KFVS TV Throttle Thursday: 1957 Porsche 356 Electric Speedster

Tonight, we bring back an old friend, a Full-Throttle Thursday, and you've got a pretty neat car to show us. Yeah, this one was a lot of fun. I still get asked about car stories all the time.

Tonight, this car, I have to say, was really impressive. Jack Rickard's 1957 Porsche Speedster is quite unique. It's an impressive combination of the past and the future.

This replica is a glimpse into Porsche's history. It's got the Porsche swagger. It's got the Porsche color.

But one thing it doesn't have is the Porsche engine. In fact, when Jack pulls it out of the garage, listen closely. You don't hear a thing, because this car is totally electric.

Well, I've wanted to make an electric car for 30 years. The problem's the batteries, and have been for over 100 years. These 3.6-volt lithium-ion cells are what powers the car.

They're about four times more expensive than lead-acid batteries. Jack says he needed about $12,000 worth to make the Porsche go. Fork nine, electric motor, DC series motor, 9-inch.

And 72 batteries. Yes. 72 cells.

Cells, right. 18 what you would think of as batteries. But are they worth the extra cost? Jack says you bet.

This car will go 100 miles. And had I done it in lead-acid, that would be about 25 miles. When I got it out on the road, I have to say I was very impressed.

It's as quiet as a mouse. It has a four-speed transmission, but I never had to get out of third gear. I could start and stop in that gear.

And I'll repeat Jack's own words. This isn't an overblown golf cart. When we finished this car, I was stunned.

It does about a seven-second zero to 60. It'll go 85 miles an hour. And it drives a lot better than the car we started with.

And without all the noise, never mind that going to the gas station. They're fun to drive. Jack put better brakes on it to handle the extra weight of the batteries.

And as we tool past gas stations, you may wonder about the cost. This car will travel 100 miles on a charge. Jack charges it every day at the cost of about 50 cents a day.

The batteries will last about 10 years. To charge it, simply plug it in or unplug it and go. So could this be the type of car we'd drive into the future? I think if people knew about these cars, it would be over.

I love that car. I must have it. Did you tell him that? No.

Jack, give me your car, please. In fact, he was so impressed with the way that turned out that he bought a modern car. He got a Mini Cooper that's got air conditioning and the modern amenities.

And they're going to convert that one to electricity as well. Oh, and the color of that car is kind of different. Yeah, those are just beautiful designs.