UPDATE MARCH 9, 2009...
My EV Duster "Electrical Storm " is on the road!!!
After facing a few minor setbacks over the Winter, and solving a host of little issues, I have finally begun test driving the Duster to work out the kinks.
There are very few remaining tasks to complete before I can head out on the open road and demonstrate that there is more than one way to power a bad-ass looking Mopar.
I think I have met my goal of keeping the muscle car look and stance that this Duster exhibited before the conversion. However, there are noticable changes under the hood, in the trunk, and behind the gas cap.
I invite you to keep up with my progress at
http://www.electricmopar.blogspot.com/
*********************************************************************************
I purchased this '71 Duster in May 2006. The previous owner had just rebuilt the 360 engine but the rest of the car was definitely in need of work - both inside and out.
Over the span of two years, I worked on a resto-modification to make it a very unique vehicle. After a few sheet metal patches to eliminate the rusted areas, I painted it base/clear two-tone red and orange.
While I was doing the body work I decided to shave the marker lights to give it a more custom look.
When reworking on the interior, I kept the stock dash but installed all digital gauges behind the stock instrument panel. During the Summer of '08 I installed my own version of an RFID keyless ignition system.
In June 2008, I got the inspiration to convert this car to an all electric vehicle. After doing lots of research and planning, I began converting it in August. It has turned out to be a pretty large task, but I am planning to have a working electric vehicle on the road by the end of October.
There will be a total of 26 deep cycle 6 volt batteries - 12 in the trunk and 14 under the hood. The Duster retains its original 3-speed manual transmission but no clutch or flywheel. I am documenting all of the details of the build on my blog - CLICK HERE to check it out.
