Peter Reynolds

As I remember it, there were many more deaths and also a lot of serious injuries. There were 3 or 4 people represented in one court case alone. But this is a side issue. What I'm looking for is a lightweight chassis (spaceframe, perhaps) that could easily be converted with driven hubs at all four corners, and it's not going to burn stuff

I'm still looking, but I haven't seen obvious choices. On the way I found MEV, who make the Exocet based on a Mk 3 MX5 drivetrain and I gave them a call. They are prototyping a similar EV based on MX5 running gear, but obviously ditching the engine/box for an electric motor driving the rear axle. I think some MX5s have a limited slip diff, which could make for a nice predictable and fun drive. 2wd, though, so I'd probably be back to snow chains in winter. Can't have everything :-)

Tell that to the people burned in American Ford Pintos, with the fuel tanks bursting into flames after rear-end collisions. But better than that, any chance we could avoid the subject, since I started by saying I'm planning an EV? :-)

I have friends who used to do special effects. The only reliable way to make the car burst into flames for the cameras is to include a small can of petrol. Trying to rig the normal fuel tank didn't work. So no thanks

4wd (or snow chains) are the only way I can get up some hills in snow. No need for mud-plugging I plan ahead, so I'm no more likely to run out of electrons than I am to out of petrol

That's how I ended up with a dull Peugeot wiesel, which did everything boringly until the day it lunched its DPF, EGR valve and turbo seals in one day. Not even Peugeot techs could tell which failed first. I prefer things I can keep an eye on, and to avoid one component making the car a write-off

Not really. I want something light, basic, and something I built (or rebuilt) so I know every nut and bolt, the way No. 6 knew KAR120C To explain: I mainly commute between 1 and 12 miles, all of it out in the sticks. Commuting is mostly boring, so why not add some interest and/or fun by doing it in something I made myself? I think the changing climate, pollution, dwindling crude oil reserves and energy security are all telling us the same thing--stored renewable energy is a good option, probably in a battery. And I hate the fashion for big, fat cars that weigh 1.5 to 3 tonnes to do no more than a 700 kg Mini. Weight can be a problem in EVs and I'm in hilly country, so weight's doubly important. More weight-> bigger battery -> more weight! So my ideal car has something like a lightweight tubular spaceframe chassis, lightweight bodywork, and room for drive shafts at all 4 corners. I know I probably won't find the ideal, but I can try

Hi there ll. I'm a biker and light sports car fan by night, and bus driver by day I always meant to build a Luego Viento with 2-litre BMW straight 6. I love sixes. Never made time to do it... I'm just looking at ideas, but the plan is to have one car that is inexpensive to buy 2nd hand, light and convert it to 4wd EV to cope with Cumbrian winter, with either 2 motors with 2 diffs, or 4 motors. High voltage electrics and control aren't a problem for me, but I need to find a car that can be converted with driven hubs front and rear, without too much major welding work. Perhaps a Mini-style kit, with a second front subframe in the rear? Does that ring any bells for anyone, please?