Citicar Skeleton to resurrect!

[bennelson]

Rich and I hit the road today to go get a Citicar frame.

Rich was the official purchaser of the vehicle, (as my wife would kill me if I started another project) and he only had to pay scrap metal value for the frame.

The frame clearly has the VIN stamped into the frame, and the dashboard came with it as well with the matching VIN plate. The car doesn't have a title, but having the VIN and bill of sale is all that's really required to get one.

We got the frame from Phil, who is a big Citicar fan. This frame is what is left of a junky Citicar Phil stripped for parts to use to fix up other Citicars. (He has 4 he is restoring, the first is starting to look really good!) Phil is a great guy who has installed solar for years, built his own log home, brews his own bio-diesel, and more.

You know every cover of MOTHER EARTH NEWS you have looked at? That's his place.

I also got a solar hot water panel from Phil, again for about what it's worth in scrap metal. (Pure copper pipes inside!) It's a 4'x10' panel, rather heavy, a good weight for two guys to lift. Now I just have to figure out how to install it!

Photos below!
PS: Don't expect a whole lot more for this project in a while. Rich has an XR3 to build first. I will first be building a garage, a solar hot water system, and possibly an electric pontoon boat before rebuilding this Citicar.








Here was the view in the rear-view mirror for the next 3 hours driving home.

[vinny1989]

What, no pictures of you sitting in it making whiiiiiirrrrrrrr sounds? Kidding.

The frame looks very simple.. is that a plastic floor?

I like how it still has the rear view mirror!

[bennelson]

Plastic floor?!

You bet! Everything about this car is lightweight and rustproof!

For anyone not familiar with these cars, they are one of only a hand-full of street-legal, all electric cars made in America in the last 50 years.

Visit EVAlbum: Search Results to see what one looks like when it's all together.

[Christ]

I might have to copy that frame design! That almost looks like it might fit and work with the dune-buggy project I've been thinking about.

Think you can get me a thickness measurement on the tubing's wall thickness and overall diameter? Pretty please!!!!!???

[SVOboy]

Nice find! You guys will soon become king of citicar.

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by Christ

Pretty please!!!!!???

It's not at my place, but I will try to remember to do that next time I see it.

[Ryland]

I'm pretty sure the floor is aluminum with plastic over it, at least that is how my commuta-car is and I thought that is how my citi-car is as well, looks like a good project lots of room for nice updates.

[bennelson]

Here's a better photo of the bottom of the Citicar.



As you can see, it's aluminum where the batteries go and where your feet go.

There is a plastic panel that goes over the top of where your feet go, it continues up the front angled area to up under the dashboard.

In the back, it's just plastic in the so-called cargo area.

This design puts strength only where it's needed, and saves weight otherwise.

[TomEV]

Hey Ben! Looks like we're on about the same page as far as C-Car skeletons go -

Tom & Jackie Keenan's 1980 Comutacar

So - What are the plans?

[Daox]

Is Rich thinking about making the truck version out of this one?