OwnerGary W.Andersen
LocationSan Jose, California United States map
Email email image
Vehicle1974 Honda Civic
A friend of mine; Phil LaGue, gave this car to me. He built it in 1980. He drove this car in the same rally Loyd Wentzel was entered in. Loyd also had a 1974 Honda Civic.
MotorPrestolite 4001 Series Wound DC
The motor is far from stock. In his machine shop, Phil took off 11 pounds of the outer casing to lighten the load. The assembly that holds all the brushes has been custom made. I don't know all the mods done to this motor,but the ones I can see are very solid.
DrivetrainHonda stock 4 speed. The adaptor that lets the transmission join with the electric motor was machined by Phil LaGue.
ControllerCurtis 1231C
It took 4 months to get this item. It sure was worth the wait. This controller rocks!
Batteries10 Odyssey group 31 stud terminals, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
Absorbed Glass Mat
System Voltage120 Volts
ChargerLester 96 volt
Also a homemade variac that puts out enough to charge at 120 volts. Built by Phil as well.
Heaterno heater
DC/DC Converter
no dc converter
Top Speed79 MPH (127 KPH)
When fully charged it takes off very fast.
AccelerationIt smokes the front tires,then accelerates briskly. Very surprising
Range103 Miles (165 Kilometers)
AT 30 mph it traveled 103
Seating CapacityIt will seat 4 adults no problem. Seats and belts are stock.
This car was first built by my friend Phil LaGue. He built it in 1980 and parked it in 1984. He gave it to me in 2008. It had been on the side of his house for 24 years. I cleaned it up painted it,put in new batteries, and Curtis controller and had motor rebuilt. It looks and runs like new.

code by jerry