Concept vehicles give designers a creative outlet to test out even the wildest ideas. While most concept cars almost never make it to the production line in their purest form, they often inspire their real-life counterparts, acting as a test bed for innovation. Some wild concepts have been built by The Blue Oval, including the little-known Ford MA Concept, which is an eco-friendly, aerodynamic kit car with a wild design.
The 2002 Ford MA nameplate was inspired by the Asian philosophy of “the space between,” which states that two concepts can exist in a symbiotic relationship with one another. In the case of the Ford MA, the vehicle showcased the space between the “emotional and rational, art and science.”
The MA Concept is not built from traditional steel, glass, and rubber. Some of its components are made of a composite from bamboo, carbon fiber, and aluminum, bolted together by titanium fasteners. The vehicle was designed to be built by the customer after being shipped in pieces, and did not need welding. The mid-engined two-seater vehicle was touted as being completely environmentally friendly thanks to its standard electric motor, although it left room for a small internal combustion engine should the customer desire. It also used recyclable components; in fact, 96 percent of its parts could be recycled.
The Ford MA Concept broke cover at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, displayed as part of an exhibit showing off the bodywork of Ford designer J. Mays. The vehicle was displayed both in its completed form and in pieces, showing viewers what the 500-piece kit contained. Currently, the concept vehicle resides in the Ford Heritage Collection, a testament to the forward-thinking, environmentally conscious designers that have been – and still are – a part of Ford’s history.
Of course, the MA Concept is not the only wild concept vehicle dreamed up by Ford. Take the 1999 Ford 021C, a strange but quirky concept that never made it to production. The Ford 24.7 pickup concept also recently resurfaced after being on ice for 25 years.
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