Classic cars are beautiful, extremely well-designed works of engineering, but, unfortunately, are also often gas guzzlers and heavy greenhouse-gas emitters because of their antiquated engines. But Neil Young of “Heart of Gold” fame has decided to transform his classic 1960s Lincoln Continental Mark IV convertible from a regular vehicle to a fabulously efficient hybrid vehicle.
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Neil Young’s move may shock some car collectors, but the eco-challenges facing the planet require new ways of looking at the old. In fact, Neil Young is filming a documentary to showcase the process and hopes to raise awareness of the available technology and performance of hybrids in mainstream America. After all, what could be more American than turning something classic into something new? Jonathan Goodwin of H-Line Conversions will perform the Lincoln Mark IV’s transformation. The electric-biodiesel vehicle is expected to achieve around 100 miles per gallon.
+ Gas guzzlers get new lives – as tire-smoking hybrids
The car is a ’59.
I’ve been day dreaming about doing something similar for years. Forget what the collectors think – a modernized version of an old car is cool.
Somewhere between early 1950′s and late 1960′s, there was a failure to innovate in the American auto industry, simply because they were the hogs at the trough, so to speak. It doesn’t matter when the Lincoln was made in that era, Justin. The key concepts here are: Biodiesel. Hybrid-electric. Retrofitted to existing technology. So, if it takes 5 years for a “new” model car to get into production, why aren’t there biodiesel hybrid-electric production vehicles out on the road NOW, “leaders” of Ford, GM, Chrysler? If some geezer rock-n-roll musician who plays with toy trains can get with it, why can’t you?
Neil is the best. Do you think Bob Dylan has one of these?
OF COURSE, cuz Neil rules…he rules at everything.
Why not do a hydrogen powerplant instead. You can actually set up big blocks to produce even more power than gas-powered equivalents, and if you’ve got a big enough house you can actually produce enough hydrogen for your commute at home with solar power.
this comment is for james please send me information or links to sites on the hows and cost to go about doing your suggestion id be interested in knowing im restoring 2 classic vehicles and im looking for a more logical alternative to make the car run other than current gas so any help or guidance you or any other reader may give would be grateful