Limited Run Of Customer Cars Planned
Electric conversions of classic cars have become quite popular, but two new firms hope they can still make a mark. U.K.-based Halcyon and Evice Technologies were founded by the same trio of engineers, with Evice focusing on electric powertrain hardware and Halcyon focusing on restomods of classic cars. Together, they plan to offer a limited run of 60 Rolls-Royce and Bentley models with electric powertrains and other modern tech.
The first of those cars makes its public debut at the Concours of Elegance, Hampton Court Palace, scheduled for September 5-7. It’s called “Highland Heather” because of a purple paint job inspired by Scottish heather. Inside, there’s also a new take on the dashboard “gallery” of the modern Rolls-Royce Phantom containing a sculpture inspired by the rivers of the Scottish Highlands. The Scottish theme is a nod to Rolls’ 1907 reliability trials in Scotland.
Bespoke Details, Modern Engineering
Halcyon
The scope for details like these will make each of the 60 EV restomods unique, according to Halcyon. Customers will have the option to fill the dashboard gallery with whatever they want, and will have a wide selection of paint colors and interior materials to choose from, as well as cleaner-looking bumpers, new headlights, and non-stock wheel designs to update the exterior a bit.
Each build starts out as a Rolls-Royce Corniche or Silver Shadow, or the badge-engineered Bentley Corniche and Bentley T-Series versions, respectively. The conversions boosts output to 500 horsepower—much more than stock—and adds adaptive damping. An 800-volt electrical architecture should ensure quick charging, with two battery options. The standard version with front and rear packs is estimated at 250 miles of range, while an optional third pack provides 300 miles of range.
Inside, the conversion adds a concealable infotainment head unit to persevere the vintage appearance of the interior, while incorporating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Other modern conveniences include a rearview camera and updated climate control and audio systems.
Costs As Much As A New Rolls
Halcyon
Builds will start at 420,000 British pounds, not including the cost of a donor vehicle (which can be sourced for customers on request). That’s about $565,000 at current exchange rates, which is about the average transaction price of a new Rolls-Royce. And it’s more than the roughly $420,000 starting price of the only electric Rolls you can buy from the factory—the Spectre coupe. It does buy exclusivity, though, which is a bit ironic given that the Corniche and Silver Shadow are among the most common Rolls models.
Each build requires more than 2,000 hours of labor and takes 12 months to complete. So while Halcyon is taking deposits, and plans to start building additional cars in the fourth quarter of 2025, deliveries aren’t expected to begin until Q4 2026. But for well-heeled customers who want a classic car without all the attendant inconveniences, it may be worth the wait.
