Info on 850 electric spider

[divace73]

Hi All
I have seen a brochure on fleabay claiming that an electric version of the 850 spider was made by a company called Die Mesh Corp in NY, does anybody know anything about this or have seen any??
here is the link

>>click here for Ebay link<<
I have nothing to do with the sale of the brochure but am interetsed in the car.

[jsab]

I seem to remember this back in 1972 or 74, they ran on 3 electric motors, and I think the weight of the car was around 2500 lbs or so.

[divace73]

yeah, the borchure is seems to printed in 72 for orders taken in 73 (was this when the other oil crises hit??) , I was hoping someone in the states would have bought or even seen one to get more info, I did a quick google search on the company and didn't get too much. I wonder how many were made?

[manoa matt]

Compare the gas to electric version and you will see why not many were sold

Range: Electric: 35 miles Gas: 260miles
Top speed: Electric: 55mph Gas: 93mph
Curb weight Electric: 2850 pounds Gas: 1642 pounds

The 3 motors and 18 batteries almost double the weight, the car must have handled like a pig.

Have you seen the movie: "Who killed the electric car" There is a Triumph spitfire that was converted to an electric motor and batteries. It was pretty fast and had a good range. An Electric 850 spider made today would be viable and useful as the electric motor and battery technology has made leaps and bounds since 1972. Something on par with a Tesla roadster.

[boogiedude]

Compare the gas to electric version and you will see why not many were sold

Range: Electric: 35 miles Gas: 260miles
Top speed: Electric: 55mph Gas: 93mph
Curb weight Electric: 2850 pounds Gas: 1642 pounds

The 3 motors and 18 batteries almost double the weight, the car must have handled like a pig.

Have you seen the movie: "Who killed the electric car" There is a Triumph spitfire that was converted to an electric motor and batteries. It was pretty fast and had a good range. An Electric 850 spider made today would be viable and useful as the electric motor and battery technology has made leaps and bounds since 1972. Something on par with a Tesla roadster.

I wish my spider weighed 1642lbs and could get 260 miles to a tank

[divace73]

As much as I love the electric idea with range and lower top speed may have not been it's selling point. Obvously if your daily driving distance was within that range then it would be okay??
I imagine wih today's Li-po batteries and direct drive 3 phase motor, it would have a much greater range and would be quite zippy.
Has anybody here seen/know if there are around (or stats on how many if any were sold)?

[manoa matt]

Here are a few interesting links to electric 850 spiders, although most if not all appear to be owner modified:

http://www.evalbum.com/111

http://www.shockwavemotors.com/text/fiat.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdL6D9S7edQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geiHro-oCFk