It is intriguing that a classic car is considered a car which is over 20 years old. Interestingly enough, they've been selling the Toyota previous now for 13 years. That means that in seven more years it will become a classic car. That sounds fascinating doesn't it? After all, it is a hybrid car not a classic. In other words, it is a futuristic car with advanced systems with all the latest and greatest technologies. And yet it is quite old and approaching the "classic auto" age. Let's talk about this for second shall we?
Rebuilding a car which is a classic has been a hobby for many automotive enthusiasts. The question is will people rebuild these old hybrid automobiles and keep them running long-term in order to show them off at car shows in the future? Well, they might, but keeping them all original might not be such a great idea. After all, the battery technology used in the original hybrid cars is not very good compared to today's battery technology, and further, by the time they do become classics that technology will be literally obsolete.
A Toyota Prius has a battery system which needs to be replaced about every 20,000 miles or 5 to 6 years depending on how many miles it is driven and how much use it gets. Those original batteries aren't really even available anymore ($7500 to replace), and although you can get them, why would you? The new battery systems are much better, as they last longer, charge up quicker, and don't wear out so fast. Of course, when you have a classic car you need to keep it all original, but why would you in this case?
Another interesting point is that just because a car is old doesn't make it a classic. It might be legally or as per the definition a classic, but no one really wants to buy one at an antique auto auction, nor does anyone wish to restore that particular model of automobile. Do you see that point as well? It is a decent and relevant question to ask if these hybrid cars will ever become classic automobiles in the way we think of today's classic cars. My guess is that some models will such as the Tesla Roadster and other specialty hybrids will, but your typical hybrid car will not. Of course, that's just a prediction and only time can tell.
Now then, I was at the Don Laughlin Automobile Museum and Laughlin Nevada, and there were hybrid automobiles from the 1940s through 1960s, and they were considered classics and on display. Rightfully so I might add, and yet, it seems so hard to imagine a Toyota Prius as a museum piece in the future - although certainly, that car does hold a place in automotive history, but; will it be respected in the future by classic automotive enthusiasts? I bet Toyota hopes it will, and perhaps there are those who have older Toyota Prius automobiles who were holding onto them for just that reason. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.
Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Auto Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/
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