'Pagoda' conversion to electric. Sacrilege or a brilliant idea?
At first glance, it appears to be a standard model, but under the hood, it harbors an electrifying secret.
8:52 AM EST, December 2, 2023
Electric conversions of classic vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. Given today's environmental concerns and growing restrictions on internal combustion vehicles - particularly older models, it's hardly surprising. While many consider such projects sacrilege, the electric version of the Mercedes-Benz 280SL, dubbed ECD, might draw appeal.
This vehicle is a creation of ECD Automotive Design, a Florida-based workshop for completing electric conversions of Jaguar, Bentley, and Rolls cars. NTheiconic Mercedes-Benz 280 SL, popularly called "Pagoda," has been brought into their workshop.
Beneath the classic bodywork lies a 400-volt electrical system, a 62 kWh capacity battery, and a 300-horsepower engine installed instead of the standard engine. This setup offers notable performance and an approximate range of 175 miles. There is plenty to relish the sense of wind in your hair during weekend drives.
But it's not merely about the power. The team behind the redesign has also updated the interior equipment. It now features power steering and brakes, air conditioning, and modern multimedia systems.
Such a conversion, unsurprisingly, carries a significant cost. The conversion alone costs $135,000, not including the original car used. This means the showcased model will set you back by around $250,000. It's pretty steep, but there will likely be takers for it.
