Inhabitat » TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: Neil Young’s Classic Hybrid

December 4, 2007

TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: Neil Young’s Classic Hybrid

by Jorge Chapa

lincoln, neil young, hybrid, biodiesel, linc-volt, documentary, transportation, car mark IV

Classic cars are beautiful, extremely well-designed works of engineering, but, unfortunately, are also often gas guzzlers and heavy greenhouse-gas emitters because of their antiquated engines. But Neil Young of “Heart of Gold” fame has decided to transform his classic 1960s Lincoln Continental Mark IV convertible from a regular vehicle to a fabulously efficient hybrid vehicle.

Neil Young’s move may shock some car collectors, but the eco-challenges facing the planet require new ways of looking at the old. In fact, Neil Young is filming a documentary to showcase the process and hopes to raise awareness of the available technology and performance of hybrids in mainstream America. After all, what could be more American than turning something classic into something new? Jonathan Goodwin of H-Line Conversions will perform the Lincoln Mark IV’s transformation. The electric-biodiesel vehicle is expected to achieve around 100 miles per gallon.

+ Gas guzzlers get new lives - as tire-smoking hybrids

lincoln, neil young, hybrid, biodiesel, linc-volt, documentary, transportation, car mark IV

6 Responses to “TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY: Neil Young’s Classic Hybrid”

Justin Anthony Says:

December 4th, 2007 at 2:21 pm

The car is a ‘59.

db burns Says:

December 5th, 2007 at 1:38 pm

I’ve been day dreaming about doing something similar for years. Forget what the collectors think - a modernized version of an old car is cool.

Christopher P. Says:

December 5th, 2007 at 2:16 pm

Somewhere between early 1950’s and late 1960’s, there was a failure to innovate in the American auto industry, simply because they were the hogs at the trough, so to speak. It doesn’t matter when the Lincoln was made in that era, Justin. The key concepts here are: Biodiesel. Hybrid-electric. Retrofitted to existing technology. So, if it takes 5 years for a “new” model car to get into production, why aren’t there biodiesel hybrid-electric production vehicles out on the road NOW, “leaders” of Ford, GM, Chrysler? If some geezer rock-n-roll musician who plays with toy trains can get with it, why can’t you?

Ryan Enschede Says:

December 9th, 2007 at 5:57 pm

Neil is the best. Do you think Bob Dylan has one of these?

amy lou Says:

December 9th, 2007 at 9:38 pm

OF COURSE, cuz Neil rules…he rules at everything.

James Says:

December 10th, 2007 at 3:34 am

Why not do a hydrogen powerplant instead. You can actually set up big blocks to produce even more power than gas-powered equivalents, and if you’ve got a big enough house you can actually produce enough hydrogen for your commute at home with solar power.

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