Electric Bug
The Electric Bug Project (The Plug Bug)
My next project has started! I’m planning on converting a 1969 VW bug to run on electricity. I have been wanting to do this for quite some time and originally I was looking for a VW bus to convert, However, I eventually decided to not use a bus, since they aren’t very aerodynamic, and are quite hard to find in good shape for a decent price.
I found a great bug on craigslist that I’m quite happy with. I bought it last Saturday from a wonderful man named Ed, who lives in San Jose and was the original owner. He took fantastic care of the bug, and it is in great shape considering it is 40 years old. There is some rust on the floor boards of the back seats, and the roof is starting to get a little rusty, but everything is there and is pretty straight. I’m hoping to convert it and do a good job restoring it to look cool again. It will definitely have a happy second life when I’m done with it.
- Primary goal: Drive to work and back, ideally without charging (it is 20 miles each way, with a large hill on the way home)
- Fallback goal: Drive to work, charge, and drive home.
- Secondary goal: Restoration. I first have to finish one last item around the house before I can really dig in and start this project. My upstairs railing project got stalled for a few months while I remodeled a house in Aptos, and I’ve been dying to finish it. I got a bit of work done on it this past weekend.
Awsome project Corbin! Its realy cool how you can make realy good unicycle handle bars, and weld etc I’d like to be able to do that.
So many decisions! Depending on how much body work you plan on undertaking, you might want to repair the rusty areas with Rust Bullet (a paint over rust product) I had good results with it. Most cheaply available at Summit Racing.
One of our local guys has a VW adapter plate made by cutting off a slab of the VW engine. Same fellow made my Samurai plate the same way. Guarantees the holes will be in the right place. :-)
Good luck!
Storm
Also, a thought on your metal cutting. I have had good results with an abrasive blade in a chop saw, a DeWalt radial arm saw and a Skilsaw. Blades are inexpensive and work well.
Enjoy your blog. Lots of talent in your family!
Storm