Tesla-Powered 1972 Plymouth Impresses Rich Rebuilds
Rich Benoit gets behind the wheel of a Tesla-powered 1972 Plymouth Satellite “Electrolite.”
Rich Rebuilds‘ most recent video is a very special treat. The YouTube channel takes a break from Rich Benoit’s projects to feature a one-of-a-kind Tesla-powered 1972 Plymouth Satellite in its latest episode. The car in question is also the winner of Holley High Voltage’s “Best In Show” title. Rich Benoit and Steven Salowsky join Kevin Erickson, the proud owner, and builder of this one-off electric Plymouth Satellite Electrolite.
“So why did you decide to do it?” asked Benoit. “Uh, I just needed to learn something new. I built uh turbo cars and muscle cars, and uh I started with Holley Carburetors and EFI and everything, and this was the next thing. I just had to learn how to do it,” explains Erickson.
Erickson admits that electrifying the two-door version of a 1970s Plymouth Satellite was a controversial choice as these muscle cars are appreciating classics. However, in our opinion, the final result is absolutely awesome. In addition to a custom pushrod suspension setup, the Plymouth Electrolite also gets a Tesla Model S motor assembly and subframe.
Oceanside, California-based EV solutions company Stealth EV supplied the 100-kilowatt battery pack that propels this Tesla-powered 1972 Plymouth.
We find ten battery modules under the hood of this electric muscle car, and the remaining six are stashed away in the trunk. As a result, Erickson claims that the weight distribution and, therefore, the handling of the Electrolite has improved dramatically.
An Orion BMS2 battery management system also sits in the trunk of Erickson’s Electrolite. The battery-only muscle car can complete the quarter-mile run in around 12.4 seconds. At the front, Project Electrolite rides on a pair of 19-inch American Racing wheels, whereas the rear sits on 20-inch rims. Furthermore, 275- and 285- section Nitto tires envelop the wheels, respectively.
“I think I can squeeze 300 (miles) on a full charge in easy driving,” claims Erickson.
The car gets a slew of creature comforts, including an HVAC system, heated seats, and power windows. In my opinion, the piece de resistance of this ensemble is its pop-up License plate which houses the charging port and sports a vanity frame that says “Charger.”
Image Source: Kevin Erickson