This electric Jaguar E-Type is not a classic car
FIVA, the international federation of historic vehicles, has declared that converting Classic Cars to EVs means they are no longer Classic Cars.
There have long been arguments about RestoMods of Classic Cars, with hardcore classic lovers declaring such tampering with classic cars means they are no longer classics as all, and it’s certainly true there is currently a real vogue for ‘original patina’ in classic cars too, rather than a restoration to ‘as new’.
Whichever side of that argument you’re on, there’s now another problem for you to mull over: is giving a Classic Car an electric powertrain destroying a classic, or is it simply making it usable for the 21st century?
It’s a growing issue, with many classic car specialists now offering to give your classic an EV powertrain – from an electric Morris Minor to an electric Rolls-Royce Phantom V – and even mainstream makers like Aston Martin and Jaguar offering an electric DB6 and electric E-Type conversions.
Now, to add some clarity (or confusion), FIVA (the International Federation of Historic Vehicles) has declared that converting a classic to run as an EV means it is no longer a classic car, and that “vehicles so converted cease to be historic vehicles, unless they are subject only to ‘in period’ changes“. Which is clear enough.
FIVA do go on to say that if anyone is daft enough to give a classic an EV powertrain then they should keep everything that’s removed so it can, once a ‘proper’ classic car lover comes along, be restored once again to a real classic car.
Are FIVA right, or is giving a classic car an electric powertrain no different to fitting electricity and heating in an Elizabethan Manor House?
Edward says
It’s certainly a change from standard. That said, they may well find that in thirty years’ time, if they want their hobby interest to carry on it will have to be electric conversions or nothing. Sometimes, purists of any sort destroy their own hobby with elitism masquerading as enthusiasm. I well remember when the sneering was not about electric powered engines, but converting the cars to run unleaded (self-proclaimed environmentalist Prince Charles refused to convert his Aston to run unleaded as he declined to compromis its originality, even as he demanded we plebians drive unleaded). Better these glorious old motors are on the road running on electric than rotting, unwanted, in a barn.
Cars UK says
Think Price Charles actually had AML convert his DB6 to run on E85!
M. Geller says
Feels right. Once converted, not heritage.