Everrati 911 Cabrio is the first electric convertible

Future-proofing classic motors by swapping petrol power for electric motors has been quietly bubbling away for a few years now, but even among the ranks of clean, green, classic restomods, convertibles are rare. The car you see here – a wide-body Porsche 911 Cabrio of the 964 generation ­– is claimed to be the first of its kind in the world.

It comes from Oxfordshire-based Everrati which has been in the classic-car “future-proofing” business since 2019, turning out electrically-powered conversions of the Land Rover Series IIA, Mercedes SL Pagoda, Ford GT40 replica, and coupe and targa versions of 964-gen porkers – hence the move to complete the 911 set with the new cabrio.

Everrati says with this convertible as its other electric 964s, the (reversible) heart transplant op keeps the car true to 911 ethos, so you get a hefty electric motor in the tail driving the rear wheels. No word on what lift-off handling characteristics we can expect, but Everrati says the driving character of a petrol 911 of this era is maintained. The battery used is a 62kWh unit said to be good for 200 miles of range.

There are a couple of power options but the headline model gets 493PS (373kW) – twice the power of a 964 original – with 500Nm (369lb ft) of torque. Everrati says 0-62mph comes up in under 4.0 seconds.

Proper 911 performance then, even if it won’t have the signature air-cooled 911 roar, and proper 911 looks thanks to the use of an original 964 convertible chassis and body as donor. It’s all fully restored, sans exhaust pipes and with a few neat electric-car aesthetic touches, like the LED headlights, but it definitely doesn’t shout its EV credentials.

No weight is mentioned but the company has in the past said the coupe version’s front and rear wings, bonnet, roof and doors are replaced by carbon-fibre parts to keep weight down – one reason the conversions come at quite a price.

Development work is said to have been done in the UK but in collaboration with US low-volume vehicle specialists Aria Group which will be turning out the converted models in California for the US market.

Everrati Chief Executive Justin Lunny says the 911 Cabrio EV was a natural step because convertible electric sportscars are so scarce. “We are proud to have created a cutting-edge convertible EV above and beyond what mainstream manufacturers are delivering,” he tells us. “Our customers can enjoy state-of-the-art EV power and convertible thrills in truly sustainable, 21^st Century style.”

Hood down, foot down, zero emissions and all-seasons practicality? Could be. But at some cost. No specific price is quoted for the cabriolet 911 but in the past the talk has been of £250,000 – and that’s plus the cost of a donor vehicle.