Many of the best cars in history no longer see the light of day, which is a real shame. While used cars can stick around for generations, there's many rides we'd love to see return brand new. However, classic cars have been given a new lease of life thanks to the electric conversion. There are companies all over the world taking some of the most iconic cars of the past and bringing them into the 21st century.With a fully restored electric conversion, gearheads can fall in love with their favorite cars all over again. The classic styling from vintage rides remains easy on the eye, but, unfortunately, many of them don't run as well as they used to.Mechanical problems and outdated technology prevent some forgotten cars from ever seeing the light of day. Most of the time, vintage cars are left rotting away only to be found in a barn by someone 50 years later. But losing vintage cars to rust and pests could be a thing of the past, thanks to electric conversions.We love it when a classic is saved. And, without further ado, here's why we've chosen the Ferrari 308 GTE as our favorite electric car conversion.
How A Ferrari 308 Was Electrified
Thanks to the mechanics at Electric Classic Cars, vintage rides are getting a second chance. We discovered, through the Electric Classic Cars YouTube channel, an amazing electric conversion of a 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS.
The Ferrari 308 was made famous by Tom Selleck in the hit TV police drama Magnum, P.I. as he drove around idyllic Hawaiian locations in the GTS version. Everyone wanted a piece of the Ferrari 308 pie, thanks to the famed American TV show. It went down in history as one of the most iconic cars of the '80s.
In an interview with Heritage Classic Car Insurance, the owner of the Ferrari 308 that would be used for the conversion wanted to get some use out of his old car. The driver had enjoyed it since 1992 but hadn't been taking it too out much.
To ensure this Ferrari could get out on the road and be appreciated once more, it was brought to Electric Classic Cars for some new energy. Conversions aren't always cheap due to the cost of the batteries, however. The more affordable new batteries become, the more conversions we may see on the roads.
Gutting The Vintage Ferrari
The first step for the team at Electric Classic Cars was to gut the old Ferrari of anything dirty and oily that wasn't needed. That meant ripping out the iconic 3.0-liter Ferrari V8 engine, along with the gearbox and fuel tank.
Cooling equipment from the trunk in the front was also removed to make space for batteries. If it wasn't going to be used for the electric conversion, it simply had to go. In total, around 1,060 lbs of unwanted materials were removed from the Ferrari.
While it can't be easy to see such a classic car having its heart ripped out, it was for the best, and the results were incredible.
The Company Put A Tesla Motor Inside The Ferrari 308
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
Once gutted, the next step was to get the Ferrari 308 ready for its new Tesla motor. The now-empty engine chamber was prepared for the new powerhouse and a cluster of batteries.
In total, there would be eighteen 47kWh batteries fitted into the electric conversion, with 10 in the rear and eight in the front. The 200 hp Ferrari engine was replaced with a 450 hp stock motor from Tesla. One of the main challenges for the mechanics during the conversion was ensuring the weight was distributed safely.
There was now over twice as much power in the 308 as before, so getting the distribution right was key. If it was unbalanced, the car would be a menace to control. The balance was settled at 50/50, which significantly improved the old Ferrari's cornering ability.
The Finished Electric Car Conversion Was Fast
It took almost nine months, but once the conversion was complete, it was clear the hard work had been worth it. Now the Ferrari 308 was a rocket with a 0-60 mph speed of just 3.8 seconds. In truth, the Ferrari's speed could have been even quicker, but it was deemed unsafe, so 3.8 seconds was settled upon.
Inside and outside, the Ferrari looks pretty much the same. On the dash, the old analog displays were kept, as was the shifter, even though it wasn't technically needed. The only difference is a touchscreen that allows the driver to see detailed information about the battery system.
Traction control was required to keep this beast under control, as was an improved slip differential. These improvements meant the car was still fun to drive, but it wasn't dangerous when you hit the pedal to the metal.
Sure, some of the engagement had been lost from the driving experience, but a new top speed of 165 mph certainly softens the blow. There is power on tap but if you still want to burn rubber, then the traction control can be switched off.
Cars are made to be driven, and this vintage Ferrari was of no use to anyone as it simply gathered dust. Now it's capable of tearing up the streets. Also, when not in use, the Ferrari's batteries can be disconnected from the Tesla motor and used to power appliances for the owner in their home. All in all, this is one hell of a conversion, and we can't wait to see what future electric conversions will come to the fore.