The women who served in World War II as Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) will be honored by Ford with a one-of-a-kind custom 2021 Mustang Mach-E. The design of the electric car takes inspiration from the planes that the women piloted through the war, a list that includes B-26 and B-29 bombers among others. This car is the latest in a series of custom made vehicles that Ford has donated to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), raising more than $4 million for the cause.
The car will be auctioned off at the 2021 EAA AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on Thursday. Auction proceeds will go to supporting the EAA's initiative to provide young women and underserved youths with better access to careers in the aviation industry.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker has previously donated customized models to the auction before, including the 2019 "Old Crow" Mustang GT, 2018 Eagle Squadron Mustang and 2016 "Ole Yeller" Mustang.
"Ford is helping build the next generation of aviation through their support of EAA, AirVenture and The Gathering," EAA CEO and chairman of the board Jack J. Pelton said in a press release. "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."
During its short tenure, the all-volunteer WASP group was tasked with transporting war planes to U.S. Army bases around the world for combat use. The women flew over 60 million miles during the war and were disbanded at the end of 1944. Despite that service, the women of WASP weren't certified as military personnel until 1977.
The build started with a Mustang Mach-E Premium. Ford painted the vehicle with Iconic Silver paint and added a matte Shadow Black hood and rear with Bold Yellow and Oxford White stripes. Pony Badges, Mirror Caps and Mach-E 4X side badges come with Bold Yellow accents. The wheels also feature with sunny hue.
The custom Mustang Mach-E's paint scheme features military badging inspired by the planes that the volunteers flew. The U.S. Army Airforce Star badge is on both sides with the wings logo placed on the hood and fender. To honor the 38 volunteers who died in the service, the number 38 was placed on the front fascia, the rear bumper and inside the cabin.
The interior is also decked out with a Bold Yellow trim line across the dashboard and other yellow accents on the steering wheel, arm rests and floor mats. An interior tribute to the 38 pilots is stitched in black and yellow on the center console while the wings logo is stitched into the headrests. EAA AirVenture commemorative door sill plates round out the package.
Getting 346 horsepower, the Mustang Mach-E Premium delivers 428 pound-feet of torque and can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Ford estimates that the vehicle gets 300 miles of all-electric range. Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 safety and driver assist technology comes standard on the model, along with a 360-degree surround view camera.
