RebirthAuto.com 96 Volt Kit in a 1965 EV VW Beetle Drive

[PausePressPlay]

Amazing, on the highway looks a bit risky though. Seems you don't have the response power needed for changing lanes, interacting with traffic, etc. If some 'Duel' looking truck stormed up behind me I might be worried man.

Amazing though. Love Beetles.

[bluejay148]

man you ruined that bug lol anyway nice bug you have there

[marsL001]

awe-mazing video man

[allanenf]

And if you put a support on the roof with solar panel ? the battery does not last more?

[T0bh]

I would never do such a thing to a bug, the original engine sounds so wonderful!

[rthefley]

If you haven't already done so, I would take that in and get the chassis lubed unless this is something you can do yourself. One thing you can do yourself is hit the shifter, pedal, even seat mounts / springs, door hinges etc with WD-40. I've owned a few bugs and loved them. My favorite was a chopped top orange and white 71' bus with safari windows. God, I wish I had that bus and that it was electric. Job well done. Gas locally is $3.50 a gallon.

[MikelVBravo]

Love it

[electro5]

I love the sound!

[Beetlestein]

hi, very nice!! i'm wanting to build a EV VW, just wondering, any videos of the build?? what did you use when connecting the electric engine to the transmission and clutch use??thanks for posting vid, cool, i cant wait till i convert mine.

[rebirthauto]

Respond to this video... 

[apilaut]

how long can drive if non stop?

[rebirthauto]

@apilaut figure 20-25 miles around town.

[RBonham888]

what is the mileage range for these kits? I don't see anything on your website.

[hheywire]

i wanna know what the red button on the dash does?

[altops]

96 VOLTS IS PRETTY MODEST...you could always add more batteries for more power or endurance right?

[MisterSpeedyBug]

Un jour c'est sûr, ils les feront voler!

[jacksawild]

Does he drive that beetle around crossing items off his list and following karma?

[trangenusa]

man that is so WAAYYY COOOL!

[sirstrongbad]

Very cool, would the whine/hum that you hear be the transmission operating now that the engine isn't there to cover it up? or is that the electric motor itself?

[gusbus007]

stick shift electric..... !!!! thats my dream!!! dude where can i get this installed on my bug?

[overtaxed79]

no motor noise means you can hear all the other noises

[rickenshin2002]

Excellent, good beetle...!!!

[slim471]

very very well done!.good info.

[vw1971]

impressive, well done.

[bluemoondiadochi]

great job! if it has to be electric, let it be a normal car, not some plastic toy!

i also like how you put the batteries so you still have back seats, that's awsome!

[staffordacdc]

wtf is wrong with a beetle? cunt...

[bluemoondiadochi]

you understand english?

i said "if it has to be electric, let it be a real car, not some plastic toy",

is beetle a plastic toy?

NO.

it's a good solid massive iron car.

by plastic which i meant i like a converted beetle better than those modern little plastic (toy) electric cars.

and if you read my second sentence (do read it), you'd notice i like the guy's idea.

[keyserkustom]

very nice car ,i just finished a 72v sandrail

[g0fvt]

I have followed electric vehicle stuff on the net for a while, expected your car to be a bit sluggish...but no, it seems more than "frisky" enough for normal running around, also looks very tidy, well done.

[XCritonX]

Would direct drive be better? You can save the weight of the transmission. You would just need a differential.

[InfiniteMushroom]

While electric motors don't have stalling issues like an internal combustion engine, the gears DO provide the torque multiplication, which results in better acceleration.

On paper, a single gear would work but, it won't provide the best performance.

[JerryMopar]

yeah, it isnt like a electric motor has a "pwer band" which you have to keep it in a certain rev-range like a gas motor.

[streetdevils1]

did u have to make a new flywheel to keep the clutch? sweet set up by the way.

[insanity54]

That is the nicest Beetle i have EVER seen!

[superdummy74]

Does the motor have a tach?

[nlopatosky]

Eco-friendly, but the noise of the air-cooled engine is part of the driving experience. You don't miss it?

[mdtheo]

realy cool, but there is 3things i dont like. the red button, the elctric thing on the deck lid, and the ad on the drivers side. otherwise, good job :)

[bradmacaboy]

very nicely done. The diamond plate looks great. Is the top speed of the beatle onl about 65 because of the original transmissions limitations?

[rebirthauto]

I believe that the speed limitation is voltage limited (motor rpm). In turn having a fifth gear would surely push the car faster...to a point.

[creamyfilling102]

@rebirthauto you can have as many gears as you want, but as long as your motor and controller are unable to supply enough power to turn with the added torque of another gear, it isn't gonna go any faster.

[drright71]

@bradmacaboy A reduced RPM transmission (like the "Freeway Flyer" from kctrans) and a larger wheel diameter (if you can shoe-horn them in) will help with the top speed. Of course after doing that you'll probably have to recalibrate the speedometer.

[mellotrongirl]

I'm getting a converted Datsun 620 king cab PU truck next month...I know I'm going to have fun with it. Do you have a separate battery for the accessories (lights, stereo, turn signals, etc.)? If so, does this battery charge on a separate system?

[rebirthauto]

We do run a separate 12V battery that gets its charge from a DC/DC converter from the battery pack.

[NewFoxNewbold]

What a great car! I saw your eBay auction for it. If I had had the money, I'd have bid, especially since I'm moving to the Gainesville area this month, and it would have been a perfect commuter car. I hope you'll have another one on eBay soon!

[rebirthauto]

Keep in touch of you're coming down our way. We plan on always having at least one EV in stock.

[gpzbilly]

Awsome job. How much for the kit?

[rebirthauto]

The kit goes for about 7200.00. Some times we run specials on ebay or our website.

[Pininfarina1972]

Cool project. Greetings from Norway (and the white car that arrived here last year)

[rebirthauto]

I must tell you that I miss the white car terribly. I hope you're enjoying it, as I did. I have two F-cars left, both 400i, one 5 speed and the other automatic, they have been in restoration for nearly a year...I don't know if I can take it anymore! Anyway, send me some pics (or post a vid!) of the White TerroR in Scandinavia, I would enjoy them very much.  Keep in touch, and thanks again.

[mskogly]

Does this project have a home page? I would love to see ALOT of detailed pictures (or video) from the conversion process.

I'm working up the courage for a project of my own (using a vw bug of course) :)

[rebirthauto]

Google "rebirthauto". There are some pictures of the conversion. Let us know if we can help you muster the courage.

[herbienbrian]

wow, cool ride. If gas ever becomes to expensive I guess thats the way I'll be going with my bug :)

so how much was the whole set up?

[rebirthauto]

It's about $7200.00. Search on ebay for "rebirthauto", we often run some specials on there.

[gpzbilly]

AWSOME bug. You really did a nice job. Me being a vw buff have you ever set up a bus this way?

[rebirthauto]

Not yet, but the bus is a very good conversion candidate.

[jez90nj]

I'd do that in a heartbeat, if I had a Beetle.

[mskogly]

Do you have to do anything to the suspension on the vw bug, to raise it a little perhapse because of added weight?

[rebirthauto]

We put some coil-over shocks on all four corners.

[dbgtwill1]

do you have any idea of the range on the baby

[rebirthauto]

25-35 miles depending on driving conditions and habits.

[ed8widge]

I have a beetle and i love the idea where can I find motor and kits

[rebirthauto]

search for our website

[Trommylee]

Excellent!!