Melbourne-based Jaunt is converting classic Land Rover models into $400k electric powerhouses, attracting wealthy Aussie drivers who want vintage style without the mechanical worry. Dave Budge’s business has created a growing market for re-powered classics that combine 1958 charm with modern reliability.
The Ultimate Barn Find Gets An Electric Makeover
Jaunt’s Land Rover looks like a classic four-wheel-drive that someone pulled from a barn and pressed into service as a daily driver. The 1958 model appears authentically worn with tarnished bodywork and distressed leather seats, but there’s something special lurking beneath the surface.
You won’t catch a whiff of fuel or oil as you approach this cleaner version of the original. The worn patina of the paintwork tells a story, while what appear to be rusty rivets are actually modern hex-head bolts that have been hand-aged to complete the authentic look. Even the gear stalk has been replaced with an elegant selector that wouldn’t look out of place in a plane.
No Rumble, No Problems – Just Pure Electric Power
When you twist the key, there’s no rumble under the bonnet and no puff of soot from the tailpipe. Instead, this converted classic runs on pure electricity, powered by a 55kWh battery pack that sends juice to a 210kW motor.
The power output far exceeds original examples, delivering smooth and linear acceleration around town. Stomp on the throttle and the old Landie will rear up and reel in the horizon unlike any classic off-roader you’ve experienced before.
Modern Tech Meets Vintage Appeal
The driving experience offers a breath of fresh air compared to modern machinery. You feel more like you’re riding a motorcycle – exposed to your surroundings with outstanding 360-degree vision uninterrupted by the fat pillars of contemporary cars.
Modern seatbelts and units replace the originals, while brakes help it stop with more authority than it should. Aussie suspension hardware by ARB and cooling equipment from PWR keep everything in check. The ride might be a little rough, but that’s part of the appeal – this is a re-powered classic rather than one that’s been reimagined.
Hand-Built Excellence Commands Premium Prices
These magnificent examples are hand-built by folks committed to the cause, finished to the exact specifications of each customer. A fully loaded version could cost $400,000 by the time it reaches your driveway, making it a serious investment for the mega-rich.
Sydney’s Classic Throttle Shop currently stocks a plain white version with a couple of hundred kilometres on the odometer for $250,000. While that’s serious money, there are cheaper options available, including an electric conversion kit for the Mini Moke starting around $90,000.
Growing Market of Electric Conversion Specialists
Jaunt isn’t alone in this business. Other Aussie businesses converting classics to run on battery power include Electro Gusto, which has had a crack at German cars including classic Mercedes and Porsches.
Electric Dream Machine does a trade in old Volkswagens, while Traction EV, Electric Car Cafe, and EV-Torque can all convert a classic to run on battery power. This growing network of suppliers shows how the market for electrified vintage cars is expanding rapidly.
The Details That Make the Difference
Jaunt’s details are beautiful in their attention to authenticity. There’s warmth and texture to every surface, from the distressed leather to the carefully aged bodywork. Naturally, there’s no touchscreen, sat nav, or reversing camera – they wouldn’t fit the vibe.
A 3D-printed cupholder represents one of the few concessions to modernity. The seats show no rips or tears despite their aged appearance, proving that modern manufacturing can create the look of decades of use without the actual wear.
Why Electric Beats the Original
Time at the wheel of Jaunt’s electric Land Rover shows exactly why you’d make this swap. An electric conversion delivers all the aesthetic appeal of a classic car with none of the downsides – reliability, complexity, and performance are all improved by the conversion.
Sure, you lose the rumble of an engine. In the case of a crisp Ford V8 or snorting Alfa Romeo, that might be too high a price to pay. But when you’re trading a knackered, rattling old diesel for smooth electric power, that’s more than a fair trade.
Customers Who Never Owned a Classic Before
“The most common customer we have is actually someone who’s never owned a classic car before,” Dave Budge explains. “They’ve always maybe loved them, but they don’t know how to work on engines and they maybe don’t want to.”
These people want all the cool shape and charm and fun without having to get their hands dirty with maintenance. The owner of this converted vehicle gets the best of both worlds – vintage style with modern dependability.
Outstanding Vision and Bike-Like Fun
The little Land Rover feels more like a bike than a car, offering an uninterrupted view of your surroundings. This outstanding visibility comes from the slim profile and lack of modern safety pillars that obstruct vision in contemporary vehicles.
Fuelled by its battery pack rather than traditional fuel, this classic delivers instant torque and acceleration that would shock anyone familiar with original examples. The experience proves that electric power can enhance rather than diminish the appeal of vintage machinery.
