Hybrid Van Conversion

[GreenHornet]

I know this is an old topic but one that I have thought about off and on for sometime. Currently I am completely immersed in my Tigon diesel electric hybrid car project but after I finish and have time on my hands this is the next project I will take on.

The plan and approach is very similar to that of the Tigon. I will take a 1974 or older van and convert it to an Diesel electric vehicle. The good part is it will not take me near as long as Tigon to complete since much of the diesel electric hybrid drivetrain is complete and all the electronic components and relationships have been made. You would be surprised as to how long it takes to find companies who will work with the small non OEM guys!

Anyways my goal of this thread is to explore different pre 1974 vehicles with steel bodies that can easily be removed from the chassis such as the VW Buses or Subaru 360 Vans, Fiat 600 etc..

The rough requirements for this project will be:

#1. Van multi passenger 6-9 seat capable
#2. Redesigned aerodynamic composite body shell
#3. Larger diesel electric hybrid drive
#4. Easily obtainable donor vehicle
#5. Large parts selection
#6. Finished curb weight under 2,400lbs
#7. fuel economy of no less than 50mpg city and 75mpg freeway
#8. 100mph top speed capable
#9. Coefficient of drag .25 or better
#10. Cost under 15K to build

Any ideas for suitable donor vehicles as well as diesel engines to convert to hybrid drive?