by Historical Contrast of Automotive Concepts
In 1969, the automotive world demonstrated striking contrasts. Two concept models, which bore the same index 512 but were created on opposite ends of the planet, redefined the notion of “experimental.”
One of them was the competition-inspired Ferrari 512 S Berlinetta Speciale with a V12 engine – a wedge-shaped supercar that preceded the Lamborghini Countach concept by two years and looked as if it could break the sound barrier. The other was a tiny orange-colored electric sphere from General Motors, which could barely exceed the speed limit near a school.
We have already examined the GM 512 Electric Experimental before, but since then, the manufacturer has been actively implementing modern electric vehicle trends and is preparing a new Chevrolet Bolt for 2027, so it is time to turn our attention to this model again.
Dimensions and Design Features
Created exclusively for urban conditions and part of a whole family of experimental microcars from GM presented at the Transpo ’72 exhibition, which used a combination of electric, gasoline, and hybrid engines, the 512E was as tiny as it looks in the photos.
Its length was only 86.3 inches (2190 mm), and its width was 56 inches (1420 mm), making it a whole foot (300 mm) shorter than the original Smart ForTwo and 3 inches (75 mm) narrower.
Access to the two seats was provided through an unusual combination of a rising cabin, reminiscent of a helmet with a raised visor, and side doors, similar to bathtubs for people with limited mobility.
Tiny wheels are placed at the corners and equipped with wide tires, similar to those used on tuned Minis in 1969.
The rounded cabin provided excellent visibility, and even if it had thick pillars, the driver would have had enough time to look around.
Specifications and Comparison with Modern Counterparts
The maximum speed of the 512E was only 30 mph, and it took 12 seconds to achieve it. This might seem unsatisfactory, but it is worth remembering that a modern counterpart, the Citroen Ami, is also limited to a similar speed (28 mph or 45 km/h).
Citroen claims a range of 47 miles, while the 512E surpasses this figure by 11 miles (although measurement methods likely differed). However, the Ami can be fully charged in four hours, whereas for the GM it took seven hours.
The biggest difference lies in the battery design. Like all modern electric vehicles, the Ami uses lithium-ion batteries, while the 512E relied on traditional lead-acid batteries from Delco-Remy.
The fiberglass body makes the car quite light – 1250 pounds (567 kg), although the Ami is even lighter – 1065 pounds (483 kg).
Legacy and Impact on the Future
The 512E project did not lead to the appearance of tiny electric cars in Chevrolet dealerships in the 1970s or 1980s, but the fact that GM introduced the Impact EV concept and launched it into production as the EV1 six years later proved that the company had not abandoned the idea of small electric cars.
Half a century later, GM continues this endeavor, preparing the Chevrolet Bolt for 2027. However, one cannot help but wonder how much more interesting this car could have been if it had a rising cabin and a hint of that 1970s optimism.
This story reminds us that innovations often emerge long before they become mainstream. Experiments like the GM 512E laid the groundwork for modern electric vehicles, demonstrating that technologies that seem revolutionary today have deep roots in the past. Modern achievements in the field of electric vehicles are the result of decades of research, trial and error, which began with such bold but limited projects.
