That’s why they call it “Retro Electro”. These days it’s relatively straightforward to build a hot rod. The template’s been honed and perfected over the decades. There are powerful V8 “crate” motors ready to drop in.
The gang at Toronto’s Steam Whistle Brewery went the other way — several thousand miles the other way. They fashioned a hot rod that can burn rubber, but with a sophisticated and powerful AC electric drivetrain vehicle, complete with a computer-controlled lithium ion phosphate battery back.
Don’t know if you've been looking, but they don’t stock powertrains like that for 1958 Chevrolet Apache Pickups — it required more brainpower than elbow grease.
But before we get to the “how,” let’s first find out the “why”.
Responsibilities
Steam Whistle prides itself on being one of the greenest companies in Canada. One of the brewery’s co-founders, Greg Taylor, says environmental responsibility is part of the Steam Whistle brand. Some of the companies initiatives include: thicker beer bottles, which can be re-used more often; running the plant on renewable electricity (via Bullfrog Power Inc.), and running its delivery trucks with B20 bio fuel.
But the firm also has a responsibility to be happy — to be a great, fun place to work. Taylor says that entails listening to employees, and allowing them to shape the company. The fun factor is also boosted by the funky surroundings (the brewery is located in “The Roundhouse,” part of a railway heritage centre), and by running a fleet of eclectic and vintage vehicles. Consider the ‘57 Chevy Pickup called “Grumpy,” the ‘64 Jeep Wagoneer called “Grand Verde,” and the ‘56 Dodge Fargo van called “Chuckles”. There's more, but we need to get to “Retro Electro”.
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| Photo: Mike Goetz/Auto123.com |
The gang at Toronto’s Steam Whistle Brewery went the other way — several thousand miles the other way. They fashioned a hot rod that can burn rubber, but with a sophisticated and powerful AC electric drivetrain vehicle, complete with a computer-controlled lithium ion phosphate battery back.
Don’t know if you've been looking, but they don’t stock powertrains like that for 1958 Chevrolet Apache Pickups — it required more brainpower than elbow grease.
But before we get to the “how,” let’s first find out the “why”.
Responsibilities
Steam Whistle prides itself on being one of the greenest companies in Canada. One of the brewery’s co-founders, Greg Taylor, says environmental responsibility is part of the Steam Whistle brand. Some of the companies initiatives include: thicker beer bottles, which can be re-used more often; running the plant on renewable electricity (via Bullfrog Power Inc.), and running its delivery trucks with B20 bio fuel.
But the firm also has a responsibility to be happy — to be a great, fun place to work. Taylor says that entails listening to employees, and allowing them to shape the company. The fun factor is also boosted by the funky surroundings (the brewery is located in “The Roundhouse,” part of a railway heritage centre), and by running a fleet of eclectic and vintage vehicles. Consider the ‘57 Chevy Pickup called “Grumpy,” the ‘64 Jeep Wagoneer called “Grand Verde,” and the ‘56 Dodge Fargo van called “Chuckles”. There's more, but we need to get to “Retro Electro”.
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| Photo: Steam Whistle |