VIDEO: The White Zombie - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

bennelson · 12-05-2008, 09:08 PM

A friend sent me a link to a video about the White Zombie.

If you aren't familiar with this car, it's a slick electric "sleeper" dragster.

It's a very cool car, built by a very cool guy.

I couldn't find a good way to embed the video, so you have to click out to view it, then come back here to comment.

See it here:
Oregon Field Guide — Electric Drag Racing · Oregon Public Broadcasting

-Ben

~

captainslug · 12-05-2008, 09:16 PM

I am familiar. Here's two more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bXXSZWtvF8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cf89tawZX8

I think the Datsun is a hilarious choice considering that
1. It's a popular sleeper drag racing platform
2. Was also a fairly popular slot car

Christopher Jordan · 12-06-2008, 12:21 AM

Outstanding! I knew all about the Kill-a-cycle, but nothing about any '72 Datsun! Monster Garage TV show stuffed a big block in a Datsun; but this EV would have "destroyed" that gasser on a strip! I was thrilled seeing these videos. THANKS!

cfg83 · 12-06-2008, 01:07 AM

bennelson -

Coolio! I know about that car, it's a cult-electric-legend I think.

CarloSW2

Cd · 12-06-2008, 09:37 AM

I've admired this guy for years.

I just wish more people knew about him and the Zombie.

I e-mailed him a couple of times and asked if he had a degree in mechanical engineering, or electronics. His response was " Hell, I barely passed high school ! "
He has a great attitude. Really a fun guy.

Go John !!!

Christopher Jordan · 12-06-2008, 10:22 AM

A lot of City-ELs were imported into CA about 1993 and the business selling them just just fizzled out (mine was one, I think). The whole stock is pretty used up and gone, but an inventor put formula I type front wheels on, and changed power- probably motorcycle.

If I went lithium, I would probably snap the 'v' belt and burn those new moped tires right off!. But I can always dream!

Clev · 12-06-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cd

I've admired this guy for years.

I just wish more people knew about him and the Zombie.

I e-mailed him a couple of times and asked if he had a degree in mechanical engineering, or electronics. His response was " Hell, I barely passed high school ! "
He has a great attitude. Really a fun guy.

Go John !!!

IIRC, he's a forklift technician, so he has a lot of experience with EVs.

squatch · 12-07-2008, 07:29 PM

A friend sent that to me the other day. You gotta love it.

MetroMPG · 12-08-2008, 09:02 PM

His first EV (Blue Meanie -which he still has) started out on 48v with a contactor controller setup. It was part of the inspiration for the ForkenSwift.

It's much upgraded since then, and looks like show car condition.

Welcome to Plasma Boy Racing, home of White Zombie, the world's quickest street legal electric door slammer in the 1/4 mile drag.

Plasma Boy Racing Photos :: Blue Meanie

Christopher Jordan · 12-08-2008, 09:55 PM

That Blue Meanie is so plain- no huge tires, wheelie bars, hood scoops, and so on! I took the City-el a very short way down highway 1 yesterday (about 45 mph) but it barely made it home (2 miles), and didn't charge right up in 2 hours like it normally does. To get 48 volts to push a whole car is impressive.

A newer City-el in England put lithium batteries in last summer, I think, but each battery was very wrapped and insulated and no power or distance increase was mentioned. That City-el was sold a few months ago.