Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ever wonder what it takes to turn a classic car into a fully electric one? In this episode of Shop Talk, we go inside Current, the LA shop building custom EVs out of iconic classics.
From a copper 1959 Chevy Apache to a Datsun and an off-road electric race buggy, Current swaps gas engines for custom electric powertrains without losing what makes these vehicles special.
Check out Current:
current-la.com
instagram.com/current.losangeles
tiktok.com/@current.losangeles
In this episode, we go behind the scenes to:
- Hear how Current got started and why they build electric conversions of classic cars
- Get up close with standout builds, including a 1959 Chevrolet Apache, a Hummer H1, a Datsun, a Jeep Gladiator, and a Turntide electric race buggy
- See how a classic gets its new heart: electric motor and drive unit, custom battery packs, and high-voltage power electronics
- Watch the team lay out a custom high-voltage wiring harness and map the whole system on the whiteboard
- Look over the engineers' shoulders as they design brackets and battery trays in Autodesk Fusion
- Get under the car to see how the electric drivetrain and chassis come together
- Tour the full operation — the R&D and electronics lab, the fabrication shop, and the CNC machine shop
If you're into electric vehicles, classic cars, fabrication, or just love seeing how things are built, this episode is for you.
Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome to Current
0:50 – How Current got started
3:20 – Inside a build: EV powertrain & wiring
6:40 – Battery packs & power electronics
7:20 – Designing the parts in Autodesk Fusion
8:20 – R&D lab & the engineering team
11:00 – Shop-floor tour: the project cars
13:20 – The Hummer H1 & the '59 Chevy Apache
17:40 – Convertibles & off-road EV builds
20:00 – The Turntide electric race buggy
21:40 – Fabrication shop: welding & metalwork
23:20 – Inside the CNC machine shop
25:10 – Wrap-up & thanks
#ElectricVehicle #EVConversion #ClassicCars #Restomod #AutodeskFusion #ShopTalk #CurrentLA #Fabrication #CarBuild
►FREE TRIAL | https://autode.sk/3Wtfi20
►SUBSCRIBE | https://autode.sk/30njGGX
►GET STARTED | https://autode.sk/30k2DWh
►TRY AN EXTENSION | https://autode.sk/3EOUidW
CONNECT with Fusion on social media:
INSTAGRAM | https://autode.sk/2Enzh8P
TWITTER | https://autode.sk/45cIYTK
LINKEDIN | https://autode.sk/3UyieZS
FACEBOOK | https://autode.sk/3WaaZLb
Ever wonder what it takes to turn a classic car into a fully electric one? In this episode of Shop Talk, we go inside Current, the LA shop building custom EVs out of iconic classics.
From a copper 1959 Chevy Apache to a Datsun and an off-road electric race buggy, Current swaps gas engines for custom electric powertrains without losing what makes these vehicles special.
Check out Current:
current-la.com
instagram.com/current.losangeles
tiktok.com/@current.losangeles
In this episode, we go behind the scenes to:
- Hear how Current got started and why they build electric conversions of classic cars
- Get up close with standout builds, including a 1959 Chevrolet Apache, a Hummer H1, a Datsun, a Jeep Gladiator, and a Turntide electric race buggy
- See how a classic gets its new heart: electric motor and drive unit, custom battery packs, and high-voltage power electronics
- Watch the team lay out a custom high-voltage wiring harness and map the whole system on the whiteboard
- Look over the engineers' shoulders as they design brackets and battery trays in Autodesk Fusion
- Get under the car to see how the electric drivetrain and chassis come together
- Tour the full operation — the R&D and electronics lab, the fabrication shop, and the CNC machine shop
If you're into electric vehicles, classic cars, fabrication, or just love seeing how things are built, this episode is for you.
Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome to Current
0:50 – How Current got started
3:20 – Inside a build: EV powertrain & wiring
6:40 – Battery packs & power electronics
7:20 – Designing the parts in Autodesk Fusion
8:20 – R&D lab & the engineering team
11:00 – Shop-floor tour: the project cars
13:20 – The Hummer H1 & the '59 Chevy Apache
17:40 – Convertibles & off-road EV builds
20:00 – The Turntide electric race buggy
21:40 – Fabrication shop: welding & metalwork
23:20 – Inside the CNC machine shop
25:10 – Wrap-up & thanks
#ElectricVehicle #EVConversion #ClassicCars #Restomod #AutodeskFusion #ShopTalk #CurrentLA #Fabrication #CarBuild
►FREE TRIAL | https://autode.sk/3Wtfi20
►SUBSCRIBE | https://autode.sk/30njGGX
►GET STARTED | https://autode.sk/30k2DWh
►TRY AN EXTENSION | https://autode.sk/3EOUidW
CONNECT with Fusion on social media:
INSTAGRAM | https://autode.sk/2Enzh8P
TWITTER | https://autode.sk/45cIYTK
LINKEDIN | https://autode.sk/3UyieZS
FACEBOOK | https://autode.sk/3WaaZLb
