Adding a hoodAdding a hood #1Adding a hood #2Car is still is still in decent shapeCars interior is still is still in decen
OwnerAdam Bohlmann
Owner's Other EVs1972 Volkswagen Super Beetle
1980 Comuta-Car
LocationDuluth, Minnesota US map
Email email image
Vehicle1975 Sebring-Vanguard Citicar
I named it "stinky" because it had been sitting for 22 years when I bought it and was full of mouse crap.
MotorGeneral Electric 3.5 hp Series Wound DC
Would like to find a direct fit replacement that would offer more power for hills.
DrivetrainTerrell axle, stock 3.5 hp motor with 48 volts
Controller
Original Contactor Controller
Batteries8, 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded
6 Sams club batteries and 2 Trojan super range golf cart batteries
System Voltage48 Volts
ChargerLester
Original charger that came with the car still works but the timer quit! Anyone know where to buy a replacement timer?
HeaterNone yet, I am looking for a good suggestion here
InstrumentationOriginal Citicar dash & instrumentation
Top Speed33 MPH (53 KPH)
Range40 Miles (64 Kilometers)
EV Miles
Start:3,225 Miles (5,189 Kilometers)
Current:4,268 Miles (6,867 Kilometers)
Total:1,043 Miles (1,678 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults & one Beagle.
TiresIt had 4.80x12 trailer tires on it and I hated them! SUPER ROUGH RIDE!

None of the local tire dealers had or could get 145 radial tires anymore.

So I went to the junkyard and dug around and found a Geo Metro with 4 Goodyear Weatherhandlers 145/80r/12 tires in good condition. I bought them for $5 each and paid another $8 for mounting and now my car rides great!!

Don't torture yourself with trailer tires!!!! Get some radials!!!!
Conversion CostI Paid $1500 for the car as is, Brakes cost $300 to get rolling, plus a $600 set of batteries. Battery cables / odds & ends $200, getting it home $400 so about $3000 total
The city where I live (Duluth, MN) has a large hill about 8 to 14 blocks long depending on where you try and climb it. I can get up it by going up a block then over then up ect.. but would love to be able to just power straight up it.

Does anyone have any good suggestions to improve the hill climbing ability of the Citicar or know of a replacement motor with more hill climbing ability that fits a Terrell axle?

code by jerry