Fire Fly

Owner	Kay Edgecumbe
Owner's Other EVs	1979 Conzept 1981 NEEV Mobility Scooter 1953 Le Velocette Rebuilt Mobility Scooter 1937 Austin 8
Location	Christchurch, Christchurch New Zealand map
Web/Email	WebPage
Vehicle	1974 home built space framed sports car with VW rear end and Morris Minor front suspension
Motor	Series Wound DC ex forklift motor 36 volts 180 amp
Drivetrain	Volkswagen
Controller	resistance plus series parallel switching single 3 way switch gave 48 /72/144 volts
Batteries	12, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, Flooded plastic cased 12 volt 120 amp hr
System Voltage	144 Volts
Charger	home built
Heater	none
Instrumentation	large ammeter ..speedometer
Top Speed	85 MPH (136 KPH) switching was for 3 banks at 48 volts supply then 72 volts 2 banks then 144v all in series a single 3 way switch
Acceleration	did a wheely once
Range	40 Miles (64 Kilometers) 40 miles on electrics but later hybrid converted and un limited
EV Miles	Current: Miles (0 Kilometers)       As of 10/19/2008
Seating Capacity	2 adults
Curb Weight	2,500 Pounds (1,136 Kilograms) very light space frame with central battery box
Tires	front 13 inch rear 15 inch
Conversion Time	home built over 4 months
Conversion Cost	batteries cost $900 1974 value rest about $400
Additional Features	this was originally designed for the world speed record but during construction the record went up from 110 to 170 plus mph so gave up and made sports car instead
After the batteries wore down I shifted the motor from the rear of the VW box to the front and rearranged the gear shifting. Then a VW motor was replaced on the box and a hybrid car resulted. This enabled me to demonstrate the car at distant venues both as hybrid and electric. Possibly the first hybrid in New Zealand. Controls were all manual so that a hand 'brake' allowed a foot operated clutch to operate and ether petrol or electric could be used or both.

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