Thanks for the links you guys posted, I will be checking those also myself. I am getting great deals on some small cheap cars like Dodge shadows with manaul trannies and bad engines if I want them.
"As I understand it, the electric motor needs to deliver the same HP as the petrol one, if you want the same performance. It's about turning the wheels, and the wheels don't care if the thing turning them is petrol or electric"
That's not really correct. Belts, altenator, water pump, airpumps for smog, airconditonair, power steering, (did I forget anything) all take HP away from the tranny and wheels. Eleminate all the above items and you don't need the HP that drives them, and you do away with all that stuff when you go electric. I don't know how many horses that actually is, but I am sure it's at least 10hp or more those items use themselfs, though just really geussing.
As for the power steering, I drove a 88 Dodge Shadow for along time without it. It was a nice tight stiff steering, gave it a sporty feeling and I actually liked it that way. Was not too hard to steer either, but the wife wanted the power steering so I fixed it for her. I think most newer small cars are using that type of rack and pinion now and it works fine without power. Older cars like that Mustang may not have power to begin with and no problem, but if it had power then it's probably gonna need something or be a bear to steer.
Personally I agree about fix up the car original and go with somethng else for electric.