I always wanted to do this.. This is so cool

I like the idea of a series hybrid which is what this sounds like. Engine turning a generator + batteries/ultra capacitor powers electric motor which turns wheels. The engine could be gas, diesel, turbine or replace that with a fuel cell if that tech pans out. Plug in makes it all the better.

Yeah, I always wanted to do something like this to! Rock on man!

Not sure what the big deal is. I did this very same thing 7 years ago at the University of Maryland College Park. In fact, we participated in a competition with 6 other schools around the country who did the exact same thing. It was called Futurecar and has been going on since '97 or '98. Sure, it wasn't a '32 ford, but who cares? the work is in the drivetrain and controls, the body is unimportant. The competition has changed gears a little and is now called futuretruck (working towards making gas guzzling SUV's more efficient)

Don't get me wrong, i applaud the work on hybrid vehicles. But this article gives the impression that this is some kind of new or novel undertaking. When, in fact, we did the same thing 7 years ago.

Nice wheels, NOT! ;)

why?

This is for the OSR guys~
No! this is not cool! save the hybrid bs for the ugly hunks of plastic that will crumple when hit with a shopping cart!
These old fords, along with every other cool car out there, is meant to be one thing: Raw, Metal, Gasoline-suckin' monsters! Long live the {tradition} hotrod!

(Note: do not delete this post, i have a right to share my opinion, and to represent the correct side of hotrodding!)

Great idea and it could be CLEAN, I could imagine a fuel cell with H2O as the only pollutant, then a kit to convert other vehicles.
Let's keep it going and have fun. I want to keep in touch with this one.

Why did Dave quit 7 years ago? You hear about Futurecars then it dies, let's keep this going!

Hey, I'm also a street rod guy and i have to say, a lot of street rodding/hot rodding has to do with what that other guy said, but anybody who's ever been to a goodguys or NSRA show can tell you that it's also very much about individuality and expressing yourself through your ride. when you go to a show you don't always like every car there but you've got to give them credit for building something. How fun would a show be if every car there was a yellow 32 ford with a sbc? Hot Rodding is about inovation too, so I applaud the hybrid.

you go boy, i have a 1952 Ford panel truck that faces the same destiny as yer 32. my joy and elation @ feeling the original flathead pull me thru the new millinium is tempered and refocused toward the anticipation of cruising relatively emission free in a hotrod american dream run amok!
keep on kruison

Everybody deserves their day,
I could care less about people who claim they have done it before!
A kit that is offerd up to the public is something I could sell!
And I would love to be a part of it.
please keep me updated on this project.
Don't let the loser's stop your progress...
Regards.

Im sorry but this just really isnt cool. Go put a hybrid engine in something useless like a honDUH. A 32 ford is the most beautiful car ever made and it deserves to have a fire breathing, gas guzzleing v8. Still though I comend you for your efforts but it still seems pretty pointless to me. Pull out that green tree hugging crap motor and put a gas powered engine in. Also for god sakes lose those wheels. Some steelies and bias plys will do the trick

Wow. This must be the lamest thing i have ever seen. thank god its a fiberglass 32 and he didnt waste a real one. I have a hybid 32 5 window. It burns gasoline and RUBBER. Its like a liberal hot rod. LAME!!!!

I thought of this exact idea awhile back of having an electrical 32 ford roadster in Huntington Beach, California....it would be a great hit...good luck...I know it will be popular...

I have been looking for information on how to convert several of my older cars into hybrids. I'm not sure it is worth the price. I will continue to seek advice on the bet way to proceed.

Power must be used to propel from point "A) to "B"
what you use is a variety of supplies from a varying amount of manufacturers, the main Idea is to extend the power used to perform the task. With this in mind recalling all the types available all using some resource for fuel, green power is most efficient for this namely the sun's rays or light made from one source or another converting energy to usually a storage cell. batteries are tradionally heavy thus reducing their transmission of sun power to get it moving. enter government standards, the passenger safety, the air bags, the safer bumpers, the seating and glass weight making an already heavy vehicle a power burner. effectively we inherently want to live and love to vote for having high standards for vehicular safety it's a trade off. We historically have used power of the dollar or value used to attain this end usually the demise of the practicality of any power plant used by any alternative fuel. Plug in's are gaining popularity, using fossil fuels to make the power used in the vehicle trade off in emissions down the power cord. Getting sun to cooperate enough to push a heavy vehicle used with air conditioning demanded by public and TV's radios, seating weight to comfortably get you down the road.get the picture, we love to legislate the engineering and demand the comforts we are used to having, old snafu of shooting self in foot. unless you cater to a specific area without Government interference in the manufacturing it will take billions to first get the government spec allowable and then incorporate the needs of the public trying to make everyone happy and use green efficient fuel like sun power is effectively impossible for anyone without the automotive clout of power and money. put it to a vehicle that passes all expected tests and you will be inefficient inherently.

GM Retiree Master Mechanic

June 12, 2008 8:01 AM