02) 05/26/2012 eBugeye is For Sale!
The eBugeye has been on the road now for nine months. The electric conversion has been trouble free and now that the ride and handling has been sorted out, it is an altogether very enjoyable car for running around town. The longest distance I've gone on a charge is 54 miles and the BMS still showed 40% charge, so I believe 80 miles is attainable, I just haven't had an occasion to go that far in one trip.
Jack Rickard has noted that at some point you realize that your car has grown up and doesn't need you any more. I'm afraid eBugeye has reached that point
Another factor that bubbles to the top is that while cute and quirky, the eBugeye is really a younger person's car. I had visions of romantic moonlight rides, silently gliding through the night with the love of my life by my side. But I hadn't reckoned on the logistical challenge for my wife and me getting our 63 year old selves in and out of the car.
An opportunity turned up and practically followed me home, so another conversion project is now under way. I introduced the evTD on EVTV last month, and it now has its own blog here. It's a bigger car with lots of room for the wife and me and suicide doors that make getting in and out easy if unconventional. Also has lots of room for batteries behind the seat and in that boxy hood area.
So, to do the next project, I need to say goodbye to the first.
Here's the deal: I'm transferring the battery pack, charger, controller and associated electronic components from the eBugeye to the evTD, so the eBugeye is available in two configurations.
1) as a roller with Warp9 motor installed
2) as a clean slate, ready for your creative touch.
1) Roller with motor: $8,000
A great starting point for your own conversion, this Bugeye has solid original floors and rockers, original steel bonnet, front disk brakes, Carrera tube shocks all around, rib case transmission, a 3.90 rear axle, brand new heavy duty rear springs and front anti-roll bar, and excellent seats, soft top and side curtains. With a Netgain Warp9 installed to a Rebirth Auto MG/Austin Healey transmission adapter, front battery racks, and a full set of custom Speedhut gauges, add your choice of battery pack, charger and controller to build your own custom eBugeye.
2) Clean Slate Roller: $5,000
You won't find a better base for a great street Bugeye - this one has solid original floors and rockers, original steel bonnet, front disk brakes, Carrera tube shocks all around, rib case transmission, a 3.90 rear axle, brand new heavy duty rear springs and front anti-roll bar, and excellent seats, soft top and side curtains. Add a fresh 1275 engine, cross-flow radiator, and gas tank and you'll have a really nice daily driver. Or get creative - small Chevy V6 or Nissan drivelines are very popular on this platform.
