The SEMA Show returns in November and Volvo is looking to make a splash with a plug-in hybrid 1961 PV544, built by an all-female team led by Girl Gang Garage founder Bogi Lateiner.

Dubbed the Iron Maven, the customized coupe will marry old school styling with modern technology. In particular, the 415 hp (309 kW / 421 PS) plug-in hybrid will use a number of components from the S60 T8 Recharge Polestar Engineered.

Volvo is keeping details under wraps, but said the project is based on a ‘barn find’ PV544 that was discovered in Arizona.  It will be equipped with a Polestar Engineered suspension, modern vehicle control systems and a Sensus infotainment system. We can also expect “major modifications” including 3D-printed parts and handcrafted components.

Also Read: Volvo Celebrates the 70th Birthday of its Most Important Car Ever, the PV444

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That isn’t much to go on, but the project involves more than 150 women and is being aided by Volvo Technical Support teams in the United States and Sweden. This is an important aspect of the project as it highlight’s Volvo’s goal to increase the number of female technicians in their retail network.

It’s a male dominated industry and the company noted only nine percent of automotive repair and maintenance positions are held by women. That compares to the average gender split of 46 percent women in other industries.

Volvo is looking to bring more women into the field and is offering development programs, scholarships, and partnerships at training centers across the United States to help “spark a change for women in the automotive industry and provide real, lasting career opportunities.”

According to Lateiner, “There are so many incredibly talented women in the industry and there is strong interest when people are given an opportunity like this to learn. It is wonderful to work with Volvo Cars to make this build not only a reality, but also a concrete example of what the power of women working together can make possible.”

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