Musician Ben Harper converting his 1964 Buick Riviera to an EV
Ben Harper: musician, car collector, carpooler. In a Forbes Auto article earlier this month, the sweet-voiced Harper spoke to Shira Levine about the way high fuel prices have put him on his bike more often and into friends' cars to share rides.
Harper has got enough money to have a small fleet of cars (a 1964 Buick Riviera, a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and a 2006 Lexus RX 400h) and he's considering converting the Buick to pure electricity. He said, "I am a GM man. I am a Chevy guy. I have a '64 Buick Riviera that I am having converted into an electric car. I am not driving it until it is converted. Well, I take it around the block to keep it broken in. But, it's a mission right now that is out of control."
Harper recently test drove a 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG and looooved it, but it wastes too much fuel. "That isn't the car for me now," he said. "I am into being environmentally aware and focused. I want to be responsible."
[Source: ForbesAutos.com /Shira Levine via Ecorazzi]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 4:07AM (7/28/2007)
It's be interesting to see if AC Propulsion converts it for him.
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TG 1:35AM (7/28/2007)
Let me give Ben a pat on the back for doing the right thing.
Wait till he discovers the efficiency of TDI diesel. Use a TDI vehicle for long haul trips and the electric for local.
If, during an emergency gas & diesel shortage, the TDI is grounded, he will have the EV to get around with. = TG
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AMcA 12:53PM (7/28/2007)
Wonder if one of the new dual mode hybrid powertrains out of a Tahoe could be squeezed in there?
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Chris M 6:06PM (7/28/2007)
GM had designed their "dual mode" hybrid transmission to be the same size and have the same mounting as their "hydramatic" automatic transmission. It might actually fit in an old Buick. However, they'd still need to find a spot for the control inverter and battery pack.
Unfortunately, GM is not offering it for any retrofits. There is a potential market, but GM would rather sell new than retrofit old cars.
While I admire him for wanting to drive electric, a 64 Buick is not the best choice for electrifying - too heavy, and poor aerodynamics.
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