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.
Rex, I’m having trouble with a number of issues on this `60 Edsel. The body is original, and that’s about it. The 406 V8, the wheels, the 4-speed and the interior are all fashioned to someone’s preferences, just not mine. If I were in the market for one, I’d keep looking. I happen to be a showroom stock lover, and `60 Edsels don’t grow on trees. The price is a bit out of line too, but partially understandable with what he put into the engine. Glad it was his money and not mine.
Thanks Will. As Shakespeare said (to paraphrase) “To each, his own”.
But, I’m with you in that I like showroom stock originality with my classic cars. Sure, if someone wants to hotrod a car with a 460/4 speed, why not go the Mustang/Camaro/Tri-5 route, and leave an ultra-rare Edsel out of it?
But, people (men) do weird things with old cars. My newly-acquired ’65 Electra 4-door hardtop is mostly stock, but the previous owner couldn’t resist putting glass packs on the thing, so I sound like some idiot teenager as I’m driving a luxury 4-door. I will be fixing that.
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.
In the Andy Griffith Show “The Return of Barney Fife” (Season 6, Episode 17), Barney drives up in a 1958 Edsel Pacer convertible. Andy asks him if it’s a 1960 and Barney says it’s a 1960 with a 1961 grill (oops).
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!
The modifications will expand the audience that will be interested in it. Edsels, like many other brands discontinued long ago generate little interest and are relegated to niche players. Even if a car isn’t restored to stock, it should be viewed as a win, this car has been saved, it will find a nice home and live long into the future, a fate unlike what most of the remaining Edsels that haven’t survived in good condition.
Steve R
FoMoCo introduced the 406 FE engine in 1962 to compete with the Chevy 409.
Ford took their High Performance 390 FE blocks, which used mechanical camshafts exclusively and bored them 0.080″ over to yield 406 cu.in.
A few late 1963 406 engines left the factory with cross bolted main bearing caps, a feature standard on the 427 FE which debuted in 1964.
Is the engine in this Edsel a true, ’62-’63 406?
Close inspection would be needed to verify that.
The cast iron headers are nice, as is the 4 speed manual.
Like everything about this gem. Maybe the seller will get the $32k ask, but he needs the right buyer. High twenties might do the deal.
I’ve always been fascinated by (as opposed to “in love with”) Edsels. I’ve seen elsewhere some photos of racing versions — apparently a couple were driven in NASCAR, another few in drags, and Bill Stroppe had an off-road gem. But I’ve never seen one hot-rodded for the street. Especially like this! I think this one is brilliant and daring. There are, of course, quite a few original Edsels out there, but to see a modded one suits me just fine.
Dad and I put a 429 into a 1959 Edsel Ranger about 8 years ago. Put a banner on the windshield that said “EDZILLA”. It was a fun “rat rod” with a good patina on it. My nephew now owns EDZILLA.
Now I know where the early mercury comet got those canted tail lights!!
Though the lenses were similar, the ‘60-‘61 Comet tail lights were slightly smaller. Go figure.
The inner two lights on the ’60 Edsel originally had clear lenses and they were the backup lights. Someone has swapped out the clears for the reds, and this isn’t the first ’60 Edsel I’ve seen that’s undergone that transformation.
i really don’t think i would have spent whatever it cost to set up that engine to put in this car. i really doubt he will pull 32k out of it.
Oddly, interesting 60 Edsel. That transplanted 406 was just as short-lived as the one year 410, and I’ve rarely seen them. No PS no PBs, but hey it’s got a 4 speed.
Actually the 406 was produced for about a year and a half- from early ‘62 to mid ‘63.
The Mercury branded 410 was offered for the ‘66 and ‘67 model years- both were, of course, tweaks of the 390 FE
The one year 410 that HC refers to is probably the MEL 410 that was only offered in the ’58 Edsel Corsair and Citation.
Restomod for sure, that is one cool car would love to own it if I did not have four specialty vehicles already. Notice the Hurst emblem on the back.
Hurst came out with that emblem about 20 years ago. It’s cheap plastic. I worked at a place that sold Hurst and they had these on the wall behind the counter with their other small parts. They got a lot of attention from customers, but when they found out what they were made of 90% put it back. We were told these were a copy of a metal emblem from the 1960’s, though I’ve never seen one, even in pictures or old catalogs.
Steve R
I think this is very cool – looks great, and a bit different. To those who like their cars all original, I guess I’d ask the question of how much they get driven. I have a 1947 Chevrolet Fleetmaster, original, unrestored, great patina, but it is not an easy cruiser. Limited power, heavy imprecise steering, “brakes”. as a friend of mine says about cars of this vintage, you don’t drive them, you operate them. I like the originality , and for truly rare, valuable cars, I get it absolutely, but for many others, I’d rather see them modified and on the road then bone stock and never driven. However, to each their own, some are happy to just have them sit and be admired.
I have a 1970 E Type I’m going to be getting back on the road after many years of a friend’s ownership (he pulled the engine in 2010) and that’s getting an aluminum radiator, aftermarket AC, a five speed, probably triple webers, in preparation for a cross country road trip.
I see why he wants that money, for all that was done to the Edsel, but may not receive it, a reasonable offer? I like all about this car except the gaudy chrome wheels. Original wheels of something less flashy? I do like the taillights. They remind me of the era, also the bowling alley in “The Big Lebowski” movie. The scene outside the alley with the nihilists at night.
I’ve just never heard much about the short-lived Ford, 406. The 410s in FE Mercurys were one or 2 year only engines 66 and 67 and pretty much a similar version of the FE 390. And there may have been an earlier version of the MEL 410. They are so uncommon, and theyre easily confused.
Unusual car with unusual mods. I like it alot. But then I like different. A guy the that worked at Bill’s Backyard Cars in Amarillo had an Edsal 2 door sedan that he was doing a restomod to. But the wheels he picked were perfect for the car. (a silver or light gray IIRC) He chose the new at the time (10 years ago) Cragar Black Chrome wheels. They looked so cool on that car.
I know it is just a neat touch.
THANK YOU, Will Fox!!! This would be a HARD NO for me, because it has been turned into a hot rod with awful wheels to boot!! I loved the 1960 Edsel from the moment it came out, except for the rear, which is too obviously a thinly modified ’60 Ford Galaxie — even still sculpted for the Ford horizontal tail-lights. But the sides are nice-looking, and that FRONT!… what a beautiful and graceful way to shed the horse-collar grille! I liked the ’58 Edsel, but trying to graft its unusual styling-cues onto the all-new 1959 body shell was an utter ugly disaster! But the 1960 was a very nice recovery into a beautiful car. All of that said, I would want this in a different colour and FOUR DOORS!!! and above all, a near-museum grade low mileage car with everything just as it left the showroon in late 1959, ash trays and lighters never used, original owner’s manual in crisp condition, clean throughout, and factory air-conditioning, automatic shift on a small block V-8. I would have to rob a bank to GET it; but as the 1950 popular song said, “I Can Dream, Can’t I?”
What happened to my comment? It POSTED… and now it’s GONE!
It ended up twice in the spam filter. I just released it.
JO
Oh! — My comment has RETURNED! Thank you!
Harrison it may have been the HAR- N- that did it with the spam filter. It doesn’t take much, as I have discovered. Innocent comments trip it sometimes.
At the last second I saw that one letter was missing from my email address, and I tried to catch it, but it posted anyway. And it still was there a couple of hours later, so I thought it had cleared. But I guess they have a “filter” which removes comments where an inadvertent error has been made. THANKS, Dave in Pa! How are things in Schuylerville?
The good news is that we have had good tenants for some years, living 250 miles away. I only get up there a few times a year now to do work. The most recent tenant is one who installed new furnaces 30 years ago. The rent is very low, but he makes up for that as resident handyman. It would have cost me a couple of thousand to pay for his labor, and we have an account for materials at a hardware (Curtis Lumber) half a block away. He uses that to do repairs and paint. Especially good since we are older. More reason to keep the old property for now.
Wow. That’s a lot of money for a really ugly car
I do not find the 1960 Edsel to be ugly at all! I especially LIKE its looks. Now the 1959 Edsel is another story! By the way, Araknid78, what does that “78” stand for? I use that, too, so I’m curious…
I used to own a 1978 Fiat 124 Spider. A spider is a type of arachnid. My car had a license plate that said ARAKNID78. People thought it was very clever.
Whoa – BF has a real love affair with the 1960 Edsel. This makes the 5th one this year!
Yes; isn’t it GREAT?