Hallo!

[duckmonkey]

Hello Fiat fans!

I don't own a 126 but I am looking to acquire one for a project I’m very excited about.  I want to make an electric car and I think the 126 would be ideal – it’s light, well built, and of course it has bags of character!  I'm hoping to find a 126 whose engine is kaput but that is in otherwise good condition – it would be great to get to get it back on the road.  I'm no mechanic but I'm eager to learn and told that the 126 is a nice and simple car to work on.  If anyone knows of one that might meet my needs for sale (or free!) let me know please!

[ChrisRLewis]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Your best option would probably be the Bis water cooled model they are notorious for blown engines due to lack of servicing.
You should be able to pick one up very cheaply if the engine is u/s.

I am sure I have read about a previous conversion of a 126 to electric? Sounds an interesting conversion.

C
 

[Chris Lakin]

nice and green!! what about converting the engine into running bioethanol or equivalent? Are you aiming for going green or want specificaly an electric car?

i dont think the 126 is all that light really, you are looking at 620kg with engine in, this could be brought down with fibreglass panels? Have you looked into Robin reliants they are quite a bit lighter.

interesting project

regards

Chris

[duckmonkey]

Perhaps you've seen this one:

http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/781

To be honest, Chris, I just don't like Robin Reliants!  My initial plan was to build/buy a Locost as this would be the lightest option (I bought the Ron Champion book and everything!) but using a 126 is just more practical.  Robert Chew's 126 will go 15km on one charge which is enough for my daily commute, and I think I can improve on that anyway.

I am mainly doing it just for the fun and "because I can" (hopefully), but I am trying to be green too.

[dajwid]

Did it really say

Conversion Cost   $7000 :shock:

[126dave]

im not really known for my 'green ' credentials.............but.........do the greens know where electricty comes from in most of uk/europe???


lots more to it than a 13amp plug............................we live right next door to cape de la hague nuke reproccesing /generating plant,a constant threat to the channel islands...............i'll stick to hydro carbons thank you

[duckmonkey]

Your electricity doesn't have to come from nuclear or coal.  Good energy (http://www.good-energy.co.uk/) source all their electrickery from renewables.  And I reckon I will easily save the difference in price between them and a "normal" electricity supplier by using no petrol on my commute.

As to the $7000, I'm not sure if thats Aussie dollars or what, but I certainly don't have that to spend.  Mind you he has solar panels on the roof and what-not.

[126dave]

just walk

[duckmonkey]

I biked it once.  Nearly killed me!

[Chris Lakin]

i think thsi electric thing is a good idea, dont let anyone put you off mate,
the fact is you can generate your own electricity but not enough to power a car.

if its been done and it works go for it.

Chris

[126dave]

i agree chris..........problem is,its against the law here to generate your own power...........fact,my dad was arrested by the occupying german army(1941) for making a wind powered generator...............my mate was cautioned for doing the same (1999) by the liberating/occupying british government.......freedom???.

so,if you need to use the 'grid',you are using coal/oil/nuke power my friend...............'nowt for 'nowt................................

oh,and most greens get to their tree hug meetings by car..plane......train.............lol.........some even have leather shoes..................
all meant in the best way of course,a full lecky 126 i applaud....but totaly green?..........................nah

[bis13]

i just hope this electric conversion has allowed for a boost in power to about 150 bhp , the last bloke to convert a 126 was using hot air.....good luck hope it works keep us posted . by the way daves car runs on kronenbourg.......he he

[paul harbinson.]

Good luck with the plan mate.I have to agree with Dave on some things.It's the likes of councils jumping on the "green" band wagon,for example Belfast have just replaced their fleet of busses (poor old dears I miss them) with a fleet of "green" ones,the dam things are ear splittingly loud with great big cooling fan roaring away in the back.Sounds like the shuttle taking off (and thats not green) :roll:

[duckmonkey]

Well, car-wise at least, what *is* good for the environment is saving a car from the scrapyard.  

There are degrees of being green - its not all or nothing!  Best to be a slightly hypocritical tree-hugger than not trying at all...

Anyway.  The $7000 126 EV had 8hp and could reach 60mph (downhill...)  The motor I'll be using has 15-34hp (depending on what you read).  Of course, I'll probably only be able to get to the end of the road and back  :wink:

What bhp does the 126 have anyway?

[Chris Lakin]

hi, the 126 BIS has 26bhp compared with the early model that had 23.

With fuel prices soaring i think its a smart move. Personaly i am into the bio fuel avenue. but wouldnt combining a bio fuel and electric hybrid be cool!

They used to mix parafin in petrol for petrol cars, bioethanal is made from sugar i believe.

keep looking into it, the only way you can get somthing to work like this is to let it dominate everything you do. i.e. time and money.

regards

Chris