Jay Leno experienced electrorestimulation with the F-100 Elminator.

The power to keep classic cars running in a future where gasoline may be harder to come by or even banned is growing. Last year, Ford introduced an electric crate motor, dubbed the "Elminator," and demonstrated it in the F-100 restomod that Jay Leno recently test drove.

The Elminator is the same motor used in the Mustang Mach-E GT, which produces 281 hp peak power and 317 lb-ft of torque. Ford actually installed two of these motors in the F-100 driven by Leno to achieve acceleration rivaling that of modern sports cars.

Naturally, the merry man was impressed by the performance, but a bit disappointed by Ford's decision to remove the F-100's original gauges and replace them with the Mach-E GT's digital screen. Incidentally, Ford did not go it alone in building this machine. Ford worked with MLe Racecars of North Bend, Washington, which specializes in EV conversions for drag racing.

Right now, building something like the electric F-100 is not a cheap process. The motor alone costs $3,900. In addition, you need a battery, an inverter, and the necessary wiring, etc. As EVs become more mainstream, the price will settle down, and by that time a turnkey solution should be available, which Ford plans to provide. [Ford is not the only major automaker entering this space. Chevrolet is preparing its own electric crate motor, previewed in the 1962 C-10 and 1977 K5 Blazer. There are also a growing number of tuning companies offering EV conversions for all types of vehicles.