Mike,
"What do I need to do to make it really drivable? I want to be able to jump in and drive it like any other vehicle. I don't want to have to raise the hood and bypass the resistor when starting it."
Think carefully about what you want to accomplish, and your level of skills, and/or your level of $$$.
Is cruising at 55-65,
and reliable starting,
and no special electric accessories,
and reliable braking your primary goals;
or,
is cruising at 65-75,
and reliable and adequate braking,
and adding modern 12v accessories your primary goals;
or,
do you have other primary goals?
Tim
