Headline: Reinventing a Classic: Ferrari 308's Electric Transformation
It's a world first, claims its maker, and is likely to irk some petrolheads – the 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS transformed into an electric sports car. The venture is the brainchild of Electric GT, a company founded by Eric Hutchison from Kalifornia, who boldly declared that this classic Ferrari would be the first unveiled electric model by the Italian automaker.
Ferrari's top executive, Sergio Marchionne, had been quoted at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year as disapproving of the idea of an electric Ferrari, citing the "obscene concept" of doing away with the iconic V8 engine's distinctive roar. However, Hutchison and his co-founder, Michael Bream, had their own plans up their sleeves.
Bream, an expert in electric conversion of classic cars, said they had a conversation that went something like this: “Let’s try finding something which actually contributes to the propagation of electricity.” Two days later, they stumbled upon a 308 abandoned on a dumping ground in San Diego, California.
The vehicle had met an unfortunate fate: a fire had ensnared it, and the subsequent rot had left Hutchison hooked to the tune of $10,000. He then embarked on a painstaking journey of resurrection. As Hutchison himself put it: “We basically rebuilt the whole thing. I had to haul everything back to its frame.”
The transformation process saw the V8 engine being replaced by a 2,000-amp Tri-Motor, which drew power from three L-shaped batteries that had been installed in place of the fuel tank. The revamped car is an impressive mesh of contemporary technology and a nostalgic nod to the 1970s.
The conversion was not without its challenges. The Tri-Motor, while powerful, could not match up to the precision of a V8 engine. The range of the car was also limited to 70 to 100 miles, with Hutchison aiming to increase the battery capacity by doubling it. However, Ferrari fans taking to FerrariChat.com, a community for Ferrari enthusiasts, had nothing but praise for the modified car.
Hutchison was thrilled to put his beloved machine to the test by entering it into the RE-Fuel EV race in California. Despite the initial skepticism, fans have come around to the charms of the silent, clutter-free driving experience – one even commenting, “Goodbye to the roar of an engine, the hiss of tired tires, the crude clatter of the transmissions and the annoying noise of the ventilation system. Hello to the smooth, refreshing silence of electric power!”
Bonus Content
Classic Cars at the Curb: A Symphony of Rust and Sentiment
There’s something sublime about the decay of a classic car. It’s a dance between nature and the gods of automobilia, an eerie reminder of past prowess, and the raw, untamed power that once hummed under the hood, pulling irenically at the emotions. The magnificent chassis, the tantalizing lines, and the hood ornament that withstood the sands of time are all that’s left—a haunting symphony of rust, sentiment, and the sweet, lingering scent of forgotten gasoline. The car tells a story of adventure, of highway and maybe a few arguments over the radio. It whispers of dreams and memories that the owner refuses to let die, longing for the day when it finds loving, like-minded hands that can breathe new life into it and bring its glory back to the world. As the once-majestic vehicle cheerfully succumbs to decay, a specter rises—the ghost of what might have been, and the inevitable dread of when the once-beloved vehicle will vanish into the annals of history. But as long as that ghost lingers, the heart will yearn, the nostalgia will never fade away, and perhaps, just perhaps, the legend will live on.
