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A CLASSIC 1973 Porsche 914 has been given a “new life” after its owner ditched the fuel tank to go electric. Despite being one of the manufacturer’s least popular models, Mark Bush spent two years converting his Porsche, swapping out its engine and fuel tank for a HPEVS motor and 126v battery.
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0:00
Including the restoration of the car itself, it took about two years
0:08
It's a long, beautiful process. I've had this car up to 117 miles an hour
0:15
As soon as you press the accelerator, you have full torque. I think everybody should have an electric vehicle. vehicle
0:29
Kailua in Hawaii is home to an incredible modified Porsche. Classic, sleek, electric
0:39
My name is Mark Bush. I have a Porsche 914. It's a 1973 E model
0:48
That's right. Mark took one of Porsche's least popular models, did away with the engine and fuel tank, then
0:55
fitted a HP EVS motor and a 126 volt battery. This car its new life as an electric vehicle is about five years old now This is a daily driver so it not completely spick and span like a show car While that may be the case this is still a mighty impressive conversion
1:17
I was working full-time as a nurse when I started this car, including the restoration of the car itself
1:24
It took about two years. I'd take vacations and just work on the car
1:30
Okay, how to build an electric car. You find a car that's suitable. You put a car
1:35
pull out the internal combustion engine, radiator, the cooling system, the exhaust system
1:41
then get my rest for the next shift. I had to design battery boxes
1:47
I ordered a motor. It's a long, beautiful process. We opted to put the charging port over here on this side
1:58
And for a while, I was opening the hood to charge it. So I put in a cap so I can keep the hood closed
2:04
and still charge it. These are the battery packs and this car originally came with a mid-engine big old Volkswagen motor back here
2:13
I decided I want to have the weight ratios the exact same and I wanted a five transmission I wanted to use the original Porsche transmission I like to shift and it gives you a little bit more maneuverability and choices for power
2:31
This is an incredible conversion, with a performance to match. Here in Hawaii, I looked down at the speedometer
2:38
I was going 80 miles an hour one time. I slowed down because you're not supposed to do that here
2:45
As soon as you press the accelerator, you have full torque. The torque is instant
2:56
That gives you a faster acceleration rate. Zero to 60 and probably approximately six, six and a half minutes, somewhere around there
3:05
Zero to 60? It's six minutes? Yeah. Seconds. Thank you. Six days
3:15
That's funny. I hope that gets edited out. I've had this car up to 117 miles an hour
3:24
but that was in California And for Mark this two laborer of love has certainly paid off I a pilot Driving this car is a lot like flying an airplane
3:38
Well, other than the fact that it doesn't take off and go into the air
3:42
When you go down a hill, it feels like you're gliding. I know every sound, every little nuance of it
3:53
because I had it. completely apart and put it all back together again
3:58
This car has been just an amazing friend almost. I think everybody should have an electric vehicle
4:07
And I think they should drop in price because people should be able to afford these things
4:14
They're really fun to drive. And you can have any kind of car you want, any car you've ever dreamed of
4:21
for just the cost of putting some time and effort and elbow
4:25
into making an electric vehicle for yourself
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