When my husband Jim said he wanted to convert a vintage Volkswagen van to electric, I was ecstatic. He was going to combine his award-winning talent for restoring cars with his interest in making a bigger, values-based impact. After years of imagining how he would do this, he had found a customer who was interested in adding this service to their restoration. Jim had his first conversion underway, and the ability to build a vehicle the way he wants to in the future—by making it more green.
A Decade-Long Dream of Electric Conversion
I asked him to take me on a tour of the project once it was finished. “As you know, I’ve been dreaming of converting one of these old buses to electric power for a decade,” says Jim as he walks around the meticulously restored 1957 Volkswagen. He is the owner of Original Restorations, specializing in German vehicle restorations, and has worked in the autobody industry for over 30 years. With his extensive experience, he artistically returns vintage automobiles to their original beauty.
Jim’s passion is obvious whenever I step into his shop. He moves quickly through the space with excitement to show off unique vehicles in various stages of restoration. Now in its 20th year of operation in the Comox Valley, Original Restorations is officially working on something new.
Jim is finally foraying into the environmentally conscious world of electric vehicle conversion. “I have always been proud that I take old vehicles and refurbish them,” he says. “Instead of them ending up in the waste stream, they can be enjoyed for decades longer. Now, I can also eliminate the emissions produced by driving these vehicles.”
Breathing New Life into a Classic Volkswagen
Electric Vehicle (EV) conversions are not often done, especially on such old vehicles, but when the right challenge comes along, Jim loves to work his magic.
The 1957 Volkswagen bus is gorgeous. The glossy two-tone exterior colours in cream and green complement the bright interior.
He hoists the vehicle on his automotive lift to explain the exterior repairs. “See this underside? Remember when the bottom half of the vehicle was completely eaten away by rust? The owner of the van said it had been sitting in the bushes on the farm where he’d grown up. Every square inch of the bus had to be reworked—from replacing panels to metal straightening and rust repair.”
Seamless Technology Meets Classic Design
He opens the engine lid to reveal a state-of-the-art engine bay, sleek and completely clean. Though the outside is stunning, the most remarkable work is the electric conversion of the drivetrain itself, and how he has seamlessly integrated new technology while staying true to the original appearance of the vehicle.
When it was new, the van ran at 36 horsepower, but with its new drivetrain, it operates at twice the original horsepower and three times the torque, with a range of 294km per charge. Jim loves that he continues to add more complex electrical engineering services to his repertoire as he learns new things in his field.
The Artistry Behind Vehicle Restoration
I see Jim as an artist; he expresses his creativity through the process of transforming vehicles. People are gobsmacked when they see his work. And while he has won many awards for his restorations, he finds a lot of satisfaction in achieving his clients’ visions and continuing to grow in his profession.
“Showing an owner the finished product and seeing the look on their faces is what I love. Staying true to the original beauty of the vehicle and doing the kind of work that makes it look like we weren’t even there—that’s the goal.”
As the automotive world evolves, artisans like Jim are bridging the gap between classic aesthetics and modern, eco-friendly technology, ensuring that beloved vintage vehicles can continue to grace our roads for years to come. Through his work, he is championing the artistry of restoration and a greener future for the automotive industry.
Inquiries for restoration work and EV conversions can be made at: www.originalrestorations.com
