These individuals restoring a GM EV1 are making significant headway.
The Questionable Garage via YouTube
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It's been a while since we last checked on one of the most unlikely restoration projects in recent history. The team behind The Questionable Garage YouTube channel has been working on a rare General Motors EV1—VIN 212—acquired in late 2025 from an impound auction for an astonishing $104,000. Opportunities to purchase an EV1 are scarce since these vehicles were initially leased and notoriously recalled by GM when the leases ended, with many being destroyed.
This scarcity poses a challenge for restoration, as spare parts are not readily available (and there are notable differences between the earlier and later models). However, in their latest video on the project, The Questionable Garage demonstrated significant progress. The team succeeded in routing 12-volt power through the vehicle's wiring harness, powering the dashboard, radio, odometer (which reads 28,832 miles), and brake lights. The car also accepted its security code, a necessary step for making it operable once the high-voltage battery pack and motor are reconnected.
The Questionable Garage via YouTube
Having sat outside for an extended period, the initial step was to remove years of corrosion and dirt buildup from the harness connectors. Most cleanup was achieved using an ultrasonic cleaner to dislodge dirt through vibration. All components were then placed on a fixture outside the car for testing, which improved accessibility.
The next phase involved cleaning and reassembling the shifter panel, including replacing bulbs for the various backlit buttons, and removing a taped-on screw that appeared to prevent the park-interlock switch from functioning as part of 212’s decommissioning. This modification may have allowed the car, donated by GM to Clark Atlanta University, to be moved in neutral once its powertrain was disabled (due to the removal of components like the power control module). While GM may have permitted certain cars to remain as educational tools, they did not want them on the road.
What Happens When You Power Up a GM EV1 After Decades?
Witnessing the detached instrument cluster, shifter, and Oldsmobile head unit illuminate is a thrilling moment for enthusiasts of rare and unique cars. It signals that this EV1 could potentially be operational again in the near future—provided all the components are reattached to the powertrain. A major upcoming challenge will be installing EV1 software onto the new powertrain control module, which was sourced from an S-10 EV, to ensure everything functions properly.
The EV1 represents one of the most significant missteps in automotive history. GM began recalling and decommissioning these vehicles in 2003, only to unveil the Chevrolet Volt concept just four years later. One can't help but wonder how different the landscape might have been if GM had capitalized on the success of the EV1 instead of abandoning it. At least the automaker is now supporting the restoration of EV1 212, and hopefully, this project will reach completion sooner rather than later.
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