Back from the Dead: 5 Defunct Models that Would be Perfect Electric Vehicles

• April 6, 2021
• Story By
  Andy Carter

When GM debuted the Hummer EV earlier this year, the world was shocked at the transformation of the gas-guzzling behemoth into a sharp, powerful electric truck ready to do battle with the hottest names in the EV space. While the idea of using a historic nameplate as an EV vehicle could be seen as an affront to some enthusiasts, the decision allows for the next generation to experience the aesthetics and purpose of the original icon in a new and relevant way. The new Hummer EV, now shown as both a truck and SUV, will still offer go-anywhere functionality and beefy design, just in a more efficient package. That got us thinking to see what other abandoned models could be resurrected in a way that celebrated the original, in both purpose and design, while taking advantage of the instant power delivery, low maintenance, and green efficiency of modern EVs. 

Lincoln Blackwood

There’s absolutely no doubt that the pick-up truck is the new face of American luxury. With models from the big three manufacturers that all utilize high-tech cabins, leather interiors, and smooth-riding, modern suspensions, the demand is there for increasingly nicer trucks. The Lincoln Blackwood, an odd experiment in 2002, would make perfect sense as a Ford’s contender against the Hummer EV. 

Whereas the Hummer EV pick-up plays up the go-anywhere, tough-guy aspect of the truck world, the Blackwood could double-down on luxury, taking advantage of all that modern Lincoln has to offer. With gobs of on-demand torque and plenty of storage space, the Blackwood EV could handle city-truck needs in both comfort and style. 

GMC Typhoon

With the introduction of the Hummer EV SUV, why not double down on EV performance from the GMC brand? A Typhoon, resurrected as an AWD performance EV, would be the perfect foil to Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. 

While the Blazer name has been watered down as a family crossover, GM has the chance to capitalize on its high-performance brother with a thoroughly modern electric power-plant. Using the same technology as the Hummer EV, one could imagine a modern race between the Typhoon EV and a Tesla Model S. Seeing the compact SUV punch above its weight again would be an awesome win for fans of the original model. 

AMC Eagle

Although AMC may be long gone as a brand, their Eagle model still gets brought up regularly as the grandfather of modern crossovers. Chrysler acquired the AMC properties in the mid-'80s, with their serious glut in models these days, could certainly revive the AMC Eagle as an adventure-ready soft-roader EV. 

Evidenced by Subaru’s latest Outback Wilderness Edition, the demand for anything that fits into the outdoors-lifestyle aesthetic is at an all-time high. Pairing that with the eco-conscious aspects of EV-motoring would be an easy sell for a would-be Subaru buyer. 

Chevrolet Greenbrier

In the early 1960’s, Chevrolet introduced the Greenbrier as a van member of the sub-brand Corvair line-up. Paired with a horizontal-opposed air-cooled 4 cylinder, the van was meant to offer maximum utility for travelers and workers alike. 

Does a boxer-powered van from the sixties with loads of nostalgia value sound familiar? Volkswagen has already committed to bring back their iconic “VW Bus” Type II as an EV in 2023, so why would GM not get in on the hippie bus revival? Interest in camping is at an all time high, and the open-layouts made possible by battery powered vehicles would be the perfect combo for a resurrected Greenbrier EV with throwback aesthetics. 

Mitsubishi 3000GT

We can feel the eyes-rolling from Mitsubishi enthusiasts through the screen, but the 3000GT would be a great name to build a technology-packed, design-forward EV coupe on. The original sports car featured AWD, a complex turbo set-up, and hosts of other innovations for the time, and this could be the chance for the struggling brand to retake their place in the market. 

Brands like Volvo and Genesis have both used gorgeous two-doors to drum up excitement about their EV brands, so the 3000GT EV would be a continuation of that same strategy. With Mitsubishi having committed to EVs for the foreseeable future, a performance car will be needed to secure their place in enthusiasts’ minds.