Most GM Authority readers are well-aware of the annual Holley LS Fest, an annual car show open to vehicles that either came with GM LS V8 engines, or had one of the automaker’s venerable Small Blocks swapped into it at some point. The well-known aftermarket company recently held a similar enthusiast gathering dubbed the Holley High Voltage Experience, a two-day summit that attracted customized EVs, as well as EV-swapped vintage vehicles like this 1966 Cadillac Coupe DeVille.
Built by Arizona-based shop Legacy EV, this drop-top Caddy started out life as a V8-powered Coupe DeVille Convertible. It was later purchased by the CEO of Legacy EV, who had the idea to convert the car into an EV to help promote the company’s business at cars and coffee events, industry trade shows and more. It now features three Netgain Hyper 9 electric motors in place of the 429 cubic-inch V8, which have been linked together in series and produce an estimated 1,000 pound-feet of torque at the rear differential.
The battery pack is a custom setup developed and built by Legacy EV, with range sitting at an estimated 100 miles. This isn’t enough for most drivers, even for a weekend cruiser, however Legacy EV wasn’t particularly concerned about the vehicle’s range, as it’s mostly used as a promotional tool. Other modifications include full adjustable air-ride suspension, custom Cadillac-style wheels and aftermarket whitewall tires.
Holley said Legacy EV’s unique conversion car was a hit at the High Voltage Experience, which was held at Sonoma Raceway in California on July 9th and 10th.
“There were faster cars at Holley’s High Voltage Experience,” the company said of this unique Caddy. “There were cars that had longer ranges, and cars that could carry more people. But none of them could match [the] cool factor of a droptop Cadillac on bags. By far and wide a favorite this year, Legacy EV’s Caddy was the one everybody wanted to be seen in, cruising alongside the bay at sunset.”
Check out the video embedded below to learn more about this throwback electric Cadillac.
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Comments
Man some of these conversions are just badass. Especially when the styling of the vehicles matters more than the power plant.
it seems ok beautiful car, very nice styling but do not understand why converting in EV, neither this low suspension
Love the styling of this 66 Caddy! I had one in red, red leather and white convertible top! Wish I was able to keep it! Not so wild about all that lowering crap! Guess it’s mainly a West coast thing? Don’t care about the 100 mile capacity because it would just be local driving! Thanks for sharing!
I still can’t decide which I like more, the styling of the ’65 or the tweaked ’66 with the painted headlamp bezels and vertical bar in the tail lights..
They took the color out of the hood crest, just like the new ones. I don’t approve.
This car is not a Coupe DeVille, it is a DeVille Convertible. Coupe DeVilles are 2-door hardtops. We had a ’65 Coupe DeVille when I was a boy, a really nice car.
Very fond of 60’s Cadillacs.
Wow imagine someone taking a nice car like this and making it at a cost that’s available for average people. You could always add on extras.
Bet you could out sell Tesla.
I just had my 1967 deVille convertible original 429 engine with over 200k miles, rebuilt at a cost of almost $11,000. My Dad bought the car brand new in 1967 for $5700.
What a shame to take the heart out of an extremely beautiful car and replace it by a washing machine pump…