A rare 1997 GM EV1—believed to be the only privately titled example—is undergoing a full restoration with direct support from General Motors. After selling for $104,000 at auction, the historic electric car is being revived using factory archives and hard-to-find original parts.
Originally discovered abandoned in a junkyard, this green EV1 had sat long enough to qualify for legal auction and registration. Despite its rough condition—including a shattered windshield—the car fetched a surprising six-figure sum, highlighting its historical significance as one of the earliest modern electric vehicles.
The GM EV1 was a groundbreaking project in the 1990s, marking the first mass-produced electric vehicle from a major U.S. automaker. However, the program was discontinued in 2003, and most leased units were reclaimed and destroyed. This makes surviving examples extremely rare and highly valuable today.
The car is now owned by Billy Caruso, an EV enthusiast known for collecting and restoring early electric vehicles. With a fleet of rare 1990s EVs, adding the EV1 represents a milestone—often compared to finding a “holy grail” in the electric car world.
Caruso teamed up with mechanic and YouTuber Jared Pink from The Questionable Garage. Together, they began d
ismantling and restoring the vehicle, leveraging their experience with older EV platforms.
In a surprising turn, General Motors has actively joined the restoration effort. The automaker granted access to original archives, engineering data, and even supplied rare OEM components—including a replacement windshield that would otherwise be nearly impossible to source.
This level of factory involvement is unusual, especially for a discontinued project, and significantly improves the chances of bringing the EV1 back to life.
Years of exposure caused water damage and component degradation, meaning the restoration requires extensive mechanical and electrical work. However, with GM’s technical insight and parts support, the team is overcoming obstacles that would otherwise halt such a project.
The revival of this EV1 represents more than just restoring a car—it reflects the evolution of electric vehicles. From the experimental EV1 to modern models like the GMC Hummer EV, today’s electric mobility owes much to these early pioneers.
Although the restoration is still ongoing, recent updates show steady progress. In the near future, this once-forgotten EV1 could return to the road, serving as a living reminder of the electric revolution that began decades ago.
