Larel Wil 202 - Rare Early Fiat Panda Electric Prototype created in Switzerland

Price: - Item location: Chermignon, Switzerland
Description:

1985 Fiat Panda / Larel Wil 202 Electric Prototype

1990 Larel Wil 202 (Fiat Panda based) by LARAG factory electric conversion.
A very rare car who played an important role in the development of the first EV incentive laws.
The Larel Wil 202 is a project made by the Swiss company LARAG (still active today) in the mid 1980s.
They took an early Fiat Panda and converted them to electric power.They were handmade and considered as experimental prototypes rather than actual production cars (later Fiat will produce their own Panda Elettra based on this idea). The exact number of unit made is unknown. They were sold in switzerland as normal (yet electric) cars with regular papers.
The Larel was made famous by the band A-Ha and the environmentalist Frederic Hauge.
The band A-ha gained international fame with their hit "Take On Me" in the mid-1980s, which brought them into contact with Norwegian environmentalist Frederic Hauge. In 1989, Hauge saw a prototype EV called the Larel Will 202, based on a Fiat Panda, and imported it to Norway.
The odd EV was classified there as a motorhome to evade registration fees.Hauge, along with A-ha, challenged Norway's road tolls system by repeatedly driving through toll gates and refusing to pay fines.Their actions caught media attention and pressure mounted on the government to exempt EVs from tolls and registration fees.
The one listed for sale here has spent its life in Switzerland.The previous owner bought it from a collector and stored it dry for several years. Two years ago, I bought the car and intended to fix and drive it but in the meantime, other priorities have emerged.
The car has only 13873 km (about 8500 miles) on the odometer.The last roadworthy control dates back to 2010 which means that the car could have been driven until 2013 at best (then it would have had to go through the control again, as it is every 2-3 years in Switzerland).
The current owner bought the car as it is. No information about past maintenance. No work has been done with the current ownership.
Based on my personal observation:- The car was moving but the batteries did not hold the charge.- It had power for only a very short time and then could only move very slowly.- The batteries will need to be replaced.
Unfortunately, while trying to move the car, he turned the main circuit breaker while the "ignition" contact was on, which made a break in the red box under the dashboard (noise of a burning fuse). An electrical inspection is needed.
Since then, the power does not go to the engine.The car doesn't move by itself now.
The car comes as seen in the pictures, parts may be missing.There was possibly an electric heater instead of the spare wheel under the bonnet.
The wood cover for the batteries is not original.
The passenger seat is not original, it is not attached (I can remove it if not wanted by the buyer).The driver seat is original, a second seat will need to be installed.
The driver window mechanism needs a plastic part connecting parts to be replaced.It doesn't move up at the moment, the part is cheap and available.
The first registration year is 1990, but the base car is a pre-1986 Fiat Panda (exact production year is unknown). The 1985 year indicated on eBay is an estimate since the platform asks for a production year.
The body has some minor defects including some scratches and rust spots: one on the back window, some under the doors and a few impacts that have rusted. A difference in colors on the right side shows some previous small repairs. Despite this, the body is in very good condition for a 30+ years old fiat!
The back of the car holds the 14 gel batteries (12V 80ah).
Under the bonnet is the charging system and the 14Kw electric motor connected to the original manual gearbox.
The front grill is replaced by a pivoting plate revealing the charging cord (regular Swiss 230V plug).
The dashboard has specific modifications for electricity: Amp and Volt meters and a switch for modes (sport, Eco, E-brakes) but the switch handle is broken.
12V equipment not tested (lights, fan, etc).The 12V battery under the bonnet will also need to be replaced.
This very rare model is an opportunity to drive a special vintage EV without having to pay a fortune for a new conversion!It's also the only way to drive a legal electric vintage car in countries where engine replacement is forbidden.
It could be upgraded to lithium batteries and modern chargers for even more convenience.
The car is located in Ollon 3971 in Switzerland and will have to be picked up there. I do not organize shipping. It does not drive and needs to be carried on a trailer.
The car registration papers are under a previous owner's name.
In Switzerland, owning the paper is a proof of ownership of the car no matter which name is on it.
The name changes on the paper when the car is again registered but this did not happen since the current name on the paper.
Depending on the buyer's location and if necessary, I can have the papers put under my name.
I'm happy to answer questions and provide specific pictures if necessary.
The car will need some work but is a good and very rare base. Please understand that there might be issues that I am not aware of as I have never really driven the car. Sold without any warranty.