J Banner

An article popped up on both Hemmings and Jalopnik a while back about a guy who decided to swap out the 289-cubic-inch Ford V8 in his 1968 Ford Mustang fastback. Some readers were up in arms for getting rid of the V8 and going electric power. They thought that the soul was gone from the classic Mustang without the rumble. I’m actually in favor of this, but I’m a bit weird when it comes to new technology. Let’s take a look at why this makes sense, and then you can chime in with comments.

First, I’m not the guy who puts in an electric motor on something because it’s environmentally friendly. I'm not really a global warming alarmist, and I know that many parts of the U.S. still use coal and natural gas for making electricity at power plants. I also know that current battery chemistries are not good for the environment in both disposal and in finding it. To say that you're switching to electric power for the good of the planet is the great lie of the environmentalist.

Read the rest on The Mustang Source homepage.

ER12883

I saw this done to a VW bug on a show once. I think it would be a fun project, but wouldn't you want a lighter car than a mustang? A bug would be the perfect platform, plenty of cheap ones lying around with engine issues.

If I had a ton of space and some extra cash and way more time than I have currently, I'd find an old Karmen Ghia with engine issues and convert it. Personally i don't have an issue with doing this to an old car (even a Mustang), I'm cool with doing whatever it takes to keep the old ones alive.

NC14GT

People love playing with their cars.
To answer the question posed. No, I would not electrify any Mustang, even if it was one of those nasty 4 bangers from the 70's.
Long live the internal combustion engine!

Krohn

I think it's great! Now I probably wouldn't do it to a 289 V8... maybe an i6.
Seeing how amazing the new McLaren is and the Electric Harley, I think electric motors are pretty cool! I still love the V8 rumble and wouldn't ever do it myself but it is cool that someone is going outside of the box.

Joeywhat

Electric power is a wonderful thing. I'm really hoping it can be refined to a point where it's just as convenient as fossil fuel vehicles (hydrogen power seems the likely candidate for that).

It's not some environmental thing with me (although it's nice that it's cleaner), electric motors have significant performance advantages to combustion engines. The only real downside to the tech right now is the fuel and refueling. Once that is figured out the tech will tech off and we'll all be happier for it. I would LOVE to have an old classic car with a completely modern electric powerplant in it. The performance would be absolutely unreal.

Krohn

I've become a fan of high performance hybrid platforms that use gas along with electric. I would definitely drive something that "can" idle silently in traffic and then roar at WOT.

wanted33

Would I do it, no. If someone else wants too, that's fine.

houtex

If I had a car that otherwise wasn't worth restoring?

Sure. It'd be a HOOT. A '78 Mustang II hatch would be perfect, ya ask me, if it was destined to otherwise be scrapped. A Fox body would too, but I'd probably pick the notchback. I wouldn't do a 64.5-73 Mustang, though.

Phil_R

2k7gtcs

I think all II's should be electrified


And then hung and shot

Paris MkVI

I was going to write exactly this, but you beat me to it.