[59 Austin Healey]

Wow! I'm so happy I found this forum! I can't believe that someone, anyone really, is doing exactly what I am!

I just purchased a 59 Sprite this weekend that was converted to EV in 2006. It was also restored at the time and appears to have seen very little road time. I've wanted this car since college and the fact that it is EV is just icing on the cake! It's only going to be used in town so range isn't super important. The original conversion used lead acid batteries so the range was only about 25 miles which is too low I think. The batteries are dead and I'm trying to puzzle out exactly what I have to work with. I have a bunch of pics of the motor other electronic boxes under the hood. Was hoping someone on this forum would have an idea how to proceed.

Instead of posting my questions here I'll start a new thread since it's already been converted.

I wish you luck on your conversion, but I think it's not going to be cheap! I have all of the paperwork from the company that did the conversion & restoration and the total price was $37k. I got mine for $10k so hoping I don't have to put another $27k into it.

I also have a manual from 1967 which has the Drivers Handbook, Workshop Manual, and Special Tuning Manual. It's on a spiral binding so I'm thinking of cutting that off and scanning in all 243 pages.

BTW NZR1, I don't have any fused vertebrae and still have trouble getting in to the car with the hard top on. So you're not alone.

I am interested in your collapsible column idea, please update when you have news.

Aloha,
Mark

 

[59 Austin Healey]

Thanks Duncan. I don't know what the original car came with but it has 3 point seat belts now. I am thinking about putting in some racing seats and 5 point belts.

 

[59 Austin Healey]

Hey Pete,

Well, at least you have some formal electrical training, all of my background is in computers so not super helpful here. I dabble with microcontrollers but nothing that draws more than 5v.

I started a new thread on my project with a bunch of pics and will keep it updated with my progress:

59 Austin Healey Sprite - converted to EV in 2006 needs...

Howdy, I purchased a 59 Sprite this weekend that was converted to EV in 2006 using lead acid batteries, back then it had a range of about 25 miles. Those batteries are now very dead and I'd like some advice on how to proceed. I've included pics of the electronics and motor. If I can get in to...

www.diyelectriccar.com

Aloha,
Mark