This Honda Odyssey With A Tesla Swap Is Absolutely Crazy!
by AutoExpert | 12 December, 2023
Kyle Wade from BoostedBoiz kicked off a groundbreaking project by merging the Honda Odyssey with the Tesla Model S Plaid. This fusion, aptly named the "Honda Plaidessey," emerged from discovering that the two vehicles shared nearly identical wheelbase and width dimensions. Who could have predicted that?!
Kyle Wade acquired a 2001 Honda Odyssey for $500, with 290,000 miles on the odometer. Initially considered expendable, the creation of the Honda Plaidessey project involved transplanting the Odyssey's body onto the potent Tesla's chassis.
To validate feasibility without compromising a functional Model S, the team utilized a salvaged donor car chassis. Then, they adapted the minivan's body panels to the Tesla's working base. A significant challenge arose with the door hardpoints, as the Honda's wheel-to-door distance differed from the Tesla's, requiring a forward shift of the doors by approximately 6 inches.
Strategically avoiding modification to the operational minivan, the team acquired a junked, engineless Odyssey for preliminary body test-fitting. Once satisfied, they cut the van's floor, lifted the body, and integrated it with the Tesla base after necessary adjustments. The transition from prototypes and donor cars to the final build involved meticulous steps.
Mating the Odyssey's body to the Plaid skateboard, they modified the Tesla's seating position to accommodate the minivan's driver's field of view. Trimming and reinforcing mounting points followed, compensating for the floor removal's impact on rigidity. The finishing touches included reattaching doors, installing the passenger seat, and restoring all body panels, windows, and lighting to recreate the authentic minivan appearance.
While the powertrain and shell are complete, the project still demands attention. Issues with the air suspension affecting the top speed need resolution. Additional tasks include providing grille support, implementing a proper hood latch, restoring sliding door functionality, installing Tesla's rear seats, and ensuring the minivan's comfort features are fully operational.