Classic cars are adorable in many ways. From their cute shapes and form-over-function styling, how they feel to drive, the memories they evoke, the sheer power, smell, revving aspect, and ear-pleasing roar of their engines. Sadly, we will never see vehicles like them again roll off production lines. But classics also have their fair share of drawbacks – they require money, serious commitment, constant love, and attention to run well for years. All this can be avoided through restorations and electric conversions, which replace their old powertrains that easily break down. Though the idea of removing engines for electric motors will upset purists and have them sobbing in their oily handkerchiefs, it must be done. You don't need to be an automobile expert to realize that electric vehicles are the future; we need fewer gas guzzlers polluting our environment.
A few companies spotted the potential for a future-proof business and are ahead of the curve — they have been churning out some endearing electrified classics. With immense power immediately available from the battery pack, these electric conversions also have impressive performance. The best examples have made the notion of owning an electric car enticing even for hardcore gearheads. Rides on this list represent 10 of the coolest electric restomods we've seen.
10 Jaguar E-Type Concept Zero By Jaguar Works
Meet the Jaguar E-Type Zero, the elegant car in which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left their wedding reception. It's heavily styled on the aesthetic of the 1960s classic, a beauty that was praised even by Enzo Ferrari. The E-Type Zero is a recent project of Jaguar's Classics division, which planned to bring it into production; however, the project has been on hold since 2019, with no signs of going on.
The skunkworks team avoided cutting into the chassis, ensuring the electric drivetrain would fit into the space left by the engine and transmission. That way, E-Type owners that wanted a conversion would be accommodated, and it would remain reversible. Though its horsepower is less than the original 250, it makes substantially more torque (332 lb.-ft.).
9 Ford Bronco By Zero Labs
Based in Southern California, you might be able to guess what Zero Labs is all about just from the name: zero waste, zero emissions, and zero noise. The company rescues the hottest collectibles in the vintage-SUV market, re-makes them in carbon fiber, and swaps the original powerplants for electric power. These include first-gen 1966-1977 Ford Broncos, Defender 110s, and Land Rover Series IIIs.
They made headlines last year with their Ford Bronco conversion; it had an electric motor making 434-hp, 277-lb-ft, Fox Racing suspension, and included hardware traditionalists like a 5-gear manual, a 2-speed transfer case with solid Dane axles, 60 at the back and 44 up front. Its meticulously crafted interior stayed true to the original while adding modern features, like a touchscreen infotainment system. Zero labs are now remaking vehicles with its third-generation EV platform that brings a 600 hp dual motor configuration and offers a 250+ mile range.
8 AC Cobra Series 4 Electric
The AC Cobra Series 4 Electric is the Shelby-made icon, now fitted with an eco-friendly electric drivetrain that produces a whopping 460-kW (617-hp)/738 lb-ft of torque. It's not the first EV conversion from AC Cars; there's the Series 1 - only 58 of those were built.
The $210,000 Series 4 Electric was inspired by the Cobra 'Superblower' and accelerates to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. AC claims a range of 200 miles on a single charge from its 54kWh battery.
7 Ford GT40 Electric By Everrati Automotive
UK's Everrati is another automotive firm bridging the gap between legendary classics and electric cars. The company's best work is an electric conversion for the Ford GT40, which helped the American automaker shine at LeMans in 1966 with a 1-2-3 finish.
It can go from 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds and reach a top speed of 125 mph thanks to its two motors, which provide 800 horsepower and 590 lb.-ft of torque. The battery pack is a liquid-cooled 60-kilowatt-hour unit with over 125 miles of range. A high-speed charger can charge it from 20% to 80% in 45 minutes.
6 Bentley Continental Flying Spur By Lunaz
Lunaz is among the most popular EV restomodders today. Founded just in 2018, the UK-based company has produced some of the finest hyper-luxury antique automobiles- restored, upcycled, and given full-electric heart transplants. Bentleys are offered either as S1, S2, or S3 Continental Flying Spurs, made between 1955 and 1965, in two-door, four-door, and drophead coupé body styles.
The breathtaking ride here is a 1961 Bentley Continental Flying Spur by HJ Mulliner that delivers 350 horsepower to all four wheels. It can achieve a real-world range of 250 miles thanks to its 80 kWh lithium-ion battery, which supports quick charging at up to 150 kW.
5 Manta GSe ElektroMOD By Opel
The Manta GSe ElektroMOD is an amazing creation, among the best of all Opel electric cars so far. The German automaker's styling choices bring out the beastly persona of the cult favorite it's bringing back to life – the original Manta coupe. It has a custom-made 147-hp electric motor and a range of around 120 miles thanks to its 31kWh battery, which is fully rechargeable in 4 hours from a standard outlet.
The Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD distinguishes itself from the others on this list by having a rear-wheel-drive setup and a four-speed manual gearbox. Weighing only 2507 lbs (1137kg), it is one of the lightest modern electric cars built.
4 Totem GT Electric
The G.T. Electric, Totem Automobili's first offering, is an electric restomod of the wonderful Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Junior 1600/1300 from the '70s. The Italian-based EV-automaker strips down and disassembles the original car, leaving around 10% of the chassis, then reinforces the frame by hand so it can withstand the extreme 518 horsepower the little car now makes.
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Performance? Well, the Totem G.T. Electric will go from 0-6o mph in just 3.4 seconds, top out at 152mph, and manage a usable 224 miles of range from its 50.4kWh battery pack. It also has a slew of other features cool features like launch control and a drift mode.
3 Rolls-Royce Phantom by Lunaz
Any well-off lover of classic luxury cars would drool over being chauffeured about in a meticulously restored example of a majestic Rolls-Royce limousine. The Phantom V costing at least £500,000 ($613,595), was available electrified, but with demand exceeding expectations, that limited run ended fast. Lunaz now offers Silver Cloud I, II, and III model conversions, made in fixed or a drophead style. What you get is a high-end ride, quieter than Rolls-Royce would have ever achieved with a traditional drivetrain.
The example here is a 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V which can seat eight people, featuring a sumptuous interior with restored original woodwork and a bar service. The vehicle's heating, infotainment, and air conditioning have all been upgraded, as have other luxury amenities. The electronics, brakes, steering, and suspension have also been thoroughly uprated and tested. Its 120kWh battery pack is adequate for a range of over 300 miles.
2 Ford Mustang 'Eleanor' By Charge Cars
While this electric restomod is not a Ford, it is undoubtedly a Mustang. It is made by a new start-up, Charge Cars, using Ford-licensed replica body shells. Based on the 1967 Fastback, the model that gave us the Eleanor Mustang from Gone in 60 Seconds, it looks sensational. Only 499 are planned.
While there's no roar of a massive V8, it seeks to keep the Mustang's spirit alive via performance. It makes 536bhp and 885lb-ft of torque, has a 64kWh battery pack, 200 miles of range, and supports 50kW DC charging. Equipped with a four-wheel-drive system, it can complete the 0-60 mph sprint in 3.9 seconds.
1 Jaguar XK By Lunaz
This Jaguar XK120 EV Restomod by Lunaz brings to mind how marvelous the car in its original form was. Staying true to the forefather, this is a car commissioned by David Beckham, who presented it to his son as a wedding gift. The light cream interior is leather-free, with its dials and switches faithfully mimicking the classic car while accommodating modern instruments like a battery gauge.
It has an 80kWh battery with an expected range of 250 miles. Two motors make a healthy 375h, helping it scoot to 60 mph from standstill in only 5 seconds. The starting price, before taxes, is a whopping £350,000 ($429,000. While we understand this car is pricey, isn't it just gorgeous? Look at it.