Adopting A Unicorn

[jray3]

http://karmanneclectric.blogspot.com/2016/08/adopting-unicorn.html

One-owner 1983 Mazda RX7 GSL Aztec Gold Electric Vehicle Conversion
Built by an electrical engineer and driven daily for 18 years.
2 year old flooded lead-acid battery pack
Vehicle Garaged and rain-tight
All systems in good working order.
FREE TO A GOOD HOME

Yup, and now it is mine. Having passed muster as a worthy adoptive father to this antique love child, I brought it home to the genuine surprise of my wife, who couldn't believe that someone would give away such a beauty. But then of course, she's never tried to sell a unique but low value used car on Craigslist, inviting all sorts of unsavory time wasters to your inner sanctum....

Vital stats are a 108V battery pack, Curtis 1231 controller, 9: ADC motor, high quality workmanship.
The top-of-the-line GSL included a limited slip differential, steel sunroof (with good seals and drains that aren't clogged), electric windows and solenoid-actuated hatch and filler door release, along with a leather interior and unique aluminum alloy wheels.

The jury's still out on how healthy the battery pack is and whether it'll make my round-trip commute, but it'll definitely be a fun errand-runner and show car. It also fits into my Karmann-Ghia sized car trailer, and most of all, it was ready to roll! No work needed, it can simply be driven leisurely and gradually upgraded over time. :mrgreen:
Still needs a name, all nominations will be considered.

 

[Phximiev]

We-Be-Free! :mrgreen:

Nice acquisition!

 

[JoeS]

Lovely! When the time comes to switch to lithiums and the ~60% battery weight reduction you'll have an even peppier toy. Pity no regen. Won't be holding my breath for your present range number, but it'll make a nice runabout. Still thinking about a suitable name...

 

[Malm]

What a finding! I would buy it too, without thinking twice. If it was mine, I would name it arrow.

 

[jray3]

If it was mine, I would name it arrow.

Hmmm, I like it Malm; JRAY's Golden Arrow. Somewhat suggestive though, and though the car deserves a driver who looks like this;

the wife won't let me grow a ****stache because I'd look too much like....

 

[Phximiev]

How's the Unicorn doing?

 

[jray3]

Doing great! Those dormant lead-acid batteries hadn't been charged past 50% in over a year, but they've awakened well. I haven't done a real range test yet, and probably won't till spring, as I'm using it mainly as a local errand runner and fair-weather commuter, but am confident of 30 miles on the 18 x 6 volters that had an original max range of 40 miles. The J1772 adaptor box from Tuscon EV has worked flawlessly on multiple EVSE brands, energizing a Manzanita Micro PFC20 charger that I replaced the old K&W with. Having "JRAY's Golden Arrow" in service helps to keep MR BEAN on maximum mileage duty, as the 3.3 kW charger crimps our turnaround time if I don't leave it on charge and run errands instead, and I haven't done DCFC in a month due to multiple equipment failures locally on Blink, Nissan, EVGO, and GreenLots-branded CHAdeMO stations. It's just about worse for fast charging around Seattle right now than it was during the Blink Bankruptcy in 2013.

Back on topic, the somewhat unexpected hazard is parts availability, especially for interior plastics, electrical switches, weatherstripping, etc.; those things that you replace only after 30 years of use. The last catalog vendor dedicated to the early RX-7 is going out of business this month, so it's looking like not much more than EBay for parts, which takes a lot more sleuthing time than having a trusted vendor.