| Owner | Ron DAlbero | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Staten Island, New York US map | ||||||
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| Vehicle | 1967 Volkswagen Fastback Car purchased for $325. Made sure it was lightweight, had a manual transmission and reliable. Looking cute was a plus! | ||||||
| Motor | unknown Series Wound DC 10 HP aircraft starter motor purchased from a surplus supply house and delivered by 18-wheeler to my residential neighborhood. Kind of exciting. | ||||||
| Drivetrain | Motor coupled directly to manual transmission. No clutch. Just one forward speed (1st) and reverse used. | ||||||
| Controller | Ford Speed switched via ordinary Ford starter motor solenoids which tapped batteries for 3 voltage levels resulting in 3 speeds. Accelerator pedal actuated simple pushbutton. Speed changed by selector switch on dash. | ||||||
| Batteries | 6 Willard ., 6.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded Golf cart batteries | ||||||
| System Voltage | 36 Volts | ||||||
| Charger | Black & Decker 7 ordinary automotive battery chargers plugged into a power strip. 6 used for the traction batteries and 1 for the 12V accessory battery. | ||||||
| Heater | Heavy overcoat | ||||||
| DC/DC Converter | None Original 12V accessory battery used with separate charger. | ||||||
| Instrumentation | Ammeter, Voltmeter | ||||||
| Top Speed | 50 MPH (80 KPH) Top speed attained on level ground with a good wind behind me! | ||||||
| Acceleration | Especially good from a standstill. | ||||||
| Range | 12 Miles (19 Kilometers) | ||||||
| EV Miles |
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| Seating Capacity | 2 adults; full front trunk | ||||||
| Curb Weight | 2,250 Pounds (1,022 Kilograms) I removed the usual suspect ICE related parts to reduce weight. | ||||||
| Tires | Original (over inflated) | ||||||
| Conversion Time | 6 months | ||||||
| Conversion Cost | $1000 (1976 USD) | ||||||
| Additional Features | Original color was a disgusting dark blue. I painted the green color seen using enamel paint from a can and applied with a brush. Connection between battery terminals accomplished by flattening copper plumbing pipe and drilling holes for terminals. Click photo #3 in right column. Two indicator lights on dash: 1) Green for "ready" indicating car will move if accelerator is depressed. It illuminates when "ignition" key is turned on. 2) Red indicated car was in "charge" state and connected to120VAC house current. | ||||||
| This was a very simple conversion just to experience the thrill of an EV. Back seat removed and batteries placed in back seating and floor area. Part of the fun was removing as many parts as possible to reduce weight. My Uncle Joe welded a coupler together to mate the electric motor with the transmission shafts. Thanks to twin brothers Ray and Rob, friend Dave and to Mom who named her "Sweet Pea". This project occurred thirty four years ago and a feature article about it was written up in our local newspaper, the Staten Island Advance in the winter of 1977. My friend Rich produced a short documentary film about Sweet Pea and will digitize it in the near future. I am so inspired and awed by the undertakings shown on this website! | |||||||
1967 Volkswagen Fastback
“Sweet Pea”
Last Updated 04-13-2010
Copyright © 1997-2010 by Mike Chancey