Livin’ La Vida Volta

Converted classics on display at Golden’s electric car show

BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

While many of the usual classics were on display at this weekend’s car show at Golden High School, there was something di erent under the hoods.

e shiny engines were gone, replaced by small batteries or storage space. e usual roars and revs were substituted for slight hums as the cars pulled onto the lots.

Because these once gas-powered classics had been converted to electric.

On Aug. 5, dozens of individuals and companies participated in La Vida Volta electric car show, displaying both factory-released and converted electric cars. e converted section included classic cars, modern sports cars and utility vehicles.

Owners described how EV conversion has made their cars faster, more reliable and more e cient. Plus, it’s keeping these classic cars and the spirit of American hot rodding alive for the next generation.

“It’s di cult and expensive, but

(the result) more than makes up for it,” Kevin Erickson said of EV conversion.

Erickson, who lives in Commerce City, spent about 18 months converting his 1982 Plymouth Satellite to electric. He still makes occasional adjustments, saying he just now got the defrost function working.

But, he’s also modernized it with “all the bells and whistles,” like remote start. It’s now his daily vehicle,