- Terry Breheny’s 1961 Chevy Corvair Wagon won Best Stance at Electrify Showoff in Denver, combining classic car style with modern EV tech.
- The Corvair Wagon runs on a 340-horsepower Atom Drive System from Ampere EV, featuring CCS DC fast-charging for real-world use.
- Through Ohm On The Range, Terry teaches young adults about EV systems, offering hands-on training with programs like Legacy EV’s Top Kart curriculum.
When it comes to blending old-school automotive passion with modern EV innovation, few stories are as captivating as that of Terry Breheny, the creator and mastermind behind Ohm On The Range and his award-winning 1961 Chevy Corvair Wagon EV conversion. Hailing from Golden, Colorado, Terry’s unique take on EV conversions not only earned him the Best Stance award in Denver at Electrify Showoff, Driven by Yokohama Tire, making him a key figure in the growing EV swap community.
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A Classic Chevy Corvair Wagon with a Modern EV Twist
A lifelong hot-rod enthusiast, Terry’s journey into the EV world started after driving the Audi RS E-tron GT, an experience that shifted his gears (literally) towards electric vehicles. Now, as the founder of Ohm On The Range, Terry brings together the DIYers, industry professionals, and EV conversion enthusiasts alike at his annual “State of Charge” educational conference.
This event has become a hub for those looking to learn, network, and showcase their builds, all while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in EV conversions. His latest creation, a 1961 Chevy Corvair Lakewood Wagon, is a perfect mix of classic style and modern technology.
What’s so special about this Corvair Wagon? For Terry, it’s more than just any car. For him, it’s a labor of love and a tribute to the classic era of American wagons. “I am a huge fan of classics from the 50s and 60s, especially old wagons,” Terry explains.
Though he’s always been a “Blue Oval” guy, the compact size and rear-engine layout of the Chevy Corvair Wagon made it an ideal candidate for an EV conversion. After spotting it locally on Craigslist, Terry jumped at the chance to customize this air-cooled, rear-engine classic into something truly extraordinary.
Classic Corvair Wagon Packs 340 HP with Atom Drive System, Tackles Suspension Challenges
Under the hood (or in this case, under the rear decklid), Terry installed the Atom Drive System by Ampere EV, which includes a state-of-the-art 255 kW Maverick25 paired with an efficient 400-volt battery and electrical system. Thanks to this setup, the Corvair Wagon cranks out an impressive 340 horsepower.
More importantly, the Corvair’s louvers in the rear quarter panels are put to good use, providing active cooling for the motor, inverter, and charger radiator loop. It’s the perfect marriage of form and function, especially with a car that Terry describes as having a “natural patina by Mother Nature.”
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. “The Corvair’s unique ‘swing axle’ rear suspension was a real challenge,” Terry admits. “The stock axle shafts were too long and way too weak for the electric torque.”
After much head scratching, he collaborated locally with Bill’s Englewood Driveshaft to create temporary shafts using Porsche 930 CV joints and NOS Corvair bearings. It’s a solution that works, for now, but Terry is determined to find a more permanent fix that can handle the incredible power output, thanks to the motor’s 8.28:1 gear reduction.
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Hands-On EV Training Program for Future Builders
The 1961 Chevy Corvair Wagon is more than just a passion project for Terry. It also represents the future of hands-on EV education. With multiple “train the trainer” programs under his belt, including courses from Legacy EV and Switch Vehicles, Terry has launched a hands-on training program based on the Legacy EV “Top Kart” curriculum. His goal is to teach young adults the ins and outs of EV systems, and to inspire the next generation of EV builders and enthusiasts.
“Having completed much EV-conversion training, the intention here was to gain hands-on experience by completing my own build, start-to-finish, in order to gain experience and legitimacy to support my recent opening of an educational facility in Colorado focused on hands-on EV systems training,” Terry says.
Chevy Corvair Wagon Wins Big at Electrify Showoff
The Chevy Corvair Wagon’s first appearance at Electrify Showoff won top honors and established the La Vida Volta crew as a leading team in EV customization. “The support from Ampere EV has been top-notch,” Terry highlights the importance of DC fast charging (DCFC), which makes EV swaps practical for real-world driving, not just for show. His wagon will definitely be on the road.
YouTube Series on Chevy Corvair EV Conversion, Driving Passion and Education in the EV Community
Looking ahead, Terry plans to continue sharing his love for EV conversions through a new YouTube series launching early 2025, covering the Atom Drive System installation on his Corvair Wagon. With so much momentum behind him, both personally and professionally, there’s no doubt Terry Breheny and Ohm On The Range will continue to leave a lasting mark on the EV community.
In Terry’s own words: “People much smarter and more experienced than I have developed components with both performance and safety in mind. That means I didn’t have to spec a bunch of random parts together and try to make them play nice with each other.” His approach reflects the ethos behind Ohm On The Range, which is a blend of passion, education, and innovation that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with EV swaps.
With every build, every conference, and every award, Terry Breheny is proving that the future of e-mobility is rooted in passion, education, and community. His Chevy Corvair Wagon is just one example of how EV conversions can change not only cars but also the lives of those who build and learn from them.
For more information on Electrify Showoff Driven by Yokohama Tire, visit www.electrifyexpo.com/showoff and follow on social media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube.
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2024 Electrify Expo Schedule
| Date | Location |
| March 16-17 | Orlando, FL (new location for 2024) |
| May 4-5 | Phoenix, AZ (new location for 2024) |
| May 31-June 2 | Long Beach, CA |
| July 13-14 | Denver, CO (new location for 2024) |
| August 24-25 | San Francisco, CA |
| September 14-15 | Seattle, WA |
| October 12-13 | Long Island, NY |
| November 8-10 | Austin, TX |
OWNER/VEHICLE DETAILS
Owner: Terry Breheny
Location: Golden, CO, USA
Vehicle: 1961 Chevy Corvair Lakewood 700
Horsepower: ~340 (254kW)
Club: La Vida Volta
Facebook: lavidavolta
Instagram: ohm_on_the_range
YouTube: @lavidavolta
ELECTRIFY SHOWOFF AWARDS
| Show | Category |
| Electrify Showoff Denver, CO 2024 | Best Stance, Best Crew |
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
| Category | Description |
| Performance Electronics / Powertrain | Atom Drive System by Ampere EV |
| Wheels & Tires | Falken 175/70 on stock 13” steelies |
| Brakes | New OEM spec |
| Chassis & Suspension | New OEM spec |
| Exterior | Natural patina by Mother Nature |
| Interior | Junkyard passenger-van bench seat, New restoration items by Clark’s Corvair Parts |
| Audio & Multimedia | Atom Drive System GUI display (Android Auto), MB Quart Amplifier, Retrosound (front), Infinity Reference (rear) Speakers |
| Sponsors | Ampere EV, Maverick EV |
| Shops & Mechanics | Ohm On The Range, with assistance from Inspire EV, EV Swap Denver, and Classic EV Conversions |
Terry Breheny’s 1961 Chevy Corvair Lakewood 700 Photo Gallery
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IMAGES: ELECTRIFY EXPO
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