Here’s another car found at the Oregon Country Fair: an electric Morris Minor. I know that any old light car without power steering and brakes makes a good EV conversion candidate, so this isn’t really anything that special. But I can’t resist the major charms of an old Minor; gassy or electric. I do have a full set in the can of another one awaiting its CC, so consider this an electrifying warm-up.
The “British VW” was Alec Issigonis’ first big hit, and a very enduring one. Built from 1948 all the way to 1971, it was both advanced and pragmatic, a balance that BMC/BL would struggle with for the rest of its life. It became the first British car to reach and exceed the one-million mark. And it was always a fun drive, essentially a four-door MG Midget, with which it ended up sharing its drive train and other components.
This rather old one. a 1954, has ditched its 803 cc Austin A-block for 28 hp DC motor and 39 100 amp lithium ion batteries, with a pretty healthy range. Li-ion prices have come down to the point where they’re increasingly becoming the default for EV conversions. I’m sure Mike Butts can add more…
The Lane Motor Museum was showing off an electrified (144v) Triumph Spitfire the last time I went. It sure was pretty.
54 with that grille should have a 918 flathead originally from the Morris 8 the crossbar slat hrille heralded the weak as water 803 Austang motor
The 803 OHV motor was used from 1952, but the slatted grill only arrived in late 54.
I’ve only ever driven the 948 version, but since it was running on three cylinders it must have pulled like an 803…..
These things are common as Toyotas here not electrified though, originals are every where NZ has long been the Morris Minor capital. The Van version remainede in production untill 1975 and the horrible Marina makes a useful spares supply and disc brake upgrade
There was a gas station on the west side of San Juan that had five or six estate wagons on the lot, all brand new. However, the wooden bodywork didn’t like the hot, humid atmosphere and was peeling badly. The things sat there for at least three years, slowly decomposing. I don’t think any of them ever sold. Real turds.
The price for those conversions just screams military surplus and do it yourself.
Marvelous, thanks Paul. Looking forward to the full treatment on the original Minor.
I’ve done quite a bit of Google digging and found electric Morris Minors are quite rare! I’m surprised since it is an ideal conversion platform. Can’t find any photos with bonnet or boot open, that’s a shame. Always interesting to see how it was done.
It’s odd he says the motor is only 28 hp, that’s very misleading. Electric motors are spec’d at the power output they can sustain continuously, for at least an hour. Peak horsepower can be much higher.
Glad to see he used lithium batteries, they’re so much lighter and now they’re cheaper than lead acids. The pack he describes would cost about $5K new off the shelf, and properly used should last at least ten years.
Lee said, “The price for those conversions just screams military surplus and do it yourself.” I agree! As with anything involving cars, you can spend any amount of money you choose. Six figures? New Tesla. I’m budgeting about $14K for the Miata conversion. How about $1K complete? Check out the ForkenSwift. Other people have done cheap EVs too.
Doesn’t sound like surplus items to me, though that is definitely DIY at those prices. A WarP9 one of the most popular 9″ motor for EV conversion can be had for $2K, a motor controller suitable for that motor can be had for another $2K.
i especially like his no nonsense description posted on the window. i really admire the mindset of the diyers.
Nice to see the state of the art has improved in EV technologies. I’m remembering two examples from the early ’70s: The hybrid prototype (done at U of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign) used a Vega as the rolling portion and a Honda 360 twin for the ICE. It was barely running when I saw it–together, but not really well integrated.
One of the EE professors took a mid-60s Renault 10 and used lead-acid batteries for a city car. He put the battery pack where the back seat was, and got rid of the excess weight by cutting off the absolutely non-essential portions, like all of the body back of the rear window. Looked weird, even by French standards. As I recall, the prof in question was a communications theory type, with electromechanical stuff as a hobby. I think he used it a few times a year.
Very nice; just saw a somewhat dull, but very original MInor in Chincoteague, VA.