Combining the past and the future might not be a new business model, but Ford Motor Company’ upcoming Eluminator EV Truck looks just like an old 1978 Ford F-100 truck. The shape is 1978, but the guts of the electric truck are all about 2021 and beyond. The Eluminator is not the rebirth of a classic muscle car because it looks like a 1978 Ford F-100 truck. There is now also fresh news that Ford is backing out of a deal with Rivian Automotive, Inc. for the development of a joint vehicle.

Ford had invested $500 million into Rivian back in 2019, long before it became a public company.

Truck collectors could go back to their childhood to buy a modernized version what they would otherwise not be able to get in 2021. Ford’s press release of November 2, 2021 was really all about Ford, and the news about Ford and Rivian may have no impact at all on Ford’s Eluminator. In fact, this may be up to Ford’s enthusiastic customers themselves to build — at least in part.

The good news is that the changes in the Rivian and Ford relationship may not have any impact at all on the Eluminator. The bad news is that we just have no way as of now to know.

CNBC has reported that Ford and have canceled plans to jointly develop an electric vehicle. Rivian was a partner to co-develop an electric vehicle dating back to 2019 after Ford invested $500 million. Ford spokesman Ian Thibodeau confirmed in his email to CNBC that the joint development plans have been scrapped. His email also said that Ford still retains ties with Rivian, including a 12% stake in Rivian.

CNBC’s Phil LeBeau said on CNBC’s live TV that most industry insiders already were not expecting these two companies to be a combined entity making electric vehicles under joint development nor for platform sharing. After all, they both have their own designs and teams that they both plan to grow in the years ahead.

Mark Rushbrook global director of Ford Performance set us all straight remarking two days after the announcement of Ford’s press release. On the November 2, 2021 press release he said:

“We don’t have a current way to put the F-100 Eluminator into production so we’re letting our passionate customers build the electric vehicle of their dreams, ordering online to build something special in their own garage.”

Here’s what Ford showcased mechanically in the press release:

“All-electric Ford F-100 Eluminator concept truck showcases the benefits of electric propulsion using a 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition battery electric powertrain and twin front and rear electric traction motors that produce a combined 480 horsepower and 634 lb.-ft. of torque.”

Part No. M-9000-MACH-E, the electric motor behind this electric revolution, is currently available at authorized Ford parts warehouse dealers for a retail price of $3,900.00. “The Eluminator electric crate motor from the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition produces 281 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque.”

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. With cars costing tens of thousands, it remains to be seen if new electric vehicles will attract the capital of classic car buyers to fit within the collectibles theme or not. And as we have opined before, there is at least a case to make that electrifying the old classics by removing their old inefficient gas-fueled engines could be a way to save the cars for generations ahead.

Zero emissions is the future that Ford has invested in. Ford is offering this crate engine that is to be used in an industry it says generates approximately $50 billion annually in accessories, hot rods, and off-road customization.

Here’s what Ford said best as only they could earlier in November:

“The fact is, electric performance is fun, and as the industry moves toward electric vehicles, motorsports and the performance aftermarket will too,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance. “Just as Ford is committed to leading the electric revolution on the product side, Ford Performance is equally committed to winning on the performance and motorsports front.”

As the world moves towards EV style concepts Ford has invested tooling and time into how they want to move forward in this new environmental world. Collectors can choose to enter into the future of emissions standards and strict regulations with an honest to goodness brand new crate engine into a salvaged 1970s Ford truck. As the world electrifies Ford has gifted collectors the tooling to ride into it with a classic Ford truck.