The 1972 Dino EV “Moncada”: SEMA Star, Ferrari Warning, and Electric Masterpiece

The 1972 Dino EV “Moncada”

Imagine being the first EV ever to crack the Decorated Dozen at SEMA’s Battle of the Builders competition, placing in the Top 3 for the Sport Compact/Import Performance/Luxury & Exotic category, only to come home to a cease and desist letter from Ferrari.

When you get that kind of attention from one of the world’s most iconic brands, you’re clearly doing something right.

Ferrari’s legal team more or less said:

“Hey, we see what you did. But if this thing causes any issues, or someone thinks they can file a warranty claim on a car from 1972… we had nothing to do with it. Also, we don’t like you, and you’re not invited to any of our birthday parties.”

It’s like a long-lost cousin discovering you through a mail-in DNA test, only to let you know you’re not welcome at Thanksgiving—and no, you’re not getting any of the family’s money either.

Current Electric Vehicles took it in stride, responding with a lighthearted social media post and adding this disclaimer to their website:

“The modifications and restorations made to this vehicle are not endorsed, sponsored, or otherwise affiliated with Ferrari. These modifications may reduce or limit the life of the vehicle and any of its wearable parts. These modifications have been done without the permission of Ferrari.”

There. It’s in this article now too, so we should be covered.

As we’ve noted in past features, Current hasn’t been in the EV conversion scene for long, but it’s already making serious waves—both positive and negative. Thankfully, those at Current take the heat with grace and humor. When a commenter once said its ’57 Chevy Bel Air EV was “like castrating a beautiful stallion,” Current responded with a tongue-in-cheek run of t-shirts: “Stallion Castration Services – Current, Est. 2021.”

No notes.

The First Customer, The Full Send

With all the buzz the Dino generated at SEMA 2024, it’s worth noting this was actually Current Electric Vehicles’ first full customer build. The previous cars featured in EV Builder’s Guide—the ’57 Chevy Bel EV and the ’32 Ford Deuce Coupe—were both in-house shop projects. Michael Connelly’s Triumph TR6, while customer-owned, was a repair and upgrade job, not a ground-up build.

This one was different.

Edward Moncada, former CEO of Blockfolio, sold the company to FTX (yes, that FTX). Brian Dilley, Blockfolio’s former CTO, went on to launch Current Electric Vehicles. About a year after the sale, Dilley pitched Moncada an idea:

“I told him he should let us build a car for him. It would be fun, and he’d end up with something cool. He agreed and gave us 100% creative freedom to build something truly amazing.”

Mission accomplished.

Crafted by Hand, Backed by Tech

Led by Brian Dilley, the team behind the Dino EV is a tight-knit group of passionate builders and designers based in Los Angeles. Countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears went into turning this project into the rolling work of art you see today.

Bryan Garst led the vehicle’s overall aesthetic design, creating the custom wheels, seats, dashboard, and grille. Caytlynn Dilley designed the digital gauge cluster interface, while Dale Switalski handled the extensive metalwork, fabricating the inner wheel wells, hood and trunk interiors, dashboard framing, and even custom-machining the knobs and shifter on a lathe. Nathan Cook turned the rear light bezels, and Sam, a contributor on the project, supported CAD development for the motor mounts, battery box, and early wiring diagrams.

Brian Dilley programmed the LED lighting and gauge software, Jack Ingvardsken assisted with final assembly, and Alberto Lorenzini handled installation and configuration of the vehicle control unit (VCU). The custom center console was built by Curin, and the interior, completely handmade and one-of-a-kind, features a high-end Alpine stereo system.

When you get that kind of attention from one of the world’s most iconic brands, you’re clearly doing something right.

Additional custom touches include in-house designed and machined wheel caps, exterior badging, and a rear diffuser—all bearing custom Dino EV logos created by Caytlynn Dilley. The car also features front and rear cameras for improved usability during daily driving.

In addition to the in-house craftsmanship, the Dino EV features a range of premium third-party components. Electric power steering adds modern drivability, while Aldan billet adjustable coilovers provide a customizable ride. The suspension and braking systems were custom-ordered from GiroDisc and Wilwood, and the custom wheels and grille were machined by EVOD.

Inside, California Upholstery trimmed the cabin using Italian leather supplied at a discount by LeatMeSpecial.com. Climate control is managed by a Restomod Air HVAC system. The exterior paintwork was handled by Colors & Designs in Temecula, California, using Glasurit paint, and POR-15 supplied protective coatings to ensure long-term durability.

At the heart of the build is a Cascadia Motion IDM 190 electric motor, delivering 490 Nm of torque (4,057 Nm at the axles thanks to gearing), 242 kW (323 hp), and spinning up to a 12,000 RPM redline—all in a compact 92 kg package.

Power is stored in a custom-designed battery enclosure fabricated in-house, holding 18 1P6S VDA modules. The full pack includes 108 cells wired in series, producing a maximum voltage of 453 V and a total capacity of 39 kWh. Battery performance is managed by an Orion BMS, and air conditioning is powered by a Guchen AC compressor. A VCU provided by Dynam Labs oversees the EV systems, and the heart of the charging system is a Dilong charger.

Vintage Design, Current Vision

A build this striking deserves an equally unforgettable setting. Bryan Garst had the idea to photograph the Dino at the iconic “Space Station House” designed by architect Ed Niles, and the results? Pure art.

Driving up, the home immediately called to mind a giant camshaft, an appropriate yet ironic comparison, given the Dino has no cam at all. Perched in the Malibu hills, the house was designed to resemble a landed International Space Station, with sharp lines and sweeping curves that echo the Dino’s own design language.

Wherever the Dino was parked on the property, it looked right at home. It is effortlessly photogenic, even through the lens of a phone—like a supermodel with no bad side. The current homeowner, Paul, continues to curate the space as a living gallery of architecture and modern art, and the Dino blended right in.

A bit of architectural trivia: Ed Niles used to grab coffee with John Lautner, the late architect who inspired Tony Stark’s house in the movie Iron Man. Lautner, in turn, studied under none other than Frank Lloyd Wright. While Niles’ work leans more futuristic  than Wright’s, the “organic architecture” philosophy still comes through — structures (and in the Dino’s case, machines) designed to feel like natural extensions of their environment.

In an interview with Architectural Digest, Niles once said:

“If you aren’t emotional, don’t be an architect. It would be a waste of time.”

The same holds true in the automotive world. If you don’t love cars, you’ll be wasting your time and won’t last long building them.

A Union of Art, Engineering, and Trust

While Ferrari may have chosen to distance itself from this EV conversion, it’s clear that Current EV has approached the Dino with deep respect and creativity. Hopefully, the team at Current, and even Ferrari, can appreciate these photos of the Dino captured at such a masterfully designed home.

Just as real estate investors Milton and Saralyn Sidley once trusted Ed Niles to create an architectural icon, Ed Moncada placed his trust in Brian Dilley and the team at Current Electric Vehicles to create something entirely original. They’re two sides of the same coin: artists backed by visionaries with the trust and resources to let them fly.

Both are stunning, both are one-of-a-kind, and together, they become something even greater.

SPECS

1972 Dino EV “Moncada”

• Built by: Current Electric Vehicles
• Owner: Edward Moncada
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Debut: SEMA 2024—Top 3, Sport Compact/Import/Luxury & Exotic

Powertrain

• Motor: Cascadia Motion IDM 190
• Torque: 490 Nm (4,057 Nm at axles with gearing)
• Power Output: 242 kW / 323 hp
• Redline: 12,000 RPM
• Weight: 92 kg
• Battery System
• Configuration: 18x 1P6S VDA modules (108 cells total)
• Voltage: 453V max
• Capacity: 39 kWh
• Battery Management: Orion BMS
• Battery Enclosure: Custom-fabricated in-house
• Charging System: Dilong onboard charger
• Compressor: Guchen electric AC compressor
• VCU: Dynam Labs

Chassis & Suspension

• Suspension: Custom setup with Aldan billet adjustable coilovers
• Brakes: Wilwood with GiroDisc components
• Steering: Electric power steering system

Wheels & Tires

• Wheels: Custom-designed by Bryan Garst, machined by EVOD
• Tires: Modern performance fitment (specs not provided)

Interior

• Upholstery: Handcrafted by California Upholstery
• Leather: Italian leather provided by LeatMeSpecial.com
• Dashboard & Center Console: Custom design and fabrication
• Audio: Alpine sound system
• Gauge Cluster UI: Designed by Caytlynn Dilley
• LED & Gauge Software: Programmed by Brian Dilley

Exterior

• Paint: Glasurit, applied by Colors & Designs, Temecula, CA
• Protective Coatings: POR-15
• Badging & Wheel Caps: Custom in-house with Dino EV logos
• Cameras: Front and rear installed for modern usability
• Rear Diffuser: Custom-fabricated in-house

Photos by Dan Coronado