eBay find of the day: Jet Electrica Ford Escort
Do you like the idea of a professional electric car conversion but can't quite swing the dough needed for an eBox? Trust us, we feel your pain. Take a look at this eBay auction for a converted Ford Escort. The conversion was done by a company known as Jet Industries, and has only traveled 12,000 miles to date. Using 16 lead acid batteries producing 96 volts and a 20 horse motor, the converted Escort can go 60 miles per hour and about 40 miles per charge. If you need more speed or more miles, additional batteries can be added because the motor and motor controller can take up to 120 volts of power.
Perhaps a Ford Escort is not the coolest car to convert to electric operation, but it's already done and is available for much less money than you could duplicate it for. The car is in Austin, Texas and is currently going for $4,250 (reserve not yet met).
Gallery: Electric Escort
[Source: eBay Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RickM 1:59PM (2/11/2008)
This car has threadbare seats and a hole worn in the carpet in the foot well in 12,000 miles of use? I smell a rat....
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Kardax 2:07PM (2/11/2008)
I think they're saying 12,000 miles of EV use. It could have had over 200,000 prior to the conversion...
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Phil L. 3:25PM (2/11/2008)
Kardax -
Nope. The chassis was a 'glider' from Ford that went straight to Jet. No gas engine ever in it.
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Nicholas Pye 2:22AM (2/12/2008)
I think I would like to buy this car
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Phil L. 8:35AM (2/12/2008)
Then get out there and bid! It still hasn't met reserve; I won't be surprised if it closes at a bid that's nowhere near reserve.
Few Jet models show up on eBay (or anywhere else, for that matter). And most of the ones I've seen need significant work. A year or so ago, a similar Jet sold on eBay (yes, it met reserve) for something like $3K - and it had rust problems, no batteries, and was missing quite a bit of wiring. Back then, I guessed it would need $4K-$6K to get it properly back on the road.
This one looks to be in good shape and is drivable today; I suspect the reserve is at least $10K, and I doubt the auction will make it to that range before tomorrow.
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Phil L. 12:37PM (2/13/2008)
Well - a few last minute bidders drove it up to $5352.52, but still didn't meet reserve. Perhaps the owner will consider re-listing with a more realistic reserve...
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Lynn Thompson 8:52AM (9/17/2008)
Neat car! We have a 1984 Sanfu 600cc Propane Powered
5 door Van - that Mr. Johnson with Jet Industries brought
a carb. to us in order for our engine not to blow.
I'd love to be able to get in touch with that man!
Lynnzone74@hotmail.com
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Lew Giere 2:30AM (7/13/2009)
I have a good running 1981 Ford Escort Electrica Jet. In addition to the system battery it has eight 12V propulsion batteries - all deep cycle marine and about half the weight of the original batteries. The rear brakes and ball-bearings have been reworked and lubricated with synthetic grease for reduced roll resistance. I keep my range to about 20 miles so that percent of charge is never less than around 60% (depth of discharge > 50%). It was accidentally driven once (by the brake guys) for almost 38 miles with a resulting 20% charge but surprisingly the max charging time (3.5 to 4 hrs.) was still the same. Everything works fine except for an intermittent charger cutoff problem that I am troubleshooting- probably the cutoff sensor shunt needs to be replaced. Two additional batteries for 120 volts and extended range can be added with minor mods to the forward mounting box.
I am thinking of selling it for around $8000 and would upgrade to 15" aluminum wheels and Prius tires as part of the deal. Anyone interested?
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