Tags: #ev-technology #electric-vehicles #classic-ev-conversions #electric-convertibles #electric-concepts #restomod #ev-ownership #ev-shows-uk
Housing the same motor was a Ferrari Testarossa (or Teslarossa, if you will) with improved weight distribution for better handling and semi-active suspension upgrade. It completes the 0-60 dash in less than 4.5 seconds and has 150 miles of range, making it far quicker than the original and no doubt cheaper to run, too!
Elsewhere, Electric Car Converts’ main display was a bare chassis Series IIA build, revealing the wiring, control box, battery box and motor so people could grasp a real understanding of the tech. This EV conversion costs £29,000 plus VAT, which is one of the most ‘affordable’ offerings we’ve seen. They also had a Tesla powered Defender 90 and Range Rover Classic.
Another specialist in classic car conversions but also designing and building new electric retro-inspired sports cars was Sebring Works. Impressively the company has designed and co-developed its own electric skateboard chassis with integrated over-the-air software platform alongside Fellten and offers four '50s and '60s retro-styled replicas each claiming to offer a well-balanced drive as well as boot and frunk space, handcrafted interior, 200 mile range, 0-60 mph time of 5 seconds (subject to final road tests) and a maximum speed of 120mph. It’s fair to say the reveal of their cars was a star attraction from the 50s styled open-top Speedster to the bare chassis Coupe so that you could see the platform and body shape in real detail.
Other highlights included the sexy 240Z and Fiat 500 from Silent Classics and Banzhou Electric who source classics such as the Beetle and Fiat 500 and then commission aforementioned Electric Classic Cars to convert them to electric. For two-wheel fans, Moda Electric was showing off their fully electric luxury mopeds.
Bringing things into the 21st century was a double UK premiere for MINI. Both the new all-electric MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman were on display in Earls Court Motor Show alongside electric offerings from other car manufacturers. Debuted at the IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, the new MINI Cooper Electric features a world’s-first 24cm circular OLED screen, digital focused interior with brand new Experience Modes and offers customers either 190 or 249 miles of electric range.
As the largest member of the MINI family, the new MINI Countryman is offered for the first time with both an electric and combustion powertrain. With a matching interior to the MINI Cooper, the MINI Countryman also offers Level 2 semi-automated driving for the first time, and grows in size to provide customers with more space, comfort and versatility. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel!
There’s more besides static displays and monumental racing, there are hundreds of exhibitors showing off their wonderfully unique products from jewellery to art and literature, outdoor clothing and accessories to tipples and treats, and even toys and games. And for those who are not petrol – or electric heads – there’s also a traditional funfair with vintage steam-powered rides, circus shows, an open air cinema, historic aircraft and fly pasts, and if you had deep enough pockets, Bonhams Cars were holding an auction for collectors’ cars and automobilia. Then there’s the world’s cutest race – the Settrington Cup (pictured at top of article) – which begins with a Le Mans-style start, as the drivers, aged between 4 and 11 years old, get behind the wheel of their Austin J40 pedal cars and proceed at full pelt down the Pit Lane Straight.
What’s really incredible though is the level of detail that the organisers go to, so that it makes you genuinely feel like you’ve stepped back in time to a bygone era! If you have never been before clear a space in your diary for 5 to 9 September 2024 and buy your tickets now to avoid missing out: goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-revival/. Hopefully see you there – and don’t forget your fancy dress to really feel like part of the Revival story.
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