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Project X Is A Fully Electric 1957 Chevy 210 With 340 Horsepower

While a good portion of the vehicles present at the SEMA Show each year are powered by hugely powerful internal combustion engines, electric vehicles have begun to appear at SEMA in increasing numbers over the past few years. One of the most attention-grabbing EVs at this year’s show will without a doubt be the Chevy Project X – a battery-electric 1957 Chevy 210 with a 30 kWh battery pack.

Chevy says that Project X is based on a vehicle that was originally purchased by Hot Rod magazine for $250 in 1965. It has since been used as a testbed by editors of the magazine to try out various products and technologies and as a result, has been powered by a wide variety of inline-six and V8 engines over the years.

A builder by the name of Cagnazzi Racing transformed this unique 210 into the battery-electric “Project X,” replacing the supercharged LSX V8 that resided under the hood with an electric motor delivering an estimated 340 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. Power comes from a 30 kWh battery, which is described by Chevy as a “400-volt proof-of-concept lithium-ion battery,” that is being “evaluated for potential use as a next-generation Chevrolet Performance product.” The automaker says the battery pack provides “enough range for weekend cruising,” but did not provide an exact range figure.

A quick-change differential allows the final-drive ratio of Project X to be quickly adjusted based on how the car is being used. For example, fitting it with a shorter final-drive ratio would provide quicker acceleration, which could be of use at the dragstrip. A taller gear relaxes performance and extends the vehicle’s usable range, making it better suited to casual cruises and road trips. The car also now features an electric brake booster and electrohydraulic power steering pump, which were necessary modifications to support the new EV powertrain.

Project X still rides on the sixth-generation Corvette front suspension that was installed in 2007, Chevy says, although some other minor setup changes were required with the EV conversion. Since the exhaust was no longer needed, the builders at Cagnazzi Racing were able to lower the car by roughly two inches. It has also been fitted with softer front springs and stiffer rear springs, as the electrified car now carries less weight under the hood and more weight over the rear axle compared with the previous build – mostly thanks to the rather heavy battery pack. As a finishing touch, Cagnazzi Racing also installed the push-button gear selector from a C8 Corvette Stingray.

Project X will be on display at the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas from November 2nd through to November 5th.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. (A). I can’t imagine any U.S. Chevy enthusiast wanting to make their ’55-’74 two-door electric.
    (B). But no problem with a 4-door sedan or a plethora of pickups.
    (C). You should have left Project X as-is and found some other cool Chevy to make electric.
    (D). Why no mention of the $ cost to perform the electric swap?
    Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Doug I feel the same that cars been around for umteen years why screw with it..

      Reply
      1. It has been changed every few years, It has never had the same drive train. Different engines and other performance parts have been swapped out on it for ages.

        It’s point is to explore what can be done today with mods and performance parts and to remain on the cutting edge.

        Reply
    2. China is extremely happy to see the US falling under their control with electric vehicles.

      Reply
  2. I would not sweat it as this car has has everything this side of a J57 Pratt and Whitney in it.

    2 years from now it will have a twin turbo DOHC Zora engine in it.

    Let’s face it till it gets a change it is off the Hot Rod Power Tour.

    Reply
  3. Might be only way to attract attention if they electrify a Classic Chevy? At least it looks good. Now they can put the new crate engine in it so we can sleep at night, again. Mary can drive it on stage. Ew.

    Reply
  4. Back in 1965, when Popular Hot Rodding magazine (NOT ‘Hot Rod’ magazine) started the Project X series, I had also bought a ’57, a 210, 2-door sedan. Every month, I followed that series in that magazine, and made many of the same modifications to my car, or as much as my limited budget would allow. In 1969, I was drafted, and subsequently shipped to Vietnam; I was forced to sell my Chevy, but I’ll NEVER forget that car nor that project series in that magazine. For me that was the start of a lifelong involvement with hot rods and drag racing that continues to this day.

    I also followed Project X’s resurrection when Hot Rod magazine took over the car a few years ago (after Popular Hot Rodding magazine went out of print), putting in a big block, then an LS-based engine, and then back to an old-school small block.

    I understand—and accept the fact—that the electrification of American autos is inevitable. But good grief; is NOTHING sacred to our country’s automotive heritage? That car is a significant piece of hot rodding history; to ‘electrify’ it is blasphemy.

    What’s next, GM; electrifying an all-original, cherry 1963 Corvette Split Window coupe?

    Reply
  5. EVs are a fad now, a generation from now it will be the norm, makes me glad I’m 78 and won’t have to go through that mess. Manufacturers are scrambling to make EVs that make up 1% of car sales. Infrastructure has to be totally changed before EVs can be viable to replace ICE. EVs must be able to travel more than 250 miles before taking more than a bathroom break and snack to recharge. EV trucks must be able to tow a big trailer more than 100 miles before that long recharge time . They have a long way to go before the transition, it may take 2 generations before they become viable alternatives to ICE. I don’t see any power companies scrambling to upgrade the infrastructure and that will include larger everything to carry the current necessary to recharge everything EV.

    Reply
    1. Oh C’mon…..I thought it was only the Electric Car people who were Chicken Littles…

      No one was in deathly fear when Central Air conditioning became commonplace in Northern States’ homes. Or the equivalent of 6 central power stations necessary to be built in the 1960’s when people went from energy ‘sipping’ refrigerators with a freezer only good for a gallon of ice cream and an Ice cube tray to the more Mammoth Frost Free energy hogs.

      The outlawing of incandescent light bulbs and the increasing energy efficiency of household appliances means that NO infrastructure changes of any kind is necessary for ONE EV car per household – as the savings in juice from the former more than makes up any use that one, or in some cases, even 2 evs would use..

      The other fallacy by the ‘uninitiated’ is the Canard that modernization is not happening.. Of course modernization has been, and is continually happening by the Investor Owned Utilities…

      It is only in WOKE states where silly Policies cause Power Outages – as for instance California and Texas – those that would happen with or without electric cars.

      The other thing is overnight Charging, when there is currently too little usage since all the Factories have been moved to China, LESSONS the stress on the ‘grid’ – eventually moving to lower electric rates than they otherwise would be. 80% of all electric car charging happens overnight.

      Reply
      1. Xi Jinping…… Is that You and Joe again ??

        Reply
      2. You might want to check with Elon musk, he said already that the infrastructure will not support large numbers of EVs at this time. Research!

        Reply
  6. Now it has to be parked outside.

    Reply
    1. Yes, these explosive EV’s have torched off several buildings already.

      Reply
  7. This car is referred to as a “210” but carries Bel Aire trim. That’s OK but shouldn’t that be explained?

    Reply
  8. This car is a Belair not a 210 model

    Reply
    1. Don’t spoil the journalists story, just because someone 60 years ago didn’t get the model right and everyone since has repeated the same info without checking the facts. I noticed it but just chalked it up to poor journalism.

      Reply
    2. Every article from the past shows this as a 210. It clearly has Belair trim, but a lot of 210s have Belair trim. Also a lot of pics of it in 210 trim.

      Reply
  9. More brain washing. The complexity of a safe EV is not a simple task. The cost exceeds a IC engine trans plant Then there is lack of a infrastructure to support a multitude of such EV vehicles. You won’t be able to just use any manufacture’s charging station. Wouldn’t be surprised they pass legislation to stop any type of EV conversion.

    Reply
  10. The 57 referenced as a 210 refers to the fact that it is a 2-door post. Bel Air or Biscanne?! could be hard top or post. The same goes for the four door with the exception that it would no longer be referenced as a “210”. Regardless, electrifying any hot rod is taking away the thrill of raising the hood to see and hear what makes it a hot rod. Geeez…!

    Reply
    1. There were 3 trim levels in the ‘50s, 150=base, 210=mid level, and BelAir=top of the line. There wasn’t a Biscayne until 1958 when the 150 and 210 were dropped. The base model was the Biscayne, the BelAir became the mid level and the Impala was the top of the line.

      Reply
  11. Call me crazy but this is a sacrilege. A beautiful ’57 210 turned into a MUSK-MOBILE. When will the madness stop…

    Reply
    1. George go to any cruise night and you will rarely see an untouched car…

      I hate going to Cruise Nights any longer since EVERY SINGLE VEHICLE has been bastardized to the extent that you don’t have an old car, and you don’t really have a new car. I’m not against some modernization – as for instance to me an electronic ignition is ok since you don’t have to change plugs and points every 10,000 miles anymore.. But that’s only if the car is a daily driver and really racks up the miles.

      Jay Leno went on a tirade about not needlessly changing things, specifically keeping 6 volt system cars 6 volts, and not doing a needless conversion – when these cars would always start in the coldest weather…The mistake people make is to not use at least the same size wire as factory spec – and that is where they start having electrical problems. With the internet – there are plenty of reasonable 6 volt replacement batteries still available. As well as any burned out lights.

      Reply
  12. What could be more boring than an electric Tri 5 Chevrolet?

    Reply
  13. An electric Daton 210.

    Reply

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