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted August 16, 2023 Report Share Posted August 16, 2023 Well, there's already an electric Herald... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted August 16, 2023 Report Share Posted August 16, 2023 Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 16, 2023 Report Share Posted August 16, 2023 A challenge I suppose... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted August 17, 2023 Report Share Posted August 17, 2023 (edited) Doug Edited August 17, 2023 by dougbgt6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 17, 2023 Report Share Posted August 17, 2023 An alternative to sacks of cement to keep the rear end more stable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Flinn Posted August 17, 2023 Report Share Posted August 17, 2023 I've seen the Electric Vitesse featured on the Vitesse International Facebook group. It looks to be a very nicely restored Vitesse, but one of the attractions for me is the lovely 6 Cylinder Engine and the noise it makes? I do drive an Hybrid Golf as my main transport, it is an excellent car. But not for a Vitesse in my opinion. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky_Spit Posted August 17, 2023 Report Share Posted August 17, 2023 (edited) Am I right in thinking that a 40 year old plus "Vehicle of Historic Interest" loses that status once a conversion such as above has been carried out? I remember reading something a while ago about a very nice Mk1 Mini that had been converted and through a series of curcumstances to do with age and Type Approval (I think) it became almost worthless as it could no longer legally be registered for the road with its original number plate , due to the fact that it's motive power was not in period, and the modifications to the subframes were considered as "not in period" and it therefore had to have a Q plate issued under the Totting Up process? How do companies that do the conversions get around that? Edited August 17, 2023 by Sparky_Spit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted August 17, 2023 Report Share Posted August 17, 2023 Seen At the Weekend, At a small event in our Village?. Reg; No would appear to be in period? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted August 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2023 https://www.evclassic.co.nz/triumph-gt6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky_Spit Posted August 18, 2023 Report Share Posted August 18, 2023 Hmm... so I see, it does. There must have been something different about the Mini I mentioned above that made it non-compliant with the VHI or Type Approval in this case. I'll have to find the original article to find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigolf Posted August 18, 2023 Report Share Posted August 18, 2023 I personally believe that converting any classic car is tearing the heart and soul of the car out. I don't care that once converted they are much faster and silent. To me, they have all the charisma of a washing machine. As for an electric Vitesse.....NO!!!😡 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted August 18, 2023 Report Share Posted August 18, 2023 But owners put in more modern ICE, gearboxes etc. including conversion to EFI, so isn't electric conversions another step?. Some conversions have very little of the original car left, apart from looking about like when it left the factory. It's their car to do with as they wish. Regards Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted August 18, 2023 Report Share Posted August 18, 2023 45 minutes ago, Sparky_Spit said: Hmm... so I see, it does. There must have been something different about the Mini I mentioned above that made it non-compliant with the VHI or Type Approval in this case. I'll have to find the original article to find out. Actually, The index is a Prefix, which indicates a 1987 Plate?, So late(ish) BL product, probably a "Longbridge" car?. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted August 18, 2023 Report Share Posted August 18, 2023 1 hour ago, 68vitesse said: But owners put in more modern ICE, gearboxes etc. including conversion to EFI, so isn't electric conversions another step?. Some conversions have very little of the original car left, apart from looking about like when it left the factory. Aha! That's the question: at what point does an upgrade / improvement go a step too far? Uprated sealed beams... halogen headlamps... HID headlamps... then angel eyes... or 1200 Triumph engine to 1500 Triumph engine to 1800 Triumph engine and then to Mazda engine... I suppose it all boils down to personal taste and what we believe it the limit before things go astray. I agree it's their car to do with as they wish, but I don't agree with the smugness we often experience that tells me theirs is better 'because'.... and the rest of us are all dinosaurs because we can't see that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qu1ckn1ck Posted August 18, 2023 Report Share Posted August 18, 2023 Seen this week. Certainly does not cause me grief if owners choose to trash their Beetles ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted August 18, 2023 Report Share Posted August 18, 2023 He's gone to all the expense of an electric conversion when the VW's paintwork is blebbing everywhere! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted August 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2023 I have no objection to converting any vehicle to electric as long as the original parts are retained and the conversion can be retrofitted back to original. If it keeps our cars on the road then it is an option. You can easily fit a low powered motor so the drivetrain and brakes don't get stressed and the electronics can be tuned to mimic the combustion engine. Battery tech is getting better so range anxiety will be gone. I am sure in a few years time after they get the noise simulation of rattly tappets spot on they will also get it to leak coloured vegetable oil from strategically placed reservoirs and with similar setups smoke and steam. Might even be able to program breakdowns due to age and mileage but that is more an MG thing. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigolf Posted August 19, 2023 Report Share Posted August 19, 2023 I suspect most, if not all, people who go down the conversion route have no intention of keeping the original engine,gbox etc, otherwise why bother converting?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted August 19, 2023 Report Share Posted August 19, 2023 20 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said: Aha! That's the question: at what point does an upgrade / improvement go a step too far? I bought the car for what it is, surely if someone needs to alter the car that much why buy it in the first place. Upgrade a very much misused word in my opinion and any perceived improvement open to question if you dare. Regards Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahebron Posted August 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 (edited) Found it, he admits to not knowing much about the Triumph so you can forgive some of his mistakes. Personally I would put a few more batteries in the boot to increase range and bugger the space. Anyone recognise the car? The chap in the video mentions they do the conversions so they can be put back to original. Edited August 20, 2023 by ahebron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 20, 2023 Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 Yes but think Id put the extra batteries in the front to pull it down a bit more. Looks like theres plenty of room.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted August 20, 2023 Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 15 minutes ago, johny said: Yes but think Id put the extra batteries in the front to pull it down a bit more. Looks like theres plenty of room.... For this vid there are no batteries in it which is why the front is high. He talks at length about weight and balance. They still use the gearbox for ease of fitment, he says it's not used much because of the torque available from the motor, but I can't see it lasting long for the same reason! Doug 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted August 20, 2023 Report Share Posted August 20, 2023 Ah didnt listen well enough and thought that tank in the boot contained the batteries. Agree on the gearbox and drive train unless theyve got electronic limit on the starting torque.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigolf Posted August 21, 2023 Report Share Posted August 21, 2023 I do wonder how long the various suspension bushes will last with all that extra weight of batteries...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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