Talk about a twofer! Not only is this 1960 Edsel Ranger rare, but it has also been nicely modded for some serious performance! Best of all, much of the original character of this seldom-seen FoMoo product has been preserved. This is truly a unique find, and we have Sam61 to thank for its discovery. Those with an interest will find this hot rod rarity in Leitchfield, Kentucky, and it’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $32,000.
The Edsel’s (’58-’60) plight is an oft -told tale, and a ’60 edition, especially one that’s as fine a find as this example is, is hen’s teeth rare. As the seller states, this Ranger two-door sedan is one of only 777 assembled for the ’60 model year, which spanned just three months. Actually, the Edsel’s ’60 model year ended before 1960 started, as Ford pulled the plug on its market-confused model in mid-November ’59. The entire Edsel production volume for that abbreviated year only amounted to 2,571 units! All were assigned the “Ranger” model designation, and the body styles included two-door sedans, hardtops, and convertibles (only 76!) and four-door sedans, hardtops, and station wagons, which were known as the “Villager”. The Edsel’s 1960 styling, always a subjective call, was a significant departure from ’59, with the front end now looking more like a Pontiac and the rear end with its projecting and vertically placed taillights, looking like a tossed-together late ’80s Korean model. I’d suggest this Edsel’s condition is not to be denied, and the seller adds, “body is 98% rust-free as far as I can tell…top is original paint…bottom has had a repaint…paint on bottom is 2 out of 10 in my opinion…” The comment about the body’s finish is surprising, as the listing images present it in a more favorable light than just a 2 out of 10. While I’ll admit that the wheels aren’t my favorite, they definitely work and give this car’s native clunky styling some attitude.
Originally powered by a 292 or a 352 CI V8 (or maybe even a 223 CI in-line six), this Ranger is rolling with a not-commonly-encountered 406 CI “FE” engine. The powerplant has received a market basket of mods with a cam, carburetor, intake manifold, headers, etc., and should provide some serious “go.” I recommend you review the listing for the full disclosure. Providing the rear wheel connection is a Top-Loader four-speed manual transmission. Curiously, the seller makes no mention of this car’s running or driving attributes.
There’s only one image of the interior, and its condition is in sync with the exterior’s. Besides the dash and upholstery’s condition, there are four standout items: the column-mounted tachometer, four-speed floor-mounted shift, racing seatbelts, and that really cool original steering wheel/horn ring assembly – glad to see that made the cut.
While the Edsel is one car that has never appealed to me, I dig this Ranger sedan! The seller claims ten years of ownership, so my thought is that he found an example that was in pretty sound condition to start as his base – no mean feat. And then, the search was on for a proper powerplant, and a short-lived 406 probably wouldn’t have come up on my radar, but what a great decision. My only concern here is the $32,000 asking price. What’s your thought on that matter: reasonable or not?
Now that’s a really nice/interesting car! If I was in the market
for something like this (American cruiser),I’d be going to look at it.
How come when I click on the craigslist link,it takes me to Facebook?
It’s fixed now, thx for pointing that out.
JO
What an ignominious fate to befall such a rare automobile. Oh well, there’s no putting that genie back in the bottle, I suppose.
I find this car oddly appealing (obviously, I’m more into Euro stuff). Maybe it’s the “Mayberry” aesthetic (Andy and Barney would rock this). It looks very well executed. I’m with Jim, I don’t like the wheels, but I’m not sure what would work instead. I also don’t like the tach, it’s…tacky. The stars-n-stripes motif doesn’t fit the otherwise period interior. I can’t comment on the price, I just don’t have a sense here. But, to quote so many before me, if I had lottery-winner money, I would definitely consider this one.
Folks,,, this is the coolest Edsel I’ve ever seen, except those tail lights freak me out, like some 1960s sci-fi alien eyes. The 4 speed is indeed unusual, I read no Edsels came from the factory with one. The closest was a column 3 speed, that I suspect here, and O/D. What’s really cool, is it kind of looks like 1960 Ford, that I like, with bizarre differences. I do wonder what motivated this person to do this. Edsel always conjures up bad feelings, even though it really was a heck of a car, just the wrong time. Coolest Edsel!!!
I’m with you on those taillights Howard, some of the villains on the early 60’s Lost in Space episodes have scarred us for life, along with Rod Serling and Lon Chaney’s creations. But hey we survived and grew up in a great era which can never be re-created. We witnessed space travel, the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, a Millenium and two USA 50-year anniversaries. Not to mention the most iconic cars, trucks and music ever created, which will live forever!