TOGETHER IN ELECTRIC DREAMS?

Keith Seume's musings on the availability of petrol in the future for our classic cars, plus turning classic cars into electric runabouts ( Usual Suspects, July 2018), struck me as being rather alarmist and rather missing an opportunity.

I'm kind of looking forward to the electric future and I'm convinced that such is the goodwill shown to classic cars, and the huge industry behind them economically, no one will begrudge the ongoing availability of fuel to power them, for what will essentially be hobbyist mileage. After all, these vehicles are our heritage and have barely any impact on pollution. Common sense will, I'm sure, prevail.

As for sticking an electric motor in a classic car? Well, why not? In fact I'm thinking about it myself. I have a 911SC (it cost me £7500 15-years ago), which is very tired and needs a full restoration, plus engine and gearbox rebuild. It's the perfect storm of cost v its finished value. Cost has been estimated at close to £100,000, which is frankly crazy. I mean, it's only an SC for gawd's sake! And value when finished? Nothing like that.

So, you know what, I'm thinking I won't be too precious about what is just a cheap SC. I've studied the electric SC Targa built by Richard Morgan at Electric Classic Cars, and that's the path I will take. Electric motor, plus some pragmatic body restoration work and I should be going green for less than half the price of a standard restoration. Like I say, it's only an SC.

Jake Baston, via email

Steve Bennett replies: Like your thinking, Jake. And as you say: It's only an SC. There's hardly any shortage of them.