Classic car ownership can occasionally seem somewhat challenging. Constant maintenance, unexpected oil, hardly ever on the road – a familiar tale with many a classic car owner.
But despite that, we know how much owners adore their classics, and behind each one of our classic car EV conversions there is a unique story. So why do customers come to us for a conversion?
Sometimes they’re looking for practicality, other times they want to drive more sustainably. No matter their intention, we take the time to listen to what they want out of the conversion and bring them along with us throughout the process.
Here’s a look back at some of our favourite conversions and our customers’ thoughts behind them. . .
BMW Isetta
The car that started off the bubble car craze, this 1950s classic is a special one. With its compact design and front door opening, it certainly draws some attention.
The owner of this particular model, Robert, longed to have a practical city car. Of course, it's already the perfect size for that tight parking, but he found it awkward to drive, and it was never a relaxing experience.
Happily, our EV conversion changed all that, and he now says, “Electrification has turned an old friend, which I rarely drove, into a practical run-around I use most days when I am in London.”
FUN FACT: Three Isettas ran in the 1954 Mille Miglia, winning their class at an average of 43 mph.
VW Beetle
Another one of our small but mighty conversions and another nickname – the Bug. Beetles are a popular car to convert, and we’ve had quite a number through our workshop over the years.
This late Mexican model was chosen for its looks and potential. Having owned various Beetles since the 1970s, the owner, Myra, was on the lookout for an EV, but nothing could surpass the looks of her favourite classic. Another problem she faced was finding mechanics experienced enough in maintaining old Beetles, so opting for an electric conversion was the perfect solution.
Now she’s got the best of both worlds. We asked Myra what her favourite thing about the conversion was. She said, “I enjoy having an EV because it’s low emission and easy to drive – it’s like having an automatic! It’s easy to charge and so much cheaper than before.”
Fun Fact: Built for 65 years between 1938 and 2003, the original Beetle set the mark for the longest-produced vehicle in auto history.
Mercedes 230 SL
There’s no denying that the 230 SL has a whole load of curb appeal, and as Sir Stirling Moss said himself, "I cannot remember ever driving a car that I would like to own more."
Despite its allure, this is another classic that hasn’t come without its problems. The 230 SL is known for cold starts and rattly auto transmissions. The owner, Dennis, had issues with responsiveness, acceleration, and of course - maintenance.
Since conversion, he’s found the car to be “utterly maintenance-free” and is able to use it for mundane daily trips to the shops or for a cruise about town.
We were lucky enough to carry out a full restoration and conversion on this one, so it got the full Retroelectric experience. For more of the story, see our feature in last year’s Premier Magazine.
Fun Fact: The Mercedes 230 SL celebrated its 60th birthday last year.
What to expect from a conversion with Retroelectric
No two classic cars are the same, so each project we take on will have a bespoke approach.
We start with a consultation to understand your conversion requirements. After that, we’ll complete an engineering study and preliminary design, which will be sent to you in a clear proposal.
All conversions are carried out by our IMI-qualified technicians. We’ll keep you regularly updated with photos and a written progress report. If you have any questions along the way, we’ll be on hand to answer them.
Once the conversion is complete, we’ll deliver your car to your door, and a member of the team will talk you through each aspect of the conversion. They’ll take you out for a drive and explain the new functions so you can be confident before they leave. Finally, we offer a free electrical check-up in the first 6 months to ensure everything is running smoothly. For more details about our conversion process, head over here.
A final note from us
Whatever the motivation behind a customer’s decision to convert their car, we understand how precious it is. Our expert team carries out our conversions with the utmost attention to detail, remaining sensitive to the car’s integrity and history.
Whether you’re looking to drive greener or you want to extend the life of your classic, Retroelectric is here to help. Contact us to see what we can do for you.
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