LaSalle II 1955 GM Motorama Concept Car EV Conversion Part 1 A Bortz Classic

Joe Bortz talks about his latest project. A concept car from the GM Motorama, the LaSalle II, in it's day was pushed into it's display position. It had no working drive train. After he converts it to electric drive he will be able to drive this car on to the show field. This car is part of the Bortz Auto Collection

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• LaSalle
• II
• 11
• 1955
• 55
• motorama
• GM
• General
• Motors
• Bortz
• Derer
• tv
• wheels
• original
• pioneer
• conversions
• hybrid
• electric
• car
• vehicle
• concept
• Allante
• Cadillac
• dream
• wired
• magazine
• pebble
• beach
• ev
• conversion
• auto
• collection
• warhoop
• warhoops
• collectible
• collectable
• automobile

[RamblinAround]

I like the corvette style coves on the side. Very interesting car. How do you find this stuff? Nicely done Chuck.

[RideswithChuck]

@RamblinAround I've been producing a local access cable show about vehicles for many years. After a while you know where things are.

[jetjime]

As always very informative Chuck keep it coming great stuff !!

[Threetails]

Looks rough down there. Mr. Bortz has one hell of a project.

[alanlarue]

Looking forward to this! I hope I get to see it when it's finished.

[BFKAnthony817]

@ToyKingWonder Say homeboy, I never said, nor implied it would be an "environmental detriment" if it was gas powered. I personaly prefer big v8's. I was simply stating the perks that go with it being an electric car.

[ToyKingWonder]

@BFKAnthony817 Eco-friendly? Am I the only one who is so freaking tired of hearing buzzwords like that? Mr. Bortz is free to do what he wishes with his own cars. I would keep it a pushmobile myself. That is what it was. However, let's stop with the lunacy that this car would somehow be an environmental detriment if it ran on gas.

[Alisterwolf66]

@zzzdogutube Don't get me wrong - I absolutely agree! But, it could be much worse: say, using a modern powertrain in place of the original concept.

I do hope the electric is a 'temp fix' for the eventual completion of the concept drivetrain. While it'll be nice to see the car move under its own power, it'd be absolutely breathtaking to see it taken fully to completion. There are folks like us out there with the finances to do it (Jay Leno comes to mind), so who knows?

[zzzdogutube]

@Alisterwolf66 My thought is that if you get it to original condition and running it will finish the original dream from 1955. If you make it a chain drive electric it will be a go-kart, a toy. nothing I'd want.. I'd like a running car.. To me it is finish a dream or make a go-kart.. You don't make a go-kart out of a rare car. Use a Ford Escort for that.

[Alisterwolf66]

@zzzdogutube I kind of see where you're coming from - I'd also like to see the original engine be made to run (which would likely cost a fortune and require hundreds of hours of time to do so).

But... at the same time, the car introduced a lot of new technology in its day (DOHC, all-alloy engine, V6, etc). Seems fitting to use electric for its motive force. At the very least, it'll be the first time it's moved under its own power!