ON THIS DAY IN 1948

Bruce had his Opel's engine replaced with batteries and motor

- KRIS CULMER

The appeal of an electrified classic

WITH THE BASIC petrol ration having recently been withdrawn (see below), British drivers were left forlornly looking at their cars - but not one Victor Bruce, who had had his pre-war Opel Kadett converted into an electric car by his company Silent Transport.

The engine, clutch and gearbox were removed and sold to defray the cost of the conversion. Then the prop shaft was modified and an electric motor fitted at its head, wired up to batteries in the nose (along with the control) and tail. A socket was added so these could be refilled in his garage by a charger drawing from the mains.

Range, as indicated by a "most ingenious" dial on the dash, was just 40 miles - but this didn't fuss Bruce, as he lived most of his life within 20 of Cobham, Surrey.

"The driver is at first a little disconcerted by the absolute silence and the fact that nothing obvious is working while the car is at a standstill," our man said.