De Tomaso Rowan

The De Tomaso Rowan was an experimental electric city car designed in 1967 by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro and built by Carrozzeria Ghia.

As one of the earliest attempts at a small electric vehicle, it stood out not only for its battery-powered drivetrain but also for its striking, forward-looking design.

A compact supermini, the Rowan was conceived as a two-door urban car able to seat five passengers despite its modest footprint. It featured a left-hand-drive layout and a sleek, modern shape that combined gentle curves with crisp edges.

The white-silver exterior contrasted sharply with a vivid red leather interior, underscoring its futuristic character.

Giugiaro—still at the beginning of a career that would make him one of the most influential designers of the century—infused the Rowan with themes that would later define his work: clean surfaces, functional elegance, and an eye for practical innovation.

Although small, the Rowan offered an unexpectedly roomy and bright cabin, hinting at the possibilities for future urban EVs.

Decades ahead of mainstream interest in electric mobility, the De Tomaso Rowan demonstrated the potential of battery-powered transportation at a time when few manufacturers were exploring it seriously.

A blend of bold styling, advanced ideas, and Ghia’s craftsmanship, it remains one of the more memorable concept cars of the 1960s.