Well, perhaps you wouldn’t want to exactly switch over some of the above mentioned classics into electric vehicles… but you could!

While plug-in electric vehicles are not much of a revelation these days, many people are detracted from them by their high cost and relatively few manufacturers who are making the conversions. While the newer and improved batteries are still reserved for certain newer hybrids currently in production or soon to be, there are still plenty of conversions using older technology. These are still plenty effective in saving you money, as well as the planet.

While electric cars have not gone into mainstream production as such, entrepreneurs and hobbyists have been perfecting kits for electric conversions and you might be surprised at the number of converted electrics you have driving around in your area that you would have never guessed.

These kits range from $5,000 on up to $15,000 for a full conversion, but if you are talking about using one on a 1984 V6 Camaro, you would be well below the cost of buying a brand new Hybrid from scratch. Try as much as $25,000 below is many cases.

Basically how it works is the gasoline engine and drivetrain are pulled from the and replaced with an all new electric drivetrain and motor. Yes, it is true that todays technology has developed newer battery prototypes that last 250-plus miles and charge completely in less than 10 minutes, but the older technology is usually appropriate for most daily commutes of say 50 to 100 miles.

Compared to the average $200 to $300 per month most of us are paying for gas, $5,000 could be paid off is just over 2 years, and that’s not adjusting for any future increases in gas prices. Some folks have even offered the advantage of converting a newer high priced vehicle to make its monthly payments more affordable, as you will be able to spend an extra $200 to $300 that you would not have normally not had for the month.

Porsche 911 GT2 (0-60 in 12 seconds), here we come!

While we certainly wouldn’t recommend defacing a Porsche 911 GT2, there are a lot of practical cars that would be perfect for this technology. Here is an example of a Porsche 912 electric conversion in the process:

The following is a short list of companies doing such conversions. Do a search on Google, you just might have one in your own hometown.

The Green Shed Conversions (http://greenshedconversions.com/default.aspx), Fort Pierce, Florida

Rocky Mountain Motor sports Fabrication http://www.rockmonstermotorsports.com/), Las Vegas, Nevada

Ampmobile Conversions (http://www.rockmonstermotorsports.com/) Lake Wylie, South Carolina

While certainly afraid, the Ford Mustang is anything but counted out of the upcoming muscle car war. If anything (even though we love the HEMI as much as the next guy), Dodge is most likely the odd man out. The Camaro has its eyes on taking over the show, and they appear to be set on popping the balloons of the mighty Mustang.

How might they plan on doing this? Well, let’s take a look at some possibilities!

First of all, Ford has been said to be considering pulling their famed 5.0 (that’s five-point-O) to those too young to remember that horrible 90’s song by Vanilla Ice. The 5.0 liter would replace the current 4.6 liter and allow its engine to better stand up to the Camaro’s big 6.0 liter V8.

This would number one, enable the base GT to reach at least 350 horsepower, which is pivotal to keeping up with the Camaro’s rumored 403. Number two, this would then allow Mustang to dust off their 302 badge that has been sitting around the shop collecting dust and put a legitimate version out on the marketplace.

There is even talk of a 5.7 liter “BOSS” that would put the Mustang even closer to Camaro territory.

Sure plenty of folks have put the infamous 302 badging on their Mustang for nostalgia purposes and some dealers have even offered the “BOSS” package as an aesthetic upgrade, but with just the 285 under the hood, it has been as pitiful as a V6 mustang making itself a clone of the GT.

The Mustang is also due for an overall body upgrade, which just might be a new front end that will simulate the headlights more like the infamous early 70’s Boss Mustangs. There is also rumor that the 2010 Mustang will take on a few of the design components of the Giugiaro Concept… which obviously has taken some of the cues of the Camaro and rounded out the body and rid itself of all that straight sheet metal and aluminum.

As far as the high selling V6 base Mustang goes, the aging 4.0 liter is just going to have to go, and the 3.7 liter V6 is the most obvious candidate. The 3.7 would be capable of tuning to 300 horsepower, which would put it in the range of the base Camaro… along with a 6-speed drivetrain.

And for those who have been complaining about the Mustang’s hard plastic interior, you can probably bet that they will be updating to higher quality materials to rid itself once and for all of that big hairy monkey that has been on its back for three years now!

Chevy has been keeping the unveiling of the 2010 Camaro very much on a need to know basis. We have heard rumors of everything from a hybrid version of the Camaro to a 4 cylinder. As it stands today, the latest word from the Motor Trend Blog is that the 4 cylinder idea had been dropped for now, as well as even the lower powered 6 cylinder base.

It looks like Chevrolet is really going for the throat of both Dodge and Ford and all we can say is that we hope they themselves have a few tricks waiting up their sleeve..

The three engines that have been chosen (most likely) are the 3.6 liter V6, the 6.0 liter LS3 (the same as found in the current Pontiac G8), and finally a supercharged version that will surely give the Ford Shelby 500KR a run for all its lunch money and then a black eye for handing it over too quickly!

The V6 (high output from the Cadillac CTS) base would have approximately 300 horsepower, which is likely to be in the current Mustang GT territory. Especially if geared right. The opening price of the base Mustang is looking to be in the range of $23,000, which has caught some slack from enthusiasts who are still stuck on the Ford Mustang V6… which is happy to say, yet a whole other technological beast.

The 6.0 liter V8 Camaro will have a fitting 403 horsepower which could definitely see its 0-60’s in the low 4 second range. Now the supercharged V8 is looking to have a legitimate 500-plus horsepower and a sticker price to match, which would put it over $50,000, which has also gotten a lot of enthusiasts panties in a bunch.

This is of course just to set the Camaro off in style. After these three are released there is talk of a hybrid to eventually squeeze itself in the lineup as well as maybe even the much rumored turbo 4 cylinder (doubtful, but possible)… we’d put out money on the hybrid before the 4 banger.

An economical Camaro would almost need to be part of the packaging someday with the trend the automotive industry. Chevy already has its performance oriented Corvette and the Camaro has always been the sports car for the average folk, and the average folk are going to be looking into saving money in the coming year!

One thing is for sure, and that is the Chevy Camaro is no longer just a dream. It is actually in full swing of production, and we could be seeing these on the streets in less than a year.

“Eek, that’s soon”, says the Ford Mustang as it stands quivering in a puddle of radiator fluid…