1965 BMW 700 CS EV Conversion Heading To Auction, Could Fetch Over $31,000

The classic German two-door coupe went through a complete restoration a few years ago.

By: Iulian Dnistran

Aug 24, 2023 at 4:38am ET

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An EV-converted, right-hand drive 1964 BMW 700 CS is heading to action today on CarAndClassic.com after going through a full bare-metal body restoration in 2020.

The 700 was built between 1959 and 1965 and saw sales of over 188,000 units worldwide, but a right-hand drive one in good condition is a pretty rare occurrence in the United Kingdom. Add the fact that this particular example is an all-electric one, and you have the recipe for an interesting conversation starter, at least if you go to the places where EV-loving, BMW enthusiasts go to wind down.

With a BMW Classic certificate under its belt, this white 700 CS got an EV conversion at eDub Services in Yorkshire in 2021 using a Net Gain HyPer 9 motor but retaining the original four-speed manual transmission.

Gallery: 1964 BMW 700 CS EV Conversion - CarAndClassic Auction Photos

The setup has no clutch, so the driver needs to think ahead of the journey, selecting a suitable gear before driving away: the first gear is seldom used, the second gear has a limited top speed but perkier acceleration, while the third is a sort of all-purpose driving mode, thanks to the electric motor’s generous torque. Fourth gear is reserved for high-speed driving such as on the highway, where the 70 miles per hour top speed can be achieved.

A driving range of up to 100 miles is provided by a set of 10 LG Chem cells which offer 26 kilowatt-hours of energy and which can be recharged at up to 6.6 kW via the integrated Type 2 socket.

Imported from South Africa in 2018, the converted German classic got an interior makeover which saw the seats being retrimmed and the carpets and headlining replaced, with the only tell-tale sign of its electric powertrain being the centrally mounted Orion BMS power meter that shows the remaining range in 10 percent increments.

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The car comes with its original manuals and certificates, as well as the maintenance history from its time in the UK, and is tax-exempt, MOT-exempt, and ULEZ-compliant.

“UK-registered BMW 700s are far from commonplace, and this example is unique amongst them,” said Dale Vinten, Head of Editorial at Car & Classic. “Small, nimble, and emissions-free, this BMW represents a rare opportunity to own a very usable and unique vehicle.”

According to CarAndClassic, this restored and EV-converted BMW 700 CS could fetch over $31,700 (£25,000) at auction.