Long before Tesla made electric vehicles cool and Elon Musk became a household name, a small company in Austin, Texas was quietly revolutionizing the automotive landscape. Jet Industries, better known for their snowmobiles despite their Southern location, created one of America’s most intriguing automotive curiosities: the Jet Electrica 007. Built on the humble Dodge Omni 024 platform, this electric conversion represents a fascinating glimpse into an alternative automotive timeline where EVs could have dominated decades earlier.
The Genesis of American Electric Innovation
In the early 1980s, as gas prices soared and environmental consciousness began emerging in American culture, entrepreneurs saw opportunity in electric vehicle conversion. Built by Jet Industries, a company based in Austin, Texas, the Electrica 007 was an electric conversion of the compact Dodge Omni 024. This quirky, boxy hatchback wasn’t the first car you would think of when imagining a future-forward EV, but it was a symbol of its time.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The 1979 oil crisis had Americans reconsidering their relationship with gasoline, while government incentives encouraged alternative fuel development. Into this environment stepped Jet Industries with an audacious plan: convert Chrysler’s most affordable compact car into an electric vehicle that promised both economy and environmental responsibility.
The Dodge Omni 024: An Unlikely Electric Platform
To understand the Electrica 007’s significance, we must first appreciate its foundation. The base engine was a 1.7 L Volkswagen inline four producing 70 hp (52 kW), with a 2.2 L, 84 hp (63 kW) Chrysler inline four as an option beginning in 1981. By then, the smaller engine only produced 63 hp (47 kW).
The Omni 024 represented Chrysler’s entry into the compact sporty coupe market, competing directly with cars like the Chevrolet Chevette and Ford Pinto. With its distinctive angular styling and European-influenced design, the 024 looked faster than it actually was – a characteristic that would serve the Electrica conversion well.
Power came from a 1.7-liter Volkswagen-sourced engine or a Chrysler-built 2.2-liter I4. It looked faster than it actually was—and that gap between style and substance made it a bit of an underdog. This underdog status made it perfect for Jet Industries’ electric conversion project, providing an affordable platform with modern styling that could mask the limitations of 1980s electric technology.
The Conversion Process: Engineering Meets Ambition
Jet Industries’ conversion process was both ingenious and brutal in its simplicity. The coupe was fitted with a 23-horsepower DC electric motor under the hood, while the trunk was modified to accommodate a sizeable battery pack made of 15 six-volt lead-acid units. Jet Industries claimed that the 007 had a range of 50 miles (80 km) and reached a top speed of 70 mph (113 kph).
The transformation required significant structural modifications:
Engine Bay Changes:
- Complete removal of Volkswagen 1.7L gasoline engine
- Installation of 23-horsepower DC electric motor
- Retention of original transmission for gear reduction
- Integration of electric motor control systems
Battery Installation:
- The rear cargo area is mostly gone, converted into a large battery box with additional electrical meters. As with most toys, batteries are not included in this car. This is probably a good thing, since the original 20 six-volt lead-acid batteries weighed about 1,000 pounds, nearly half the car’s total weight
The battery weight posed significant challenges for vehicle dynamics and performance, but Jet Industries claimed impressive specifications for the era.
Production Numbers: Rarity That Defines Value
Jet Industries reportedly sold over 1,500 conversions in its short time on the market. It’s unclear how many were electrified Omni 024s, but some sources claim about 50 are known to exist. If that’s the case, we’re looking at an ultra-rare classic.
However, conflicting reports suggest broader production. Jet Industries, primarily known for their snowmobiles (even though they were based in Texas), actually ended up producing about 3,000 “Electrica 007s,” which were just altered Omni 024s.
Regardless of exact numbers, the Electrica 007 represents one of America’s rarest production electric vehicles, predating modern EV interest by nearly four decades.
Performance Reality vs. Marketing Claims
The company claimed these cars had an average range of 50 miles and a top speed of 70 mph. However, real-world performance told a different story. This car has a range of 20 miles on its 4-year old batteries, but with new batteries it should have a 60-70 mile range. That’s almost comparable to a lot of new EVs for a fraction of the price.
The performance gap between fresh and aged batteries highlighted one of electric vehicle technology’s biggest challenges in the 1980s: battery degradation and replacement costs often exceeded the original vehicle’s value.
Realistic Performance Specifications:
- Power: 23 horsepower DC motor
- Top Speed: 70 mph (claimed)
- Range: 20-70 miles depending on battery condition
- Battery Pack: 15-20 six-volt lead-acid units
- Total Weight: Approximately 1,000 pounds in batteries alone
The Austin Connection: Jet Industries’ Unlikely Success
That a snowmobile manufacturer from Texas became America’s most successful early EV converter speaks to the entrepreneurial spirit of the era. Jet Industries leveraged their experience with small-engine manufacturing and electric systems to create something unprecedented in American automotive history.
The company’s location in Austin, Texas – decades before it became a tech hub – positioned them perfectly to serve both California’s emerging environmental market and the energy-conscious Southwest. Their success in selling over 1,500 conversions demonstrated genuine market demand for electric alternatives, even with 1980s technology limitations.
Government Incentives and Market Forces
By converting traditional gasoline cars, the offered here Electrica 007 is one such example of those Government-backed eco-cars. Based off the already subsidized Omni 024, the 1.7-liter VW gasoline engine, gave way to a 23bhp direct-current electric motor.
The early 1980s represented a unique moment in American automotive history when government incentives aligned with consumer interest in alternative fuels. The combination of federal tax credits, state rebates, and rising gasoline prices created a brief window where electric vehicle conversions became economically viable for mainstream consumers.
Collector Interest and Modern Relevance
Today, the Jet Electrica 007 occupies a fascinating position in collector car culture. The coupe appears to be in excellent condition, suggesting that some examples have been preserved by owners who recognized their historical significance.
Current Collector Appeal:
- Historical Significance: Represents early American EV innovation
- Extreme Rarity: Potentially fewer than 50 examples survive
- Technology Documentation: Provides insight into 1980s EV solutions
- Investment Potential: Unique positioning in classic car market
- Conversation Starter: Guaranteed attention at any car show
The Manual Transmission EV: A Forgotten Concept
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Electrica 007 involved its retention of the original manual transmission. This 1980s electric car with a manual transmission, a forgotten relic that proves the concept isn’t new.
Modern EVs typically use single-speed reduction gears, making the Electrica 007’s multi-speed transmission a unique historical artifact. The manual gearbox allowed drivers to optimize electric motor performance for different driving conditions, providing gear reduction for acceleration and higher gearing for top speed efficiency.
Market Context: What These Cars Command Today
Recent auction activity suggests growing interest in early American electric vehicles:
Bonhams Auction Results:
- 1982 Jet Electrica 007 Chassis no. ML24AAD369417 appeared at major auction house
- Condition and completeness dramatically affect values
- Battery replacement costs must be factored into ownership
- Documentation and originality premium pricing
Investment Considerations:
- Extreme Rarity: Fewer than 100 examples likely exist
- Historical Significance: Represents American EV pioneer spirit
- Technology Interest: Appeals to both classic car and EV enthusiasts
- Restoration Challenges: Battery technology updates complicate originality
Technical Challenges of Ownership
Modern ownership of a Jet Electrica 007 presents unique challenges:
Battery Technology Evolution:
- Original lead-acid technology obsolete
- Modern lithium alternatives change vehicle characteristics
- Weight distribution significantly altered by battery upgrades
- Original charging systems incompatible with modern infrastructure
Parts Availability:
- Electric motor components require specialized rebuilding
- Control systems may need complete redesign for reliability
- Body parts shared with standard Omni 024 platform
- Electrical systems unique to Jet Industries conversion
The Cultural Impact: Predicting Tesla’s Success
Looking back, the Jet Electrica 007 predicted many aspects of modern EV success:
Design Philosophy:
- Convert existing platforms rather than ground-up design
- Focus on practicality over performance
- Target urban commuters with limited range needs
- Emphasize environmental benefits over traditional performance metrics
Market Strategy:
- Government incentive dependence
- Early adopter customer base
- Premium pricing for alternative technology
- Range anxiety as primary customer concern
Street Sightings and Preservation Stories
The o24 already looked like a child’s drawing of a sporty hatchback, but Jet decided to make it “better” by sticking an electric motor in it and seeing what happened. The result is this Omni-based Jet Electrica 007 I found parked on the streets of Baltimore City.
The fact that these cars still appear on public streets forty years later speaks to both their build quality and their owners’ dedication to preservation. Each surviving example represents a piece of American automotive innovation that could have changed history if battery technology had advanced more rapidly.
Investment Analysis: Future Collectibility
Several factors suggest increasing collector interest:
Positive Trends:
- Growing EV mainstream acceptance increases historical interest
- Extreme rarity ensures scarcity value
- Unique technology appeals to multiple collector segments
- Austin, Texas connection adds regional appeal
Risk Factors:
- Battery replacement costs may exceed vehicle values
- Limited restoration expertise available
- Small collector market reduces liquidity
- Technology may seem primitive compared to modern EVs
The Verdict: An Automotive Time Capsule
The 1982 Jet Electrica 007 represents far more than a curiosity or failed experiment. It embodies American entrepreneurial spirit, environmental consciousness, and technological ambition that was decades ahead of its time. While Tesla gets credit for making electric vehicles mainstream, the Electrica 007 proved that American consumers would embrace EV technology when properly presented.
For collectors, these cars offer unique positioning in the classic car market. They’re neither traditional muscle cars nor typical economy cars, but rather technological artifacts that document an alternative automotive timeline. The combination of extreme rarity, historical significance, and growing EV interest suggests these cars will only become more valuable and sought-after.
Who Should Consider Ownership:
- Technology history enthusiasts
- Early American automotive innovation collectors
- EV pioneers interested in industry origins
- Investors seeking unique automotive assets
- Car show participants wanting guaranteed attention
Who Should Avoid:
- Traditional muscle car purists
- Collectors requiring easy parts availability
- Daily driver seekers
- Those without specialized electrical knowledge
The Legacy Continues
As America embraces electric vehicle technology in 2025, the Jet Electrica 007 serves as a reminder that innovation often comes from unexpected sources. A snowmobile company in Texas saw possibilities that Detroit’s major manufacturers missed, creating vehicles that predicted today’s EV revolution by four decades.
Whether viewed as pioneering technology or historical curiosity, the Electrica 007 earned its place in automotive history. For the fortunate collectors who own these ultra-rare conversions, they possess not just classic cars but tangible proof that American ingenuity has always found ways to solve tomorrow’s problems with today’s technology.
In an era where every major automaker races to develop electric vehicles, the humble Jet Electrica 007 stands as proof that the future of transportation was visible forty years ago – it just took the rest of the world this long to catch up.
