Finding problems in an electric VW Beetle, converted using our bolt-in kit. 

You should swap over the wiper arms - they've been transposed at some point during the restoration process - the one on the driver's side (with the upward tilt) should actually be fitted on the passenger side - and the one on the passenger side (with the downward tilt) should be over on the driver's side.

Awesome looking car. Now the owner will get to drive it for years to come with a lot less maintenance. More drive time less wrenching.

Fantastic car. Please do a follow-up video on the adjustments you've done. A before and after on the squeak and the torsion bar etc.

Squeaky - good nickname for the bug 😂

It's nice to see such a car being sympathetically modernised. I still own my first car, a 72 Beetle karmann Cabrio, and would love that sort of upgrade. I suspect I can't afford it though :(

Nothing against these conversions, they keep old cars alive. But let's bear in mind that thay have the "safety" of their times.. no crumpling zones, rigid steering columns, no energy absorption structures, often no seatbelts.. no headrests , the brakes are what they are. My 1971 Mini cooper is such a fun to drive, but still I hope nothing happens on the road..

The rear of the original split rear window Beetle was designed to resemble Adolf Hitlers face.

Please make an electric Volkswagen beetle version of herbie the love bug.

even with a squeaky suspension, it still sounds amazing - it's like an art deco space ship with wheels

squeaky suspension Bush 😀

Hard to believe that car with a modern electric motor. Truly is an amazing piece!

Lovely car, with the whoosh of the motor it really seems like the car of future they envisioned in 1957. The owner really should be over the moon with the result.

“I can get two fingers in there.” -That’s what he said.

Great insight into the road test/roadability of the conversion!

So what is the insurance position on a vehicle that can be so readily enhanced or deranged in its tuning? Insurance relates in part to the actual performance of the vehicle so if you can readily enhance the performance to 300 hp did you say I can see there needs to be some criteria as to actuality and perceived vehicle performance of its day. You have already indicated need for anti roll bar but the weight of the battery is probably partly reliable for such need. None of these are bad things in themselves but and an important but is the need to fix the performance within credible limits if electric traction is not to become a dial up nightmare for insurers and government legislative department because no official test data relates to the effective performance of such a converted vehicle. Does it require a new crash testing regime? This could be important if involved in a traffic accident with injury to third party. Who would he sue. I suggest the list could be very wide including the converter. A locked performance is therefore something to consider.

I'm 43 years old and i grew up sitting on my moms lap for the "safety seat" , then by six years old i was changing brakes and helping my dad pull the engine on all of the five they owned. You have turned one of the greatest cars ever made into an even better one. Cheers !!!

My first snagging list item would be the squeaking boot lid. If you're going to be lifting it everytime you need to charge then that squeak needs a bit of wd40 or 3-in-1 oil - if they still sell the latter as my tin is decades old 🤣

American watching from the State of Rhode Island in the U.S.-never owned a VW of any year, but-great car-great conversion, fun, interesting review-and wholesome diversion from the very dark, disturbing events happening in Ukraine-PEACE- BRO! 😇

Before you straighten the steering wheel, it's a good idea to check the front wheels are straight. You don't want to fix the front suspension and then find that you have to undo the change to the steering wheel. BTDT (bent track control arm)

Cracking looking Beetle

Re the steering wheel alignment. If the indicators self cancel evenly from left to right you cannot adjust the wheel on the splines. It must be done at the rods 😉

Dang! When I was a child, I used to sit in the space behind the backseats! Children nowadays don't even have that chance! Because of regulations and seatbelts and and and of course...

'In today's episode of Electric Classic Cars, we finger a classic beetle' hehehe

That nasty, old ICE covered up a lot of squeaky sins, didn’t it? It might be nice to see if things can be done to reduce squeaks that can mar what is an otherwise very peaceful, quiet drive in the country. Mahalo for yet another revelatory video!

i have a vw 1300 1971. electric converstion is definitely on the list.

Cattle grid in the middle of nowhere, very Australian. 😊😊

Does the owner get the app to change the settings himself?

Please tell me this conversion kit will be available in the USA

You really need to go into the app and turn that squeak down.

The steering will come back straight when you have the sagging fixed. It is "normal" at beetles

That App for adjusting horsepower and regenerative braking and whatever is fantastic!!! All the best from Gene in Tennessee.

Not wanting to start an argument here or having a go at anyone but I really don’t understand the electrifying classic cars I must say for us the engine is part of the charm of the car the sound the smell and the feel of the engine added together with the looks and the interior feel gives a classic the charm and in some cases nostalgia

Ha! BSTF (British Standard Test Finger), one of the world's oldest testing methods 🤣. One for the "older" gearheads. The color combo with a '57 Oval version is absolutely brilliant. I. Want!

How many of these 1957 Oval window models exist in the UK or the world for that matter. I guess that the motor was broken and went for scrap.

I just love electric conversions, regardless if it is a classic car or any vehicles. I wish for more preapproved kit modules to be used with basically any vehicle. To make conversion of any vehicle fairly easy, with less paperwork to get it road legal. Lists of preapproved combinations of motor, iverter, battery, charger, cooling. etc. The only barrier for approval should be if the motor is too powerful for the tructure, if it can rip itself appart. I want to convert a petrol ATV, I would love some "off the shelf" parts, to choose from. - Hub mitors, axles motor with/without differential, different power - misc inverters/drive controllers - battery modules - BMS - chargers I just wish there were some pre-approved coombination lists. - I want to use this/these motor/motors - then I can use these controllers - I should have a certain battery voltage, and power ratingnand range - then BMS and compatible chargers depending on chosen battery configuration. At least I would probably start my design with this approach. - torque and power requirements, to find minimum motor, drive controller and battery - then estimate range, if battery should be larger, and verify still compatible with motor and drive controller - then find BMS and charger for said battery - off course also consider inputs and outputs, speed lever/handle/pedal; brake pedal/handle/sensors, buttons/switches, lights/display

I am always curious as to what you calculate/estimate the range to be on your conversions?

I’ve got a ‘64 Beetle converted with a Hyper 9HV motor and 7 Tesla modules. It was done by Flash Drive Motors outside of Austin, Texas. We added an electric A/C unit because it’s Texas, but haven’t added a heater yet (it did get seat heaters). Can you describe your heater set up? I’m really interested in how yours functions (I wonder if you sell them?). EV West has one built in Canada, but I haven’t gotten it yet. I’d like it set up to function like yours does via the stock heater channels. Many thanks! PS, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have a “stereo”, I’d bet its “mono”. LOL. Oh, thanks for showing the driver’s side sag. I just went out to the garage and checked mine with a tape measure and sure enough my driver’s side is an inch lower than the passenger’s side, 27” vs 28”. I’ve got a LOT more clearance than you do and I can get my whole fist in on both sides.

If that Motorola radio is original to the car it will have valves in it and be for 6V. I noticed no time was given for the valves to warm up when trying it out. If it is the original 6V radio, I'm curious what's been done to make it compatible with the new electrical system.

Its strange seeing a beetle drive along without that familiar engine note. Awesome car and conversion.

I went on holiday for three weeks several times during the 60s in a car exactly like this. But it it wouldnt be possible in this converted car as we were four people with luggage, thats a pity. Anyway, its a nice conversion.

😁I think the Stereo is probably a Mono

What a beautiful build. I'm tempted to replace the old kerosene sewing machine in the boot of my '69.

Was it Big Joe Turner's car? ("Shake, rattle & roll!", 1954). 😋 Only joking, guys - great looking classic motor & clean conversion as usual. 👍

I'd be curious to see one of these conversions on a Triumph TR-7. I think an electric wedge would be a perfect fit. Electric powertrain / Car shaped like a lightning 🌩 bolt.

Add 4-Cylinder-Boxer-Sound, please. That'll be the project's crown.

Great & exciting way to keep classic cars alive in an easier to maintain and more eco-friendly way

So interesting that when you dialed it back to 192hp you had any doubt it would climb a hill. How could an almost 200hp Beetle be anything but a hill climbing monster? If my Volvo 240 wagon had 192hp I’d consider it to be a very fast car, but then again I’m from a time when 10 second 0-60mph (100kph) was considered to be quick.

Actually don't mind that conversion as ive never particularly liked vw beetles

The trouble is the heart of a beetle is the chatter of the now removed air cooled engine.. mechanically good job but not for me I’m afraid. And I drive an EV on a daily basis..

The stereo is probably actuality mono. There was only one speaker in the old bugs.

I absolutely want 350 hp in a 57 Beetle! :)

Nice! maybe add a front wheel speed sensor and setup anti lock for the re-gen and then you can ramp it up with brake pressure?

Someone beat me to it... there is a right and a left wiper arm. Please put the right on the right and the left on the left.

I want one, I want one I want one!!!!

Such a fantastic car, with all respect, i woud reconvert to the original.

because nobody likes their bush squeaking!

Beautiful old beetle, wonderful job. Would be cool to see a custom charge port installed behind one of those headlights(or taillights). just have a motor installed behind it to push it out rotate the light to then gain access behind it to have one of those hidden areas like the old hidden gas caps in the other older era cars

How much does it weigh compared to the original? Maybe its just me but I would have started fixing everything before putting in all the electric in.

Stereo? LOLZ!!! That's Motorola MONO, mate! Car STEREO radios did not show up until 1969. I know you were just using the term generically though. On another topic, as a Yank, I try to train my ear for all Welsh, Scot, English, and Irish dialects because all my aunts, uncles, and cousins are from "Caah-diff" (Cardiff). My mum comes from Butetown (The Docks), and my Gran was first generation Welsh from her Da emigrating from Ireland. Sometimes, I struggle IDing your accent as Welsh, but I have little experience hearing Midlands, North Snowdonia and the like. It was only when I heard you say "heater" that I could say to myself, yup, he's Welsh. IIRC, I believe your shop is located mid Wales. Right? I am really enjoying the channel because our family car was a red ('61?) VW Beetle that saw us through even the Nebraska blizzards growing up. When we were that young, all the family's groceries would go in the back seat and my twin brother and me would fit in the back cubby compartment.. This was obvi pre-Ralph Nader safety era had taken hold. LOL

I've never been to Wales or the UK, but that scenery is beautiful. The car is amazing, well done.

Love this, have you done an MG Magnette ZA/B?

Great video, I love the EV VWs! Is it possible to use your cars as a battery backup in the case of a power outage? If not what would that take or have you already done a video covering that topic?

Where ARE you? That looks like the Lake District. Stop by Uncle Monty's cabin or go to the Penrith Tea Room and demand the finest wines known to man!

VW TESLA 1938 ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

The cutest cars ever designed.

Was in town. Yesterday. And saw it again it's name is the lightning bug. Scarry fast get away from the stop light. There is some thing for investors. To buy a moth balled vw plant. Elon musk go get it. Hi hi 🤠🤠🤠

The noise and the looks made the beetle . I remember hearing my dad coming home

It's so beautiful... stunning

Nice Beetle but the bumper over riders don't look original nor do the stainless steel vents in the front guards.

How does the heater *work* in that car? Obviously the OG pulled off the exhaust shroud, which is long gone... is it pulling heat from the cooling system? Or are you doing electric heat?

"Correct me if I'm wrong, VW people" Sir, this is the internet. We will correct you even if you're right.

The nick name for such a car is "the Voltswagen"

Still a few originals squeeching sounds 👍

I love your channel. One of my favourites for sure :)

Everyone loves a bug. That squeak is like a crooked picture "JUST CAN'T HAVE IT" the EV Install is sweet.😊

Don't forget the old age sag. :-)

I wouldn’t mind driving that bug Matter of fact I would like to. And I see the steering wheel is on the correct side of the car. Lol

Does the cabin light work?

perfect car ill buy it

FANTASTIC Please tell the cost of a conversion for example : Beetle 1600i mexico 2001 VW Golf 1 cabrio 1992 ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

Another thing I noticed, (not sure if anyone else saw it), is that the steering wheel is on the wrong side.

WD40 will have a field day :D

Brilliant conversion lads , loved the turbo whine on the long shots. To the Bat Bug .....................

What type of batteries do you use for your conversions? The standard Tesla M S/X packs? I converted a 1989 Golf 2 with the Calb 180Ah batteries, but they are heavy and not coolable...

Is that Clywedog? I've got a picture of my wife and car there, stunning view.

The annoying squeeking is one for the list. 😀

What a sweet little beetle! Bit squeaky tho.

I like it, I want it I love this VW Beetle but I will probably never get a chance to get it and it is very important to see my dreams in other nice people. Excellent!

Never need a spare wheel in my live,use that space! Clean build btw!

Superb Beetle, love the colour scheme, test drive + iPad = sorted motor with a few workshop weeks from Moggy’s brilliant workforce👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿😎

Gorgeous conversation, a few tweaks and it will be a stunner.

In Australia it might be a good idea to darken the battery header tank due to the sun reflecting off it and blinding the occupants

Just room in the rear compartment for a sound system going dub dub dub for a touch of authenticity.

That is one fine looking Beetle. wow

Nice VW and conversion…I still have my 1st car - a ‘72 beetle purchased in ’89…slammed Cal’ looker…I dream of electrification

It is great to see these old cars given respect and a new life! I’m a big fan of preserving history by adapting it to be used in the present!

No real right place for this question but, I know that you drive a Tesla Model 3 when you aren’t taking your pick of cool customer cars. What are your thoughts on the applicability of the Model 3 drive unit for conversions?

additional reliability!? The original englische will probably do 500k km, those engines are truly bulletproof.

I understand you do this for customers... But that car is a rolling museum piece! There ia a factory in Ohio that makes bespoke bodies for both Vw microbuses (split screens only) and Vw beetles for those interested in manufacturing their own kit car. Perhaps that would shut up the purist crowd, I don't know. But, at least your conversion is pure bolt on. For those kvetching about leaving the engine deck lid open to charge, if it was still on petrol you'd have to open the trunk to fill it up, so what does it matter?!?

I restored a 1959 Beetle about 20 years ago which I sold. A big regret. I have an EV and love it but love the nostalgia of a classic. How much would a converted Beetle cost to buy? That is sourcing the car, restoring and converting it? Could it be done with another old car I had and loved, a Triumph Dolomite?