Tag Archives: conversions

Motorsport

Turn Your Classic Mercedes 280SL Into A Gorgeous EV For $135K

Converting classic cars into electric vehicles is becoming increasingly popular. The team at ECD Automotive Design in Florida recently converted the Jaguar E-Type into an elegant electric roadster. Even classic Bentleys and Phantoms have received the EV treatment in recent months. Now a shop in Texas is joining the trend with a stunning Mercedes-Benz 280SL EV conversion.

The Moment Motor Company in Austin is producing a limited run of 280SL EVs as part of its “Signature” series of classic car conversions. Each build incorporates a 400-volt powertrain with a three-phase permanent magnet electric motor and a 62.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack, delivering 300 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque – nearly double the original SL’s factory offering. The estimated total driving range is 175 miles.

Mercedes-Benz 280SL EV Conversion

This upgrade also includes modern features such as power steering, power brakes, heating, and air conditioning to provide a more contemporary driving experience. Even the chrome gauges have been updated with a “kilowatt” meter and a range estimate, all while maintaining the classic Mercedes-Benz look and adding modern touches.

“Our builds respect the integrity and design of the original vehicle while integrating the enjoyable, exciting exhilaration of EV power in a safe manner,” says Moment founder Marc Davis.

Mercedes-Benz 280SL EV Conversion
Mercedes-Benz 280SL EV Conversion

Naturally, these beauties come at a hefty price. Moment is asking $135,000 solely for the conversion – the donor Mercedes is not included. They have partnered with Unique Cars Of Palm Beach, a company that can help source a turn-key example for approximately $250,000. However, since each car is customized, prices are likely to increase with additional options.

Motorsport

Wild School Bus Camper Is Part Mad Max, Part Star Wars, All Awesome

School bus conversions have become popular in the tiny home/vanlife community due to their affordability and size, which is comparable to a studio apartment. These buses provide a blank canvas for creative individuals to design unique living spaces. One exceptional example is this bus conversion that combines elements of Mad Max and Star Wars, resulting in a truly one-of-a-kind vehicle.

Gordon, the owner of this remarkable bus, acquired it from a school district auction for just over two thousand dollars. Initially, he didn’t have a concrete plan for the bus conversion but had a few ideas for ensuring its versatility and practicality. While Gordon doesn’t live in the bus full-time, he utilizes it for his business and works out of it.


Motorsport

Isuzu 4WD Box Truck Camper Is The Ultimate Stealth Off-Road RV

School bus camper conversions are quite popular, but there aren’t as many DIY box truck builds. At first glance, this plain white Isuzu looks like a regular work truck. That’s exactly what the owner wants people to think, because the interior is far from work-related.

Shared on YouTube by Tiny House Giant Journey, this camper is the full-time home for builder Luke and his daughter. It was built four years ago, and so far Luke has invested around $54,000 in it. This includes the 2007 Isuzu NPR, which is equipped with four-wheel drive. The cab is not luxurious, and it can be a bit noisy while traveling, but it has a simple 4WD system and an engine that’s easy to service. This makes it surprisingly capable in urban environments with tight spaces and off-road as a legitimate overlanding RV.

Isuzu Custom Camper

But the mechanical details aren’t the main focus here. Luke built the living space from scratch to make it an all-season home. He and his daughter love the outdoors, so he incorporated mounts for bicycles and skis near the front and rear doors. Instead of a garage space at the back, there’s a removable table and a futon that converts into a queen bed. The open space also features a massive glass door that’s revealed when the standard cargo door is opened. As an additional bonus, the electric lift ramp normally used for loading cargo now serves as a back porch.

Moving forward, the kitchen area makes use of a large toolbox that doubles as cabinet space with a countertop. An old-school entertainment center functions as storage for the refrigerator and electrical system, including a bank of batteries and a 3,000-watt inverter. Across from that is a sink and a two-burner gas stove with a hood vent. This is also where the wood stove is located, which adds ambiance and warmth to the camper.

The front of the camper serves as the main bedroom with two large beds for Luke and his daughter. It also houses a fully enclosed bathroom with a spacious shower and a toilet with a bidet. Three tank heaters keep the water warm in the winter, powered by a large propane tank that rarely needs refilling.

According to the video, maintaining the worn look of the Isuzu’s exterior is essential for parking in places where regular RVs wouldn’t be allowed. The downside is the lack of windows unless the cargo door is open, but Luke says that the stealth aspect is crucial for comfort in various locations. It’s definitely one of the coolest camper builds that combines both utility and a stealthy exterior.

Motorsport

School Bus RV Conversion With Loft And Game Room Is Home For Family Of 7

We’ve come across many impressive custom bus conversions that serve as luxurious full-time homes for families, but none quite like this. This particular bus, owned by Jeff and Anna, not only accommodates a family of seven, but also includes a permanent loft. Yes, you read that right – a loft for a family of seven (or nine, if you count the cat and dog). And yet, somehow, it doesn’t feel cramped.

Jeff and Anna are experienced buslifers who embarked on their journey with this full-size skoolie back in 2017. The version featured in a recent video by Tiny Home Tours is actually their second stage of construction, built after approximately two years on the road with their initial design. As their family grew, they decided to add a loft – a small second floor with two small bedrooms and a game room for some family fun.

The other three kids’ bedrooms are located on the main floor, although they are essentially large bunks with enough space for a bed and not much else. This allows for a spacious kitchen, which is essential for feeding a family of seven. They’ve used butcher blocks for all the countertops, mounted on custom-built cabinets. The kitchen also features a full-service four-burner propane oven, situated across from a large refrigerator/freezer. Additionally, there’s a washer and dryer in the kitchen area, and a full-size bathroom is located just aft of the kitchen.

In contrast to the bunks, the master bedroom is more than just a bed. It houses a king-size bed on top of the engine bay, with ample storage space and shelves surrounding the bed at the back. While the living room is not technically a bedroom, it provides enough sofa space for a comfortable nap. The sofa cushions even have seatbelts for safety during travel.

The video doesn’t mention the total power and water supplies, but the bus operates primarily on solar power, which is sufficient to run multiple climate control units inside. As for the tanks, the wastewater needs to be emptied approximately once a week, considering it is used by a family of seven – a reasonable timeframe.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen an old bus converted into a luxurious tiny home, nor is it the first time we’ve seen a bus repurposed as a full-time home for a large family. The bus was purchased for $4,000 in 2017, and the total investment at this stage is around $50,000. However, the priceless experiences of traveling together as a large and adventurous family, exploring the country, make it all worthwhile.