Manufacturers are working to make their back catalogues relevant to modern motorists as drivers look to go green.
Mini is set drive a push for classic cars to become more acceptable in modern cities.
Old cars with poor exhaust emissions are banned from major cities such as Paris, while London charges owners of older cars £24 ($45) per day in congestion and emissions fees.
Which is one of the reasons Mini has opened a new department converting classic carburettor-fuelled machines into electric cars with zero emissions.
Based in the UK, the Mini Recharge project replaces the old four-cylinder engine in classic Coopers with a 90kW electric motor. A small battery pack offers around 160 kilometres of range.
It fits well with Mini’s decision to introduce its last petrol-fuelled car in 2025, before converting to all-electric power in the early 2030s.
Mini isn’t the only manufacturer on the case. Jaguar and Land Rover can convert classics to run on battery power, and third-party manufacturers such as Lunaz Design and Superformance build electrified Aston Martin DB6s and Shelby Cobra roadsters.
Many enthusiasts have performed similar conversions sourcing their own components. Mini says its official kit is completely reversible, should owners choose to return their car to original specifications.
That’s an important point, as classic Minis are costly collectibles.
Australia’s Shannons Auctions sold a 1967 Mini Cooper S in 2021 for $50,000.
A 1966 example due to go under the hammer this year has a price guide of $50,000 to $70,000.
Wealthy collectors at home and abroad spend £100,000 ($189,000) or more on “restomod” machines such as the Mini Remastered.
Mini has not released a price for the kit, which is tipped to cost owners at least $20,000.
Originally published as Why classic cars will make an electric comeback
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