Sometimes, fate intervenes in the most unexpected ways. Picture this: I was lost in the labyrinth of eBay, browsing through an assortment of eclectic electric cars, when a captivating sight caught my eye—an audacious 1969 BMW 20021, its crimson hue hinting at tales untold. Fitted with a mid-2000s brushed motor and the contemporary marvel of lifep04 batteries, it was an irresistible buy. The catch? It languished 2000 miles away. Meanwhile, my longtime love and I were embroiled in the mundane yet momentous pursuit of marriage licenses at our local courthouse. It was then that the cosmos seemed to whisper its plan to us.
The stars aligned further as I conversed with the car’s owner a day after clinching the eBay auction. This venerable 2002 bore witness to a rich history, its legacy traced back to the early ’90s when its custodian embarked on a transformative journey. A restoration initiated its narrative, parts salvaged from a donor car likely due to a prior fender bender. Yet, the pièce de résistance was the meticulous handiwork crafting a 1st Generation EV system, an assembly involving an acid-induced alchemy and a 30kw DC motor. Subsequent upgrades ushered in the era of LifeP04 packs2 and a robust Warp 8 Motor3 from Netgain Motors, accompanied by the Evnetics Soliton 1 controller4—an embodiment of cutting-edge innovation back then.
But this tale wasn’t solely about an enigmatic car; it was an encounter with a maestro. The builder, a virtuoso of both bytes and bolts, wove his expertise from the early epoch of mainframes. His life intertwined with his craft, a romance that found its muse in technology and love. Our soirée with the couple unveiled a symphony of familial anecdotes and automotive lore, a tapestry where a Granada Red5 1600 held sway, perhaps seeding the inspiration to christen the 2002 in the same vibrant hue decades later.
Photo by: Greg Gjerdingen, posted by Daniel Strohl on Hemmings.com Car Culture
With the die cast, plans swiftly coalesced for a cross-country escapade to claim our prized 2002. The builder, in a gesture of foresight, outfitted the car for flat towing, equipping us for the journey ahead. As we embarked, serendipity crossed our path—a chance encounter with fellow road-trippers, gallivanting from East to Southwest in a venerable Studebaker, emblematic of the kindness that peppered our expedition.
1954 or 55, Shoshone Red Studebaker Land Cruiser. Not sure if they consider this a commander because of the spec and V8 emblem?
Our route unfurled, setting anchor in the pulsating heart of Las Vegas, courtesy of a friend’s abode, where we orchestrated the blueprint for our nuptials before setting our sights on Long Beach—our coveted destination, embellished by the prospect of uniting with the electrifying 2002.
Glenwood Spring Rest Area
TVR and I8 and others spotted on route.
Arrival in Long Beach summoned a rendezvous with destiny—the maestro and his masterpiece. Explorations beneath the surface of the car unveiled nuances concealed within Ebay listing photographs. A trove of spare parts and anecdotes punctuated our encounter, shared over an evening repast, where histories converged and the genesis of an EV in the ’90s unfolded.
The builder was so far ahead of his time he converted a Amante on VW chassis kit car.
The builder his wife and family with the original 1600 he imported into the USA when he immigrated and started his career in computation. He would meet his wife while pursuing that career.
Dawn heralded the preparation for the homeward journey—prepping the car for a seamless flat tow, a choreographed ballet of rigging and loading, interlaced with contemplations on the car’s past and future. Snapshots etched memories, lights tested, and our convoy embarked.
Homecoming wasn’t an immediate trajectory; instead, a detour beckoned—a pit stop at our Vegas haven, a respite accentuated by adventures on electric dirt bikes and moments soaked in camaraderie. Amidst revelry, a vehicular hiccup manifested—a stubborn caliper snagging our progress, promptly resolved with a dash of roadside ingenuity.
Morning broke with vows exchanged, marking our union in the bosom of Las Vegas’ whimsy. Fortunes smiled upon us at the roulette, a playful prelude to our departure, laden with memories and a promise of shared tomorrows. Our journey traced an arc through the Rockies, an interplay of motorized might and snow-capped allure.
Homecoming, though mundane, bore witness to minor hotel hiccups and a whiff of the east Colorado air, hinting at nostalgia for the vistas left behind. The prized 2002 nestled in our abode, awaiting Thanksgiving festivities and a rejuvenation of its braking prowess.
However, tribulations loomed—brake parts eluded us, complicating the revival. Yet, perseverance prevailed; the car found its stride post-brake bleed, albeit not without trials of battery woes, necessitating individualistic TLC for each cell.
Subsequent test drives unfurled a symphony of learning curves, the winter milieu limiting our automotive dalliances. The 2002, though not a sprinter, teased its potential, offering glimpses of its charm amidst frosty Midwest roads.
Winter’s embrace now holds our 2002 in its garaged reverie, charging at an amiable 80%, a silent witness to our nascent union. As spring beckons, plans simmer—a celebration of marital bliss intertwined with the resuscitation of worn rubber and weathered shocks, awaiting a thaw to reignite the road-bound romance.
- Ebay Listing ↩︎
- Voltronix 40s1p, now 36s1p due to 4 packs having improper resistance. OEM Cell Data ↩︎
- Netgain Motors Impulse 8″ Motor OEM Information ↩︎
- Soliton 1 Controller OEM Manual ↩︎
- Granada Red 023/337 is Dupont CF117, ↩︎