The current restomod formula typically includes the following – modern suspension, beefy brakes, new electronics, and a fire-breathing V8 engine throwing out gobs of power. That’s all well and good, but with the looming EV transition, it’s likely the ICE piece of that formula will have to change. Now, this Tesla-swapped 1959 Chevy Apache looks to signal the future of restomods.
Built by Electric 51 Speed Shop in Salt Lake City, Utah, this classic Chevy pickup is sure to divide fans, and while we certainly have sympathy for the ICE diehards out there, you have to give it up to Electric 51 Speed Shop for its ingenuity.
Tossing the original six-cylinder, Electric 51 fitted this Chevy Apache with an all-electric powertrain consisting of a motor and battery pack pulled from a wrecked Tesla Model S. The Ludicrous-spec motor was mounted in back to drive the rear wheels, and, in conjunction with the 85 kWh battery, has enough juice to dole out an impressive 800 horsepower.
Naturally, the system adds extra weight over the factory spec, with the builders estimating an extra 400 to 500 pounds of heft added to the vehicle’s original curb weight. While not exactly feathery, the whole setup is still a good deal lighter than the 4,700-pound Tesla Model S that previously cradled the motor and battery.
To make the whole thing work as intended, Electric 51 installed an aftermarket control system in lieu of the original Tesla motor software. With the new software installed, the Chevy Apache drives exactly as it should, whereas the original Tesla system would simply shutdown after figuring out the components weren’t in the original vehicle. The shop also installed an Orion 2 battery management system, and regenerative braking capabilities are retained as well.
Final touches include a full air ride suspension system, Tesla electric braking system (no vacuum), and an iPad in the dash for easy system interfacing.
Check out the full feature video below:
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Comments
Yeah, no thanks.
Oh Hell No. Totally unacceptable.
Ruined a great truck!
Regardless of how anyone feels about EVs, this is a nice, clean hot rod. Good work.
Ruined it
EV’s are NOT the future. The sales are already starting to decline. I believe I read somewhere GM is shifting back to hybrids. This person who built this truck, wasted their time and money. Someone will eventually buy it and drop a LT4 in it.
Give it a set of rings and the original six cylinder would’ve ran another 65 years.
How long will that battery pack and dash iPad be usable?
So…they made a big, expensive golf cart that you can drive on public roads.
You know the restomods that come up from the 80’s and early 90’s, where people say “WHAT were they thinking??” and someone mercifully undoes the handiwork?
Good. See that in this truck’s future.
What a sad thing to do to a classic wonderful pickup. EV vehicles are a stupid idea. Ruined what could have been a fabulous restored Chevrolet
Project X proves EV hot rods are NOT the future. It now runs a 632 V8. People hated when it was EVd.
The Brit reporter neglected to ask how much that electrified Chev pickup cost to construct.
You ruined a great classic truck their.
Future of restomods is a Chevy V8. With how long batteries last, there won’t be many to drop into a body.
Can’t wait to Restomod my truck to EV. This is great pathway and I like it. Nice job. EV is coming no matter what you think.
Read where project X to ev was 50,000 where switching back to the 632 was a little over 30,000. That is 1004 hp for less money plus the sweet sound of a performance big block.
It can’t be disputed that a lot of time & money & fine craftsmanship went into this build, but it is still a shame. I don’t know what age constitutes an “old geezer” but I am only 73 & if I still had my ’55 Cameo a project such as that would never be considered. The good old 327 was more suitable however, I do wish you luck with your Resto mod as long as the victim isn’t American vintage iron.
I just read where the truck was redone with A BBC. EV didn’t meet expectations.
One of the first things I did to my ’50 was put points back in the distributor and ditch the electronic thing the p/o had.
I would love to have that Apache with a stock 4 speed transmission
Hope it burns down what a waste of a nice truck
Hey Sierra, I too am 73 and the owner of a 2023 Z06. I love my LT6 and the great sound it makes. I also love my small block Chevy. The sound of an all-American cross plane V8 is unmistakable. I also own an all-electric SUV (not Tesla) and quite frankly I find its performance, impressive. I have owned high performance Japanese Motorcycles and Harleys. The sound of any of the ICE vehicles I have owned creates a visceral connection to the driver that cannot be understated. Saying all of that, the days of ICE motors are numbered. whether its 2035 or some other date it will happen. I’m just along for the ride.