I travel a lot, and in the course of visiting various car clubs, automotive and industry associations, and a variety of speaking engagements, it’s a question I’m often asked: “Do you see a future for EVs as classic or collectible cars?”
Hmmmm… Not sure my crystal ball is that well calibrated.
I can’t imagine, with over 15 million Ford Model Ts produced, and sold worldwide, with base prices ultimately less than $300, that anyone would’ve ever guessed that a Model T would be worth any kind of money, much less live in museums or be restored or otherwise collectible. But of course, they are.
Jay Leno has several early vintage electric cars (produced by Baker, Detroit, and others), but he’s super deep into nearly anything with unique or “alternative” power sourcing: electric, turbines, steam, and such. And of course he has the money, storage space, and in-house shop to have, restore, drive, and maintain any dang thing he wants.
But looking at today’s roster of EVs, I’m finding it a bit foggy in terms of divining what sort of collectible future today’s EVs have. Some case could be made (irrespective of how you feel about TESLA as a brand, or Elon Musk, as a person) that the early TESLA Roadster, which was a joint venture project with Lotus, based on the pint-sized and feather weight Elise model, might have some future collectible interest – it was among the very first TESLAs produced, and aimed at sportiness and performance more so than other early EVs. And there’s one flying around space on one of Musk’s rockets. The Fiat 500 EV might also earn just enough cute and cuddly points to have some future interest.
And unfortunately, all or most of the GM EV1s have since been crushed or depowered. Not a perfect EV, but a modern, well-engineered vehicle that set the tone for so many of today’s plug-ins.
My opinions are still forming about various EV conversions. I personally like my classics in restored or original condition, although there’s something appealing about a cool older car that doesn’t use gas, never needs a smog check, and performs like a modern. One example that strikes me as appealingly cool might be an old VW van converted to a high-tech EV powertrain – lots of room for batteries, and about a billion times more torque than an old 1100-1300cc veedub motor. Imagine that: a VW surfer van that doesn’t need to stay in the right-hand lane on the freeway, all the time. And all other kinds of old tin are being converted to high tech EV power, although this certainly changes the driving experience, which may or may not appeal to you. There are folks now converting mid-60s Ferraris to EV powertrains. There’s no question that a 3.0-liter Ferrari V-12 engine is the foundation of the appeal of those cars, but the EV powertrain would certainly be less hassle and cost to maintain. But I just can’t go there. EV powered hot rods? Yes, there are those now too.
For a few years, Ford sold a couple generations of Ford Ranger EV pickups – I know guys that have them, love them to heck, and buy them up anytime they spot a good example for sale.
Beyond that, I dunno. A TESLA 3, this SUV or that or another? Not sure I see lots of upsides there. CyberTruck? Hmm – that could certainly spark a few discussions or divorces.
We at GSM would like to know your take on this issue – feel free to write us here via the website and let us know what you see as the special interest EV market, or lack of same. Because of course, the only constant in life, society, and the world is evolution.
Personally I don’t think the EV will be collectible, not because of the electric motor, but because the machine is so digital. A rolling computer (EV) will have the same emotional attachment to the owner as a twelve year old iPad. I have been a hot rodder for over fifty years and a Porsche guy for thirty. Today my shop holds two hot rods, a ‘36 Ford and a ‘60 Corvette, along with an ‘88 Porsche 911 and an ‘08 Boxster S. I am pleased to say none of these cars have a screen and I have never asked Siri to go for a ride.