Be the first EV at the Challenge with a Solectra FORCE off Govdeals! $620 in Youngstown OH

https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=44&acctid=12593

Also at 935 total miles this might be the most pristine Camry known to man.

Please please please someone from GRM get this and run an electric geo metro at the challenge.  

Add Tesla Power?  Odd little duck as I don't remember seeing the 4 door non hatch Geo.

Oh wow. I interned one summer at Solectria, and it's conceivable I even did the final shakedown signoff on this particular car. 

If I recall, nominal pack voltage is in the 144-156V range, and the bespoke motor controller and onboard charger won't take much higher. It was set up around off the shelf sealed lead acid Sonnenschein batteries, split between underhood and where the spare tire well used to be. An air-cooled AC induction motor from Brusa, through a beautiful cast aluminum gearbox using the Metro's scavenged diff, so halfshafts are stock. Regen braking is all through the right pedal and no mods to the foundation brakes other than a vacuum pump. Perhaps manual steering? I can't even remember now. Rear springs were replaced for the weight, but no other suspension changes. 

These drove pretty well; if not quite OEM then certainly a big step above most EV conversions of the era. But they were not fast. Top speed of about 65 and no problem keeping up with traffic but that's about it. 

Maybe with some Civic Hybrid packs, which I think are around the same voltage, this would be a nice little driver, but without replacing that motor controller I don't think you'll be able to get too much more out of the motor. My young self thought it would be cool to add a second motor in the back using parts from the european Subaru Justy (which was an awd metro).

Of anecdote, my most impactful action during my time at Solectria was to say I didn't really care for the name someone had proposed for another EV we were working on, so that idea never made it out of the breakroom. That name: the Tesla.

I would LOVE to have that for my daily comute. But I predict it sells for WAY over challenge money. If below, you have a lot more than that in it before ever driving it.

03Panther said:

I would LOVE to have that for my daily comute. But I predict it sells for WAY over challenge money. If below, you have a lot more than that in it before ever driving it.

40mins left, $1050. 

In reply to escort1991 :

I wish that was something I could jump on, but bad timing for me. I wonder how much it will cost to get that roadworthy. 

Looked at link after I replied. No longer wish I could have made a move! Almost 4 grand for a car they were not sure even ran... Way outa my league. 

Don't think well see it at a challenge

03Panther said:

Looked at link after I replied. No longer wish I could have made a move! Almost 4 grand for a car they were not sure even ran... Way outa my league. 

Don't think well see it at a challenge

I'm glad it went for that much. If it went for 650 I'd be pissed I didn't jump on it.

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

It’s hard for me not to fall for the “price posted ain’t the price” thing. Makes more sense in an auction ad, than FB or CL, but I still get my hopes up too often. I’m kinda dense sometimes!

Just an FYI the first EV at the challenge was a Honda electric conversion done by member Nashco