The debate rages on. Purists argue that the engine is the car. Pragmatists argue that if the car is undriveable, it is useless.
"We preserve the body, why not evolve the heart?"
For many enthusiasts, the heart of a classic car is its engine. The smell of gasoline, the vibration, the noise—it all adds up to an experience that is visceral and mechanical. Replacing that with an electric motor might seem like ripping the soul out of the machine. But is it? Or is it simply a transplant that allows the body to live on?
The silence of the electric motor reveals other sounds: the wind, the tires, the suspension working.
On the other hand, reliability is a massive factor. Classic cars are notorious for breaking down. Electric drivetrains offer a "turn key and go" reliability that could make these beautiful machines daily drivers rather than garage queens. Imagine driving a Jaguar E-Type to work every day without fear of overheating.