Casting about for a candidate for a retro-EV conversion, I find the Stephen Blake-era Avanti:
Quote:
On October 1, 1982, real-estate developer Stephen H. Blake bought the rights to the Avanti II...
Modifications were introduced to the car, which had remained unchanged since the production of the Avanti II model began in the mid-1960s. A new convertible body style along with an all-new and lighter backbone chassis that was designed by Herb Adams, a former Pontiac engineer, using a torque tube with a 1985 Chevrolet Corvette aluminum rear end and independent suspension. Rectangular headlight openings and plastic body-colored bumpers were introduced. The "II" was dropped from the car's name and all subsequent cars were called the "Avanti".[citation needed]
Blake's company declared bankruptcy and he resigned in February 1986.[
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The original Avanti had a heavy ladder frame. I can't find a picture of the original backbone frame, here's a similar custom frame for a 2-passenger Avanti GT.
Avanti GT Tribute - Page 2
Fiberglas body and Tesla drivetrain, with Raymond Lowey styling.
