ampREVOLT's blog

restoration continues - [taxi - pt 7]

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 7:41pm

Restoration continues on the taxi project.  This update documents a bit of progress on the clutch and brake systems as well as repairs and painting of the engine compartment.  Things are beginning to look sharp under that hood just in time for a visit from the TV news station I grew up watching.  . . .

apologies!

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Fri, 01/04/2013 - 2:27pm

Our website ampREVOLT.com is undergoing a few changes and updates today and in the process you may have accidentally been sent a link to an EV store page.  You should only be receiving email updates on the occasion that a new blog entry is posted.  We sincerely apologize for the technical difficulties and are genuinely committed to keeping your email subscription 'spam-free.' 

Thank you for your patience. . . .

she rolls - [taxi - pt 6]

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 8:21pm

The taxi project moves forward - literally!  In episode six we employ the local talents, skills and experience of one mister Benji Jr. . . .

EVs converge in the heartland

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Fri, 10/05/2012 - 2:48pm

Last year about this time I was dizzy with excitement as I had just returned from EVTV's first annual Electric Vehicle Conversion Convention, or EVCCON, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  I had the incredible honor of winning the EVTV Build Your Dream Contest at the convention and you can read about that experience here.  Since that project is not yet complete, this year my dad and I took my daily-driver, the lithi . . .

first mate - [taxi pt 5]

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Thu, 09/27/2012 - 8:24am

Happy to say that the Austin Taxi conversion can finally progress once again now that the motor adapter plate and coupler have been delivered.  Valuable lesson learned:  before mailing critical parts and lots of money to a company thousands of miles away, maybe check the Better Business Bureau website.  This company scored an 'F' and had several unresolved complaints.  It was all right there on the website, had I referred to it.  
. . .

big boy pants

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Sun, 06/17/2012 - 10:47pm

I never thought there'd be a day when I'd refer to my car as "my baby," but it is indeed touching as you watch them grow up, develop and eventually become a productive member of society.  All the more reason to keep a scrapbook, right?  (see video below)  It seems like only yesterday she was a just heap.  
. . .

back to school

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Wed, 05/23/2012 - 12:10am

The main reason for me getting into the field of alternative transportation was to help show the largely unaware public that there are other solutions to our driving "needs."   No longer must we rely on literally burning through natural resources just for our economy to function.  In addition to being a substance of unparalleled versatility and value, I find oil to be finite, filthy and largely foreign.  If it's so precious and vital for basically the entire world of manufacturing, why burn it up in our cars and trucks?
. . .

austin marathon - [taxi pt 4]

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Fri, 04/20/2012 - 12:35am

Video update number four of the 2011 EVTV Build Your Dream EV series covers removal of the fuel components, battery box design, transitioning from automatic to manual transmission and visits to our local chapter of the Electric Auto Association: the Eastern Electric Vehicle Club.  We'll also touch on gear ratios and engine bay preparation.

part 1 . . .

austin space - [taxi pt 3]

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Sat, 03/03/2012 - 6:56pm

Obstacles and delays arise but the London taxi conversion perseveres onward.  This "episode" deals mostly with planning and preparation of the vehicle.  The FX4 is simultaneously a solid beast of a car and quite light for its size.  A descendent of the FX3 (1948-1958), this model would be built from 1958 to 1997 and eventually become the icon it is today for classy British city transport.  This taxi also has a sick turning radius.  A quick look at an article about the "Top 10 Urban Cars" on cars.com reveals nine cars with turning radius' of 34.3 - 37.8 f . . .

austin underway - [taxi pt 2]

Submitted by ampREVOLT on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 2:05am

What better way to start off the new year than with a new conversion project.  I've been the proud owner of a defunct, but otherwise brilliantly restored, 1971 Austin FX4 London taxi for over a year now.  What seemed like a long shot EV project has garnered incredible support, both moral and financial.  My plan is still to convert this to 100% electric over the coming months and then hire it out in some form to the public so they can experience this "new" form of propulsion.  I'm thinking hotel shuttle, proms, weddings and the like.  . . .

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