Otmar,
cars.com has several of the 190SL's listed. A couple are in the $10K
range.
Mike Pengelly
Phoenix, AZ
'90 Mustang EV
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Otmar" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 9:38 PM
Subject: Mercedes 190SL EV candidate wanted
> Hello folks on the EV list,
>
> My mother has been dreaming of owning a 190SL since I was a kid, or
> maybe longer. The 190SL is a roadster that Mercedes made between 1954
> and 1963. It has very beautiful lines and is a very elegant machine.
>
> Here is a link to a very pretty one:
>
http://oursl.com/sys-tmpl/19541963190sl/view.nhtml?profile=19541963190sl&UID
=52
>
> Mom called me today and told me she really wants to own an electric
> conversion of a 190SL. Somehow I knew this was coming! :-)
> She drives a decade old ICE Honda now, yet has wanted an electric car
> since I started working with them. Recently her work situation has
> changed so that a modest range of 35 to 40 miles would fulfill her
> needs. She says there's no big hurry to do this, but since she is
> about to turn 70 I think it can't wait too long.
>
> I have a 8" advanced DC motor lying around. I also have access to a
> machine shop so I can get the motor mounted. It's no surprise that I
> have spare parts for at least 600 Amps of DC controller in my scrap
> bin, so that's no problem. The charger I can build and the batteries
> will need to be bought. So I think we can pull this off for just a
> couple thousand dollars for some batteries, racks and miscellaneous
> parts plus some sweat equity. Mom doesn't go for the speed like I do,
> so I think flooded batteries may be an option. Even with flooded
> batteries and only 600 amps I suspect we can still out accelerate the
> 1.9L that came with the car originally. And it will be done quietly,
> how elegant!
>
> The donor car for the conversion may not be so easy to find, and this
> is where I'm looking for help from you people on the EV list. As far
> as I can tell, A clean 190 SL costs between $20,000 and $60,000. This
> is a bit tough to swallow, but since this is a long term dream it has
> to happen somehow. I suspect we could scrounge up close to $10K for
> the car if necessary. It doesn't need to be a cherry car to fulfill
> the dream. Originality of parts means nothing to her, it needs no
> engine, brakes will be upgraded to disc, and some rust is OK if it's
> doesn't compromise the structural strength too much. Yet is should
> look good to the layperson.
> So I'm asking you all to please let me know if you see a 190SL that
> might be appropriate to fulfill this dream. I'm not sure of this, but
> I may be able to find a way to get a tax write-off if someone was
> willing to donate one to this project. Please contact me of you know
> of a potential donor vehicle that may fit the bill.
>
> I can see it now, this spunky septuagenarian who is my mom, showing
> her Electric Mercedes at the local EV shows.
> What fun!
> -Otmar-
>
> http://www.CafeElectric.com/ Home of the Zilla.
> http://www.evcl.com/914 My electric 914
