One of the hottest trends in the auto hobby these days is upfitting older cars with an electric drivetrain. Gone is the smoke-belching, internal combustion motor, replaced with clean energy and huge horsepower. We’ve seen everything from Porsches to old trucks get the transformation, but we think the coolest EV swaps are pre-war vehicles. The guy who invented Simple Green cleaner is bringing his electrified pre-war roadster to Las Vegas and holding court at SEMA 2024

Simple Green Founder & CEO Bruce Fabrizio will showcase a deft blend of classic automotive design and modern electric technology: a fully restored and electrified 1936 Auburn Cord 810 Phaeton. Designed by legendary industrial designer Gordon Buehrig, the Cord is famous as the first American-made front-wheel-drive vehicle with independent front suspension. This old coffin-nosed beauty has been reimagined by reVolt Systems, based in Oceanside, California. This project not only preserves the provenance of the Cord but also highlights the potential of EV technology in classic car restoration.

The conversion will be conducted by Eddy Borysewics’ team at reVolt Systems.  These guys are expert artisans in high-output electric drive systems for classic cars and hot rods. In an added twist to the complexity of the conversion, the Cord will retain its front-wheel drive configuration. Eddy’s team is rethinking the ancient old ICE front-wheel drivetrain with cutting-edge Tesla components and the latest EV controllers. Power delivery will be managed via a touchscreen interface, and the vehicle will feature a 75 kW battery, offering an anticipated range of 150-200 miles.

While the goal isn’t to create a quarter-mile drag strip terror, the Cord will boast an impressive power output of 600 horsepower and a boatload of torque. Simple Green is documenting the entire electric conversion process from start to finish. The Cord has been fully restored to concours condition, with the internal combustion engine removed and ReVolt Systems having completed their engineering drawings.

Thanks to the original Cord’s front-wheel drive and Lycoming V-8, the entire front running gear can be removed like an aircraft assembly. One of Bruce’s primary goals was to preserve the car’s structure, allowing for a reversible conversion back to its original state with a few hundred hours of labor. Currently, “Green Flash” is on ReVolt System’s rack, with a completion date set just around the corner on the first of September 2024.

The converted 1936 Auburn Cord 810 Phaeton will debut at the Simple Green booth #12061 in the North Hall at the November 2024 Las Vegas SEMA Automotive Show. Simple Green will also showcase their lineup of safer cleaners and degreasers, capable of removing even the toughest grease and grime from engines, tools, parts, vehicle exteriors, and more

Let’s face it, pre-war cars have a dwindling audience as the people who remember them are fading away. Hell, post-war cars have a waning audience as well. Converting gas-powered classics makes them relevant for a younger crowd and keeps the art of the golden era of automobiles in front of the kids and new enthusiasts. In the case of this Cord, we like the idea that the conversion is reversible so the car can return to its as-built state.

We think that after the conversion, most folks wouldn’t dream of going back. Because of that, the EV conversion business will be one of the hottest in the aftermarket arena. Not only are there shops like reVolt that will do the heavy lifting, but there are many firms that will aggregate the electric motor, battery pack, and controller into a kit for DIYers. What do you think the hottest classic car for conversion will be at the dawn of the EV revolution? Let us know on our social media pages.