I must say, I have been very surprised by the media attention I have received from the simple story that a friend at the Anchorage Daily News wrote over the summer.

Now it seems the article has been featured on many prominent websites, as well as several newspapers throughout the United States. As I read through comments on these webpages, I'm glad to see most people are very positive, and have mostly words of support.

Now the bad news: Unfortunately, I have school to contend with, so I haven't been able to keep the blog updated too much, nor work on the car to the extent that I would like. However, with my running season coming to a close, my weekends and afternoons should be a bit more free, leaving me with a little more time to focus on the project, as well as documenting it for everyone via LiveJournal.

If you are interested in knowing anything more about the car, please feel free to ask specific questions! I will respond to any comment you send as soon as I find some free time, but in the meantime, please be patient, and wish me luck!

Thanks.

My interior parts came in today, so the inside of my vehicle should look much improved once I get it in.

I was unaware until yesterday that the article in the Anchorage Daily News was also printed in The Sun Chronicle in Massachusetts and the The Post & Courier in Charleston, SC (oddly enough, I have family in both these locations...). Anyhow, welcome to any non-Alaskan readers.


A brief update:

I realized I never posted my video on here when I got the car moving a while ago. Check it out on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsTG-My8xrA. It was a very exciting day.

Now, I have temporary battery boxes built, the batteries are in the car, and I have most of the high-current wiring in place at the moment. In addition, I have the controller, motor, shunt, charger, main contactor, and circuit breaker in and ready to go.

More news to come...

I just realized that a photo similar photo as the ones I just posted are already below and have been posted.

However, I did not mount that part properly - meaning, what is mounted now is different, and much improved.

Well, I have the motor ready to go, with everything in place and bolted on and prepared to be jacked up and mounted onto the transmission. I just need to find myself a transmission jack, now...

What does this mean? Well, I believe I should be able to test the motor while it's in the vehicle once I get the motor mounted in. Hopefully it spins!

Welcome to everyone who saw the article in today's Perfect World. I'm glad you came.

Feel free to have a look around. A new update should be coming tonight, along with some information on the progress on the car, which should be cleared of its first major obstacle either tonight or this weekend.

Feel free to contact me with any questions, or just check back from time to time.

Summer's well under way, and I'm finally getting my act together by updating my blog.

I finally received my motor adaptor (the part that mounts the transmission and electric motor together) about a week and a half ago. However, the company I ordered from had some difficulties with shipping - they forgot to ship 2 vital parts. I contacted them, and they are now under way, but it but a bit of a damper on my work.

In addition, I forgot to post photos before of the new and improved floors. They can be seen below.

If you think you'd like to help out with the project, the best way to do so would be to make a tax-deductible contribution. In order to finish the project and buy the remaining necessary parts, I still need to raise some money. Please view the form here.

I came home today to find, waiting in the garage a small pallet

Inside were pretty much all the parts I would need for my conversion. In addition, I joined the EV Discussion List last night, expecting to get a little bit of help in finding an adaptor plate for my car, as the one I got is not proper for a VW. Well, I posted an ad, and I got about 5-7 responses within 24 hours, in addition to 130+ total e-mails. I was amazed. What else? Matt says the vehicle is ready to be picked up from KCC, with new floors and everything. I'll post photos as soon as I get it home.

Current Music: Tupac

Matt has informed me that the rear storage... thing is in place, and should be able to hold up to 200 pounds, more than enough for 3 batteries.

My parts, which I thought would be delivered tomorrow or Wednesday, actually just entered the country today. They should be on a barge on Friday, to be here next Tuesday or Wednesday. I can deal with that.

In addition, I ordered an adaptor plate from EVParts.com, for the price of $650 + ($15.82 estimated shipping).

Total costs:

Car: $500
DVDs: $144.60
Kit: $3,500
Shipping: Unknown, ~$220
Customs Broker: Unknown
Adaptor: ~$665.82

Total Cost to Date: ~$5,030.42
Total Contributions to Date: $550.00
Possible Upcoming Grant: $2,500

I'm planning a carwash to raise some money this weekend (hopefully), and will be getting an account set up with the Parent Group so I can legally acquire donations from the general public.

Current Music: Lazy Sunday (Chronicles of Narnia) - SNL