The Rise of EVs in the Restoration World: A New Era of Classic Cars

How EVs Are Gaining Ground in the Restoration Community

just east of Tulsa, Oklahoma, lies Broken Arrow, home to Unique Customs, a shop proudly billed as “America’s most UNIQUE restoration shop.” Its motto, “Your Dream. Our Passion. Done RIGHT!” reflects the team’s commitment to excellence. With roots in the restoration business dating back to the 1980s, they have developed a distinctive process that goes beyond expectations, earning them a stellar reputation and a two-to-three-year waiting list of approximately 200 cars.

Decades of expertise in paint and restoration caught the attention of the Velocity TV Network (now part of Motor Trend magazine). In 2014, Unique Customs was offered a show called Brand New Muscle Car. The concept, envisioned years earlier by David Miller, went beyond traditional restorations. The show highlighted the ability to rebuild classic vehicles entirely with new parts, offering greater customization and essentially creating cars from the ground up. While this approach is more common today, it was groundbreaking at the time.

The Return of Brand New Muscle Car and New Opportunities

The show ran for three seasons before 2020, completing three full builds before production paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By late 2022, discussions began about producing a final season. David reached out to Unique Customs’ clients to find someone interested in featuring their project on the show. They identified a husband-and-wife duo who owned two Ford Mustangs: one to be restored with a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) and the other with an electric drivetrain.

They weren’t pushing EVs on us—they were just having fun and found a new way to go fast. We wanted to be part of that.

Eager to take on the challenge, David began researching EV powertrains. Through Legacy EV, the leading distributor of electric crate motors and EV components, they connected with Eddy Borysewicz, owner of Revolt Systems. This coincided with the 2022 SEMA show, where David arranged a dinner meeting between the Brand New Muscle Car and Revolt Systems teams.

“After meeting Eddy and his team during dinner at SEMA, we knew right away these were real car guys we could work with,” Miller said. “They weren’t pushing EVs on us—they were just having fun and found a new way to go fast. We wanted to be part of that.”

Gradual Acceptance of EVs: A Midwest Track Day with The Doc

Over the next year, Unique Customs ordered a Revolt Systems crate motor and other components through Legacy EV. However, plans for the dual Mustang build fell through, and work began on just the gas-powered ’67 Mustang in early 2024. Despite the change, the team maintained a strong relationship with Revolt Systems and continued exploring ways to feature the electric motor on the show.

While EV acceptance is growing, it’s still more common on the West Coast, in states like California, than in the Midwest. In California, highways are lined with Teslas, but in Oklahoma, EVs sightings are less common. Even in restoration shops, EV conversions are on the rise, but they’re still outpaced by the popularity of new or used Teslas. Incentives like tax write-offs, preferred parking, and HOV lane access are appealing, but for many enthusiasts, the lack of that visceral engine roar keeps EVs at arm’s length.

When David invited the Revolt Systems team to visit Unique Customs and participate in a track day at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit with their electric 1965 Mustang, nicknamed “The Doc,” the answer was an enthusiastic “Yes!” It felt like being invited to hang out with the cool older sibling and their friends—a chance to prove themselves, gain acceptance, and maybe even change some opinions.

We’re not anti EV, if it’s cool and it’s fast, we’re into it!

And change opinions they did. The track day, celebrating 60 years of the Ford Mustang, brought together Brand New Muscle Car’s friends and their Mustangs, along with other standout vehicles. When The Doc arrived, it drew an immediate crowd. The event, captured by Dave Dobson of Masters Entertainment Group, showcased the limits of Brand New Muscle Car’s ’67 Mustang while giving Revolt Systems a stage to highlight their EV’s performance. For many attendees, it was their first time seeing an electric conversion in action, and The Doc left a lasting impression. Even Eddy Borysewicz, its owner, experienced the car at its limits for the first time.

Revolt Systems succeeded in their mission: turning heads and opening minds to the possibilities of EV conversions.

Southern Hospitality and Looking Ahead

After the track day, the Brand New Muscle Car team embraced their Southern and Midwestern roots, inviting everyone to celebrate at Oklahoma Joe’s, a beloved local BBQ spot. For the Revolt Systems crew, the warm hospitality and camaraderie felt like joining a family.

In a humorous twist, nature reminded everyone that California-built EVs might not be ready for unexpected midwest weather, featuring lightning and a bit of rain. Fortunately, Oklahoma Joe’s had roll-up garage doors, allowing The Doc to be safely stored overnight. Rob Ward and Maverick Knoles from Legacy EV pitched in to help wipe down the car, and by the next day, everything was dry and ready for the journey back to California.

Today, the Revolt Systems crate motor is prominently displayed in Unique Customs’ showroom, mounted to a chassis for a ’69 Ford Mustang 428 Cobra Jet by Chassisworks. It’s the first thing customers see when they walk in, drawing attention and sparking conversations daily.

I look forward to sharing more of this story as the project unfolds, potentially culminating in a Mustang “E-Jet.” With a motto like “Your Dream. Our Passion. Done RIGHT!” the team at Unique Customs is the perfect crew to bring this vision to life.