Ace of Base: 2021 Ford E-Series Cutaway

No, despite appearances, we haven’t taken complete leave of our senses. At least not until our road tester starts telling us in excruciating detail about how he wants to see the Genesis reunion later this year.

On the pickup truck side of Ford’s showroom, the cheapest way into a rig powered by the burly 7.3-liter V8 is via an Ace of Base F-250. That vehicle bears a price of $33,705 plus $2,045 for the hairy-chested eight-pot. The E-Series starts at just $33,265 … and carries the 7.3L as standard equipment.

Yes, there is the small matter of there not being any sheet metal aft of the driver’s compartment. Surely you’re handy with the welder and a pair of tin snips, right?

Joking aside, it’s telling that the E-Series (née Econoline) is no longer offered as a panel van, indicating that the Glass House has gone all-in on the Transit as their option for commercial van customers. Note well: the E-Series isn’t worthy of the brand’s 10-speed automatic, making do with a six-cog box. The mighty 7.3L V8 still makes 468 lb-ft of torque but is detuned slightly to 350 horsepower compared to the Super Duty’s 430 ponies.

Surprisingly, the bean counters at Ford looked under some couch cushions and found a bit of change to give the E-Series its first interior restyle since the Jurassic era. Its steering wheel is now taken from a modern F-150 and not a truck from the ‘90s. Those all-important gauges are F-150-sourced as well, bringing a modern look to a rig that’s used the same dials for eons. Two other observations: those HVAC controls are the same ones found in my father’s 1995 Aerostar and that radio (you can’t call it infotainment) seems to show up in precisely zero other North American Ford products.

Air conditioning is standard equipment, which is a good thing because so are vinyl bucket seats. The floor is covered in hose-it-out material, as well. Perhaps surprisingly, one will find a tilt/telescope steering wheel (no cruise, though) and a pair of USB ports. That chrome bumper shown above is optional, too.

Are we odd for profiling this half-a-van in today’s Ace of Base? Are all the F1 teams sulky at Ferrari right now? Does our editor love Fox-bodied Mustangs? The answer to all these questions is a resounding “yes.” However, it amuses your author greatly that the lowly E-Series packs a 7.3L V8 as standard kit … even if it’s a bit breezy around back.

[Images: Ford]

Not every base model has aced it. The ones which have? They help make the automotive landscape a lot better. Any others you can think of, B&B? Let us know in the comments and feel free to eviscerate our selections.

The model above is shown with American options and priced in American Dollars. Your dealer may sell for less.