One thing the Ford Mustang has been good at in its many years of production is being the basis for one-off special editions. Because the Mach-E is a Mustang, it makes sense to start seeing those concepts appear on the all-electric Mustang. What you’re looking at here is the first one of those types of concepts.
Honoring the sacrifices of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, Ford is showing off a 2021 Mustang Mach-E inspired by the volunteer female pilots and the planes that they commanded in World War II.
“It was hard not to get a little teary-eyed as we put the finishing touches on this vehicle,” said Kristen Keenan, Ford designer who worked on the project. “I have never worked on a memorial project before. Commemorating this group of women through the vehicle design was an honor.”
The Women Airforce Service Pilots had the task of transporting war planes to U.S. Army bases around the world from their production facilities. The group flew over 60 million miles during World War II, but they weren’t officially recognized as active military personnel until 1977.
The Mach-E is pained silver and has yellow accents. It sports the Army Airforce Star on both sides, the wings logo on the hood and fender, and the number 38 on the front fascia, rear bumper, and inside the cabin. Why 38? That’s the number of women volunteers who flew these aircraft.
The one-off will be revealed at the 2021 Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture show on Thursday in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Additionally, and somewhat more importantly, Ford is auctioning off the Mach-E with the proceeds going to EAA’s initiative to provide young women and underserved youths with more access to a career in aviation.
Ford has a history of working with EAA, and has donated 12 custom, aviation-themed vehicles to auction off. So far Ford has raised more than $4 million for the charity. This is the first electric car that the company is auctioning off.
“Ford is helping build the next generation of aviation through their support of EAA, AirVenture and The Gathering,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “This project not only will be a highlight of The Gathering, its impact will help EAA reach young adults who are pursuing their own dreams of flight.”
Previous special Mustangs donated to EAA include “Old Crow” in 2019, Eagle Squadron in 2018, “Ole Yeller” in 2016, and Mustang Apollo Edition in 2015. While all of those were gas-powered Mustangs, we expect more Mustang Mach-Es to enter service in events like this for auction.
While there are a few people — maybe you — who think that the Mustang Mach-E isn’t a real Mustang, we’ve driven it and we think it’s fun. Mustangs are supposed to be fun, and the Mach-E delivers that fun in spades. In fact, in a few years it might be the only Mustang that Ford sells, if it eventually stops producing new internal combustion engines.
Builds like this demonstrate that Ford is serious about Mach-E and are serious about it being a Mustang.
If you’re heading to the airshow be sure to check it out.
