If you’ve ever wanted to meet the grandfather of the Ford Focus Electric, here’s your chance.
In Lake Elsinore, California, the local Craigslist is carrying an ad for a 1980 Ford Fairmont wagon converted into an electric car by Electric Vehicle Associates (EVA).
According to the seller, the converted Fairmont–officially called a Current Fare–is a former U.S. Navy vehicle and in somewhat rough condition. The asking price is $1,000.
The car is powered by 22 6-volt lead-acid batteries and a single electric motor, which produces 22 kilowatts (29.5 horsepower).
Unlike today’s single-gear electric cars, Current Fare conversions were available with either a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission–although the seller did not specify which one is in this wagon.
Cleveland-based EVA claimed its creation had a top speed of at least 55 mph, and a range of around 40 miles.
1980 Ford Fairmont EVA electric conversion.With few public charging stations available and a fairly limited range, it’s not surprising that this electric wagon was limited to work for the government.
Fleet users like government agencies of utility companies could make the most of an electric car by operating it within the confines of a facility equipped with charging stations.
The relatively primitive state of electric-car technology in the 1970s and 1980s didn’t stop EVA from trying other electric-car conversions.
In addition to the Fairmont-based Current Fare, EVA also marketed an electric Ford Escort called the EVcort, and an electric AMC Pacer called the Change of Pace, according to The Pacer Page.
It seems EVA’s engineers loved puns as much as they loved zero-emission vehicles.
[hat tip: Eric Miller]
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