Talking “Future Classic” EVs with Tamara Warren
The esteemed automotive writer and founder of LeCar weighs in about EVs as vehicles for enthusiasts in my ongoing series.
Last week, I kicked off a micro series about EVs as potential “future classics” with some insight from auto buying expert Tom McParland. This topic originated from my semi-viral Threads post, seen below, about the potential value of 1st edition VW ID. Buzzes:
This week, I’ve reached out to Tamara Warren, an esteemed automotive journalist and all around awesome human who’s written for over 160 publications including The New York Times, Esquire, Road and Track, and Car and Driver, and is the former transportation editor at The Verge. She is the founder and CEO of Le Car, an editorial platform about cars and culture. Definitely follow her on social media to see all kinds of cool content and cooler cars.
Are there any EVs currently on sale or that have been on sale that you'd peg as future classics?
Tamara Warren: Early EV models will become classics, because they demonstrate an important forward thinking approach and innovation, which is usually what makes a vehicle important to collectors. The Tesla Roadster is now listed on the Hagerty Valuation site, though in the short term it's taken a hit. I'd add GM's EV1 and the Volt to that list, as well as the BMW i8. As more EVs come to market, they will be collectible not only because of their electric architecture, but because they become the dominant source of power for automobiles.
Should automakers try to develop mainstream EVs that get buyers more excited? If so, what should they build?
TW: I think there's no turning back from alternative power trains. Perhaps there may be unforeseen breakthrough in combustible engine development; you never know. Could other alternate forms of power such as hydrogen start to gain momentum? Sure. For now, China is leading and propelling EV development and as the global market expands, more brands will introduce both more conventional vehicles that happen to be EVs. It's all about timing, though. The VW ID Buzz generated a ton of excitement for its imaginative design and practical family friendly proportions, but it's a tough market at the moment for geopolitical reasons and infrastructure challenges. Because of the differing architecture, EVs shake things up in the design studios and allow designers to experiment with new forms and to toy with parameters on the current lineups.
If you could wave a magic wand, what type of car would you love to see electrified?
TW: I love vintage cars and I wish there was a low cost way to make retro mods electrified. Maybe my mom's old GLH Omni? The transition will eventually happen, but it will be much slower than we anticipated, and some car brands may not make it to the finish line with so much uncertainty in the marketplace.
I’m totally with you, Tamara, in wishing that it wasn’t so darn expensive to convert vintage cars into EVs. There are some brilliant companies out there doing the business, but it’s really only an endeavor for folks who’ve got major cash to spend. Still, maybe we can dream about someone fusing a GLH Omni body on top of my old BMW i3 skateboard? And speaking of BMW, I agree that the i8 has major future classic potential.
There’s still more to come in this series. Until then, what vintage car would you love to turn into an EV, if money were no object? Let me know in the comments.