eBay Find of the Day: 1980 AMC Hornet electric car
Click on the image for more shots of the Solargen Electric Hornet
Information about the Solargen Electric Motor Car Company and its conversion of old AMC models is pretty scarce, but we've been able to glean a few things about the company through the internet. Started in 1979 in Cortland, New York, Solargen used lead-acid batteries to power small electric motors which replaced the classic inline six cylinder engines of AMC models like the Concord and Hornet. Apparently, the vehicles were only capable of about 30 miles or so of range and couldn't quite reach highway speeds. Not surprisingly, therefore, the company didn't last very long. Apparently, the Solargen's president ran to Africa shortly after losing a lawsuit against AMC and General Motors. After that comforting introduction, perhaps (or, perhaps not) you'd be interested to see one of the Solargen AMC Hornet wagons on eBay right now. Unfortunately, this particular vehicle is not a runner, having had its batteries removed some time ago. On the positive side, the owner reports that the vehicle has only seen fifty-one miles of action. So far, no bids have been placed, so the opening mark of $3,500 could make you the next owner.
Gallery: Solargen Electric AMC Hornet
[Source: eBay]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason 10:53AM (5/16/2008)
I wonder if putting in a small ICE/alternator package and replacing the batteries would be enough to bring it up to decent performance specs. Anyone know?
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Phil L. 2:10PM (5/16/2008)
Probably not.
First, you'd be adding extra weight and complexity.
Then, if the electric traction motor is already near its performance limit, pushing more power into it will simply break it.
It was designed and built with certain specifications in mind. Changing them would probably require revising quite a few components. An effort and expense that probably doesn't make sense.
That said, this could be a bargain for someone who wants more than NEV performance - but doesn't need a whole lot more. $3500 doesn't get much in the used EV market these days.
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Kevin Nugent 5:41PM (5/16/2008)
eww yuck what is that ?? lol
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Chris 2:40PM (5/17/2008)
It's the Brown Hornet...
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Phil L. 8:46AM (5/19/2008)
Unlike many eBay EV auctions, this one actually met reserve. I hope the new owner gets it on the road.
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Phil L. 7:20AM (6/13/2008)
Hmmmm - Something must have happened to the deal.
The Hornet has been relisted. Seller claims the winning bidder didn't follow through. Take a look at 320262521627.
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Phil L. 10:05AM (6/24/2008)
It sold for $5309 the second time around. Hopefully, this sale will actually complete - and the new owner will get it on the road.
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John 1:08PM (9/12/2008)
The Solargen Electric Motorcar Corp. was a 3 million dollar scam visited on Cortland, NY by Steven J. Romer. He was a lawyer for Mack truck which owned Brockway Motors in Cortland. He helped shut Brockway down, throwing many Cortlandites out of work, then secured a 3 million dollar loan from the US Gov. to build electric cars.
He never intended to build the cars. Eventually, he left town, went to NYC where he bilked investors out of 7 million dollars. He went to prison. If you google his name, you will find that he was denied parole after 13 years of a 22 year sentence although his behavior had been exemplary. They should make a movie of this bizarre story - then the few cars with the Solargen logo might be worth something.
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