1987 Toyota Mr2 professionally converted electric 110V plug-in fun roadster
Condition: | Used |
Make: | Toyota |
Model: | MR2 |
Type: | Roadster |
Trim: | 2 door |
Year: | 1987 |
Mileage: | 123,450 |
VIN: | JT2AW15CXH0121683 |
Color: | Red |
Engine: | 9" electric motor |
Transmission: | Manual |
Drive type: | RWD |
Interior color: | Tan |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | Encinitas, California, United States |
Extras |
Listed by |
Private seller |
Description of 1987 Toyota MR2 |
Think of it as a golf cart that'll go 90 on the freeway. The batteries are 8Volt deep-cycle (104V) . Like it's slower cousins this one plugs into a regular 110v socket. The basics of the original car are in good condition, and the added electric components are in a very stable configuration. (It's also a potentially good steampunk project--I got that idea when I was installing the stereo.) It's an excellent electric drive platform. The car was donated to our electric conversion program when I was teaching high school auto shop. I later bought it from the school after we'd worked on it awhile. I installed a new battery pack and tires, plus a couple major system components & also replaced the upholstery. The original conversion used an 'Electro-automotive' kit, which basically attaches an electric motor onto the transmission where the gas engine used to be. It's significant that the gentleman who assembled it, drove it for years & the donated it, was an electrical engineer; the wiring harnesses, the components layout etc. are the work of a professional. I was a technician in the Navy & one thing I learned is that in any kind of electrical assembly connections are responsible for 95% of failures. With the exception of battery connections, this vehicle has been problem-free in that regard. I've kept the car in good condition--everything including the flip-up headlights, works (there's no odometer so the mileage is actually unknown but the DMV & the auto club apparently don't mind since the car is smog-exempt). The paint is rattle-can Toyota red; there isn't spot of rust. The Mr2 was quite a hot rod when it was introduced—I’m told that the suspension was designed by Colin Chapman of Lotus. The brakes are 4-wheel discs which provide good stopping power for the extra thousand pounds of batteries, which are compensated for by extra heavy-duty springs and shocks. The handling isn't as lively as the original of course, but it's not bad. The only big repair issue is a crack in the windshield:I was quoted $175 to replace it by Low Price Auto Glass in the parts recycle district in Oakland. The battery pack is about halfway through it's cycle; I haven't needed to add much water to them yet. Range is only 10-20 miles right now, that's because I subtracted four from the original pack size, which had a range of 30 miles (I only use the car for shopping. I like the extra space). I'm told that advanced batteries available would triple the current range. |