Electric’67 Ghibli - Opinions please

[3leftovercrest]

I am not one for electric cars. However I came across this video of a Ghibli conversion.

I have seen their Testarossa they did, but this seems deeply impressive. The owner could not get a replacement engine so went electric.

Amazed that they can still use the existing gearbox and clutch, so in essence, the only thing lost other than range is the engine sounds.

Thoughts/opinions?

Stu

 

[Nayf]

I am not one for electric cars. However I came across this video of a Ghibli conversion.

I have seen their Testarossa they did, but this seems deeply impressive. The owner could not get a replacement engine so went electric.

Amazed that they can still use the existing gearbox and clutch, so in essence, the only thing lost other than range is the engine sounds.

Thoughts/opinions?

Stu

Having driven one, the engine sounds are pretty much the best bit, other than the looks and cabin ambience...

 

[Ewan]

At least it can be converted back when he does source an engine.

As much as I like my electric car, I like the V8 Maserati engine more!

 

[general_piffle]

That's the thing. All that's lost is not just the engine sound, it's the very heart of the car.

I'm all for upcycling classic cars and turning them into EVs, say a moggy minor, VW Beetle, a Herald, Spitfire, etc. etc. anything that there are many of. Not a classic that's incredibly rare, because it's all very well to say 'it can be put back to original easily enough' but once all the work has been done to convert it into an EV how likely is it that converting back is really going to happen? Highly unlikely, I'd have thought.

Personally, this is the poorest use of very expensive tech. It's not even keeping a classic on the road, because without its engine the Ghibli is no longer a Ghibli.

 

[Hurricane52]

That's the thing. All that's lost is not just the engine sound, it's the very heart of the car.

I'm all for upcycling classic cars and turning them into EVs, say a moggy minor, VW Beetle, a Herald, Spitfire, etc. etc. anything that there are many of. Not a classic that's incredibly rare, because it's all very well to say 'it can be put back to original easily enough' but once all the work has been done to convert it into an EV how likely is it that converting back is really going to happen? Highly unlikely, I'd have thought.

Personally, this is the poorest use of very expensive tech. It's not even keeping a classic on the road, because without its engine the Ghibli is no longer a Ghibli.

… and that heart goes right back to the mighty 450S. The 300S and the 250F are the pinnacle, but the V8 is a Maserati staple. I think the MC20 would have made a bigger dent in F-Car sales had they stuck with the V8 format.

P.S. 160 mile range is about half what we get from the SS. Plenty for pootling about at the weekend though, but not for crossing continents.

 

[boomerang]

Someone ruined one of the most beautiful Maseraties ever produced.
They should make laws preventing this.

 

[MarkMas]

Someone ruined one of the most beautiful Maseraties ever produced.
They should make laws preventing this.

Well, as converted, it is no worse than what it was before: an engine-less Ghibli just sitting in a shed or a museum. So not ruined, even if you don't like it.

 

[MarkMas]

Frequently Asked Questions

Electric Classic Cars

www.electricclassiccars.co.uk

£30,000-£100,000

 

[boomerang]

Well, as converted, it is no worse than what it was before: an engine-less Ghibli just sitting in a shed or a museum. So not ruined, even if you don't like it.

Do you think so? " engine-less" is something else as converted to electric.
I am quite sure that this car will miss quite some parts if one wanted to convert back in a few years. The integrity of the car will have suffered because of the conversion, maybe some welding, grinding had te be done to make room for batteries electronics etc etc.
It is a disaster for this car in my opinion.

 

[Motorsport3]

A QPV would be a possibly good ev convert contender. Plentiful around for a penny and the massive tank behind the seats could be a good place to batteries / engine and maintaine the rear wheel bias. If I had a hotel in central London I would commission a fleet to move customers around!

 

[MarkMas]

A QPV would be a possibly good ev convert contender. Plentiful around for a penny and the massive tank behind the seats could be a good place to batteries / engine and maintaine the rear wheel bias. If I had a hotel in central London I would commission a fleet to move customers around!

At £50k each!

 

[zagatoes30]

I am not one for electric cars. However I came across this video of a Ghibli conversion.

I have seen their Testarossa they did, but this seems deeply impressive. The owner could not get a replacement engine so went electric.

Amazed that they can still use the existing gearbox and clutch, so in essence, the only thing lost other than range is the engine sounds.

Thoughts/opinions?

Stu

I don't see this as being the worse thing to happen, it's more likely to get used. These classic EV conversions often keep the gearbox but I have never quite understood why

 

[Tallman]

Unless forced by the law I think it is sacrilege to convert sports cars that were celebrated for their engines and sound. For more mundane classics it might be a solution. But horses for courses I guess.

 

[allandwf]

It's a no from me. Maybe it will appeal the 20 somethings, who think they know everything.

 

[general_piffle]

It's a no from me. Maybe it will appeal the 20 somethings, who think they know everything.

I think you're probably right.

As an ex-twenty-something, I'm also eternally grateful for that tipping point at around forty, where you realise you actually know FA.

 

[allandwf]

I think you're probably right.

As an ex-twenty-something, I'm also eternally grateful for that tipping point at around forty, where you realise you actually know FA.

Yes we've all been there. Now I'm retired I'm imagining my ex apprentices and their associates thinking that old grump in the corner actually knew what he was talking about! Maybe not lol .

 

[philw696]

Yes we've all been there. Now I'm retired I'm imagining my ex apprentices and their associates thinking that old grump in the corner actually knew what he was talking about! Maybe not lol .

Ha ha that's me when I started out in 1978 I thought the the experienced old buggers hated me and at times wanted to kill me.
Having had many apprentices myself and now 61 years of age I realise that I have gone full circle and I'm that old bugger now

 

[allandwf]

61 years of age I realise that I have gone full circle and I'm that old bugger now

Same age as me Phil.

 

[philw696]

Same age as me Phil.

Thought we would be close

 

[3leftovercrest]

Thanks for the comments and opinions.

I for one am not a leccy car fan and hope to never own one…..

…. And as someone who covets classic cars and wants to get an Indy soon (some hate the shape but for me, always been captivated and just edges the Ghibli for me), this does not float my boat, however, if the owner could truly not find a replacement engine, my love for engineering and problem solving and seeing a classic in motion (even if the emotion of the sound is no longer there), then this is a fantastic solution…

I just love the fact they kept the manual gearbox…. I have gravitated to my airport run Fiesta ST being my daily for most things now,,,,, just want/need that engagement for as long as possible.

Stu