1996 Electric Escort on Craigslist - Worth the effort?

[teslanv]

I found this on my local Craigslist.

Asking price seems a bit high, since it doesn't have a battery. - I would think a new Leaf battery would do nicely, though.

Is a car like this worth restoring to working order?

What questions should I be asking this guy?

For Sale:
1996 Fully Electric Ford Escort 5-Door car.

This Post is for a fully functional converted Ford Escort - minus the batteries. I'm selling this car for less than what you could buy all of the components needed to convert your own electric car. The car was originally designed to have 18-Trojan T-105s', but recently had a great Lithium Battery pack in. I'm asking $5K OBO. Batteries not included in this sale. It was my daily driver for getting back and fourth to work. With proper battery pack it has a top speed of about 75 MPH. The components alone exceed the value of $5K.

I'm asking $5K for the car without a battery pack. Then you can install any battery pack you would like to. The electrical components and a car to convert would cost way more then $5K, plus all of the assembly is already done.

A good cheap Lead Acid Battery pack would run you about another $2K.

This car is one that was a production run when the car was brand new in 1996. Built by Solectria Force for PSE. The car was bought from Ford without an engine and was made electric when brand new along with a few hundred other Ford Escorts just like it.

Originally it was designed with:
*18 Trojan T-105 Flooded Lead Acid Batteries (System Voltage of 108VDC)
*It still has the original 5-Speed Transmission (which makes it Freeway Capable)
*The Stereo is older and needs updating
*The car is equipped with both AC & DC Heat Systems (One for while driving, and one for pre-heating before driving on cold mornings)
*Very Powerful General Electric DC Electric Motor (Fully Rebuilt in 2012)
*120V 500A Curtis PWM Controller (Replaced in 2013)
*Suspension & Brakes have been checked out and are in great shape

The car was donated to WWU sometime in early 2001 by PSE. It sat at western in storage for over a decade, then I bought the car from WWU at auction. I replaced a lot of the wiring, replaced the Curtis Controller, updated the electrical system to today's EV standards. Installed a 17KW Lithium Battery pack, and it works really great!

For Sale:
1996 Fully Electric Ford Escort 5-Door car. $5K. Batteries not included.

View attachment 2

 

[-dg]

No. Just lease a Spark EV or a Leaf, it will cost less and be a much better drive. I mean, if it was an electrified bugeye Sprite or E type or something cool, sure maybe, but here even in the best case scenario you have a 20 year old Escort.

 

[dogman dan]

Ten years ago, easily worth 5 no battery. Maybe even 5 years ago. Now you can get an electric car again.

3 thou would tempt me, 5 all in with new lead.

Bear in mind, at it's prime, it's a ford escort.

 

[Chalo]

Funny-- they say it's a '96, but that's the body type that was made only until 1990.

 

[teslanv]

Yeah, I was thinking it might be worth a couple grand.
Chalo, I think you are right. That does not look like a 1996 body style.
Guess I'll keep saving my pennies for Tesla's mystical Gen 3

 

[Drunkskunk]

The Solectria Force was a converted Geo Metro. the figures quoted seem to follow the Chevy product, nothing to do with a ford. I can't find where Solectria ever converted Fords. And yeah, that's an 80s Escort, not a 90's Escort. The Company Solectria didn't exists until 1992, and their conversions were based on New OEM supplied vehicles, not after market conversions, so that thing is an impossibility.

One of the true Force cars might be worth $5k in top shape with batteries, just because it was a professional built EV. But that thing isn't one of them. I'd suspect the seller is either on some seriously heavy self medication, or they are simply full of SLA.


Random stuff about the real company and it's better car:
http://evworld.com/blogs.cfm?blogID=798
http://evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=1737

 

[Dauntless]

Probably a typo for an '86 Escort. I think there were problems with more than just the engine, I recall people with old Escorts having lots of brake trouble.

But dang, a toy is always an opportunity. I'll bet the seller doesn't know anything, you probably won't get many answers to the 'Right' questions. As long as it's cheap, get after it.

 

[teslanv]

Looks like it's back on Craigslist. No pictures this go around...
I think I'm glad I'm not the one trying to sell it.

http://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/4732087222.html

 

[major]

To my knowledge, Solectria never made DC motor EVs. This looks like the ones made by Jet Industries of Austin, TX back in the mid 1980s. They used the GE series motor and Curtis (PMC at the time) controller. They were actually pretty nice EVs for the time. And this one is in good shape. With a Lithium battery, it wouldn't be too shabby.

 

[Eclectic]

When I saw you had found an "Escort on Craigslist"... a car wasn't what I was imagining. Hmm... maybe I'm a little bit strange. Not exactly what I look for on CL but I was interested in seeing what a 1996 Electric Escort would look like. At least they would be 18 y/o.

 

[friendly1uk]

I can't believe how ugly that thing is. This is my 86 escort

Colour coded bumpers and door furniture would be a good start. Better still, crush it.

 

[Hillhater]

Ahhhh ! ....XR 3. ...memories of a long gone youth !
I had several of those "Mk 3" Escorts in the '80s . GL's , Ghia, and XR3's ..
Very good fast cars considering they were only 1.6ltr NA motors.

 

[dmwahl]

Looks like it's back on Craigslist. No pictures this go around...
I think I'm glad I'm not the one trying to sell it.
http://bellingham.craigslist.org/cto/4732087222.html

Why would the seller not add photos? Personally I would pay 3k for it, but no more unless the batteries are included and in decent shape.

 

[ambroseliao]

I love the oxymoronic first line:

"This Post is for a fully functional converted Ford Escort - minus the batteries."

 

[friendly1uk]

Ahhhh ! ....XR 3. ...memories of a long gone youth !
I had several of those "Mk 3" Escorts in the '80s . GL's , Ghia, and XR3's ..
Very good fast cars considering they were only 1.6ltr NA motors.

You know your escorts