Find out how the world’s most famous classical cars would look if they were brought back to life for the electric era, and if you should be thinking of converting your current classic car to electric.
Classic cars and the electrification of cars are both in the news at the moment, as two worlds begin to collide. Two things that have begun to happen:
- Manufacturers are bringing back previous classics, redesigned and repurposed for an electric era as motorists yearn for old school styling with an electric twist.
- Some owners are converting their current petrol-powered classic cars to electric, much to the dismay of classic car bodies and the majority of enthusiasts.
In this post on the WhoCanFixMyCar blog, we look at both sides of these developing trends, from what it would look like if 6 of the most iconic cars in history were brought back to life and redesigned in an electric era, to the pros and cons of converting your current classic car to electric and the impact on its value.
How 6 Iconic Classic Cars Would Look in an Electric Era
Car manufacturers have begun to take notice of the “classic meets electric” craze and are bringing back electric versions of historical classics. Volkswagen recently announced that they will be begin production of an updated version of their legendary VW campervan, the ID Buzz, in 2022. The ID Buzz is an all-electric, autonomous-capable throwback to the most iconic vehicle of the 60’s.
How 6 Iconic Classic Cars Would Look in an Electric Era
Car manufacturers have begun to take notice of the “classic meets electric” craze and are bringing back electric versions of historical classics. Volkswagen recently announced that they will be begin production of an updated version of their legendary VW campervan, the ID Buzz, in 2022. The ID Buzz is an all-electric, autonomous-capable throwback to the most iconic vehicle of the 60’s.
Honda are also getting in on the act. During the 2019 International Motor Show in Germany, the production version of their new Honda E was unveiled for the very first time. Many onlookers commented on the cars retro styling, taking much of its aesthetics from the first generation Civic which was first released in 1973. The car is set to be on roads this Summer and will start from £26,160.
That got us at WhoCanFixMyCar thinking, how would other classics look if they were brought back to life and updated for the electric era? We choose our 6 favourite iconic cars and gave them an electrifying update…
Aston Martin DB5
The Aston Martin DB5 was dubbed “the most famous car in the world” during the 1964 New York World’s Fair – and we tend to agree. Known for being James Bond’s preferred set of wheels, the DB5 has a place in the heart of motoring enthusiasts around the world.
Our concept image of an electric-powered DB5 above is making it way through the English countryside, somewhere it feels right at home. The iconic shape of the car has been maintained but electric styling has been added, such as the circular headlights, wing cameras that project a video of the side of the car into the cockpit and futuristic spoke alloy wheels.
Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic
Created by Jean Bugatti, the son of the company’s founder Ettore, the Type 57 is instantly recognisable to car fans around the world. In 2018, the car won the prestigious Peninsula Classics Best of the Best award and one version of only four versions to exist is famously owned by Ralph Lauren.
On our Type 57 e concept, we’ve added distinctive wheel arches independent from the rest of the body of the car as a throwback to the original Atlantic. The cabin is made out of curved glass to give the occupants a panoramic view while maintaining the distinctive curved roof of the previous generation. We think it wouldn’t look out of place in a Batman movie!
Jaguar E-Type
Ranked by many as the finest classic car of them all, the Jaguar E-Type was produced between 1961 and 1975. The car has since established itself as an icon of the motoring world due to a combination of its high performance, beauty and affordable pricing. Even Enzo Ferrari was impressed, calling it the “most beautiful car ever made”. It has long been rumoured that Jaguar would release an electric version of the E-Type, however it has so far not materialised.
In our concept image showing an electric version of the E-Type, the classic long front end has been maintained while we’ve added a wrap around glass cabin to update the car for the modern era. Distinctive, sharp wheel arches have replaced the previous arching and now house updated classical Jaguar spoke wheels.
Lamborghini Miura P400 SV
Famously appearing in the opening scene of heist film the Italian Job to the background music of Matt Monro “On Days Like These” the Lamborghini Miura is a cultural icon of its time. It was the first supercar in history to opt for the now typical rear-engined two-seat layout, the standard for supercars in the modern era.
As you can see from our render above, an updated, electric version of the Miura would be a welcome site on the roads of Italy and the rest of the world. The striking circular headlights have been kept on the car as a throwback to a bygone era, and the car has been lowered to match current trends in the supercar category. The front grille has been removed to create a sharper, more modern aesthetic.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Only 1,400 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing’s were ever built, adding to their prestige and desirability. The car is based on the highly successful race car, the 1952 W194, and was the first production vehicle to feature a direct fuel-injection engine. This led to the car’s nickname “the racecar of the street”. Celebrities such as Pablo Picasso, Jan Manuel Fangio and Paul Newman all owned a 300 SL Gullwing.
Our 2020 electric version of the 300 SL Gullwing includes an illuminated Mercedes-Benz badge in its grille. The famous gullwing doors have been kept as they are still considered to be a futuristic design to this day. Updated side vents have been added to the sides of the car, which now cool the electric motor, oil and air conditioning rather than a petrol-powered engine.
Shelby Cobra
Developed by famous American car engineer Carroll Shelby in 1961, the Shelby Cobra is one of the most iconic cars to come off any production line in history. The very first Cobra ever built, used as Shelby’s personal car and prototype, sold in 2016 for $13.75m. It is the most expensive American car ever sold.
Keeping the iconic, chunky Goodyear tyres and the famous racing stripes down the middle of the car, our render above shows what a modern electrified Shelby Cobra could look like. The Cobra now features a roll bar over both seats, rather than just the drivers side. We’ve also added small vents on the side of the car as a throwback to the original Shelby’s side exhausts, now not needed due to electrification.
Is Your Classic Car Still a Classic if you Convert it to Electric?
The other side to the “classic meets electric” trend is current owners of petrol-powered classic cars converting them to electric. However, this has created some uproar in the classic car community, with many posing the question: Is a classic car still a classic if it’s converted to electric?
The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), a worldwide federative association of historic automotive clubs, doesn’t seem to think so. In October 2019 they issued a statement hitting out at those owners who have decided to convert their classics to electric. They said they were unable to promote or support the conversions of classic cars to electric power because the car is no longer in its original state. However, many owners of classic cars disagree stating that a classic car is still a classic no matter how it is powered.
To get the inside track and find out what’s really going on, we at WhoCanFixMyCar spoke to Joseph Salama, CEO of Jack’s Garage, specialists at converting petrol-powered classic Volkswagens such as the Beetle and iconic Campervan to electric. German firm eClassics, partnered with Volkswagen, choose Jack’s Garage to be the first in the UK to offer this service to the market – so he really knows what he’s talking about!
Would you consider a classic car to still be a classic if converted to electric?
“Initially NO! However, on much reflection, and a considerably steep learning curve I have come to the conclusion that it is inevitable that almost ALL vehicles in the future will be either powered by electricity or some kind of gas derivative (eventually). And so, a classic car will still be a classic weather its powered by petrol, electricity or even gas!
From owning and running my own garage in central London for well over a decade, specialising in classic VW’s, I have come to the sad conclusion that in reality, the ICE industry (Internal Combustion Engine) is quite simply a dying industry. Day by day. I say this with a very, very sad and heavy heart. I love the way my Frank, my beloved ’66 air-cooled VW Beetle purrs along after a good tune up.
However, we all must grow up and put our toys away… but we can keep one or two for sentimentality.”
Do you expect a classic car to depreciate in value if converted to electric?
“When a classic vehicle is converted into an electric vehicle it effectively is future proofed. The ultimate value of the vehicle is of course relative to the quality and components used in the conversion process. Second hand, recycled components will yield a lesser end value than brand new OEM components.
The second major point to consider when answering your question is the originality and uniqueness of the vehicle in question. In essence a vehicle’s value may be increased dramatically through the EV conversion process, and equally it may be considerably reduced by the same process.
So, in conclusion, I only think a classic vehicle will be devalued through electrification if it is an exceptionally unique and special model. Otherwise the end value will go up. Up by how much ultimately depends on the quality and components utilised in the electrification process.”
Joseph added that “The automotive industry has been going on for over a century, and we are merely dipping our proverbial feet into the realm of EVs (electric vehicles), even more so, when considering the conversion of Classic vehicles into EV’s. Due to this simple fact, there is therefore very little quantitative data to draw accurate conclusions from, and so what we mainly have to go on is educated deductions for the future of the classic EV conversion market/industry.”
In conclusion, it might be worth getting your Volkswagen Beetle converted to electric but it’s always worth checking the market value of similar classic cars after conversion before making the decision, but maybe hold off on converting your Ferrari Dino GTO just yet.
