Classic Mini Turned Into EV With Bolt On Parts
Retrofitting a classic car with EV internals isn’t a new idea. In fact, it has been around for several decades. However, the results haven’t been that practical due to several factors including battery technology that hadn’t matured yet.
Today, better electronics have been developed that allow us to breathe life into old cars. Such is the case with what Fellten has done with the classic Mini. The company prides itself on developing voltage systems for everything from battery packs to full system integrations.
They managed to create a battery system, wiring harness and a neatly packaged frontend that houses the electric motor, cooling system, inverter, and single speed gearbox. They are all bolted to the newly made subframe that Fellten purposefully built for the Mini.
Thanks to this ready-made block-like building method, a regular Mini can be repurposed into a full-fledged EV in just a single day. And despite the extensive work that goes into the conversion, most of the parts bolt onto the car using existing mounting points. There’s no need for extra drilling or investing time in fabrication work.
This way you get to enjoy the appeal of a compact EV without destroying the look and feel of a piece of automotive royalty. The Mini is rated as the second most influential car of the last century, displacing other well-known cars like the ever-popular Volkswagen Beetle. The Ford Model T holds the top spot, and for good reason.
Designed by Sir Alec Issigonis for the British Motor Corporation (BMC), the Mini changed how we looked at small cars. Despite its size, the ingenious design made it a spacious vehicle. That’s because the engine was transversely mounted, and coupled with its front wheel drive system, allowed for a flatter floor pan in the cabin, which helped increase overall space.
It was built from 1959 to the year 2000, spawning various body shapes from a saloon, convertible, estate, vans, and others. Engine choices spanned a modest 850cc unit to a 1.3-litre unit. As you can tell, the Mini was created out of necessity.
Due to the Suez crisis in the 1950s, there was a shortage of fuel. As such, people started ditching larger fuel guzzling cars for smaller more efficient ones. The Mini was BMC’s version of an affordable runabout vehicle that was easy to live with.
It revolutionized how small cars were built, and its layout paved the way for future compact cars to develop and improve upon the formula. The Mini is loved by many from royalty, musicians to the average Joe. It transcended social classes and allowed people to appreciate its cute yet practical design.
Despite its small engine capacity, the Mini was a spritely little car, allowing it to dart about narrow town roads with relative ease. What Fellton has done, makes the Mini greener than the original yet, adds a whole lot of power, making it insanely fun to drive. Look at the video below and let us know what you think about it.
