I have always been fascinated by the ’60 Edsel; the ’58 and ’59? Not so much so. I think it’s the fact that they were only built for about two months (Sep. to Nov. 1959) before FoMoCo decided to pull the plug on what has typically been considered one of the American automotive industry’s biggest oops. Looking more like a Pontiac, at least the front end, than what stood in as the previous year’s Edsel, they are truly a seldomly-seen automobile. This 1960 Ranger two-door hardtop is located in Renton, Washington and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,484 with the reserve not yet met. There is a BIN option of $12,500 available.
As rare as a ’60 Edsel is, we do cover them here on BF from time to time such as in this post that I wrote back in March. And as scarce as that two-door sedan is – just 777 built, today’s Ranger two-door hardtop is rarer still as it is one of only 295 assembled during that very truncated ’60 model year production run.
Originally finished in white, this Ranger was repainted in a shade of “Root Beer Brown”, why, one can only imagine. Anyway, the brown is flaking away and reveals a body that is in fair shape. There is some rust, such as in the lower passenger side fender leg but things appear to be pretty straight overall. There’s a slight dent in the passenger door, the rear bumper is bent but most of the stainless trim is still attached. The seller states that his father bought this car 30+ years ago and it still exudes a lot of originality. Note the spinner wheel covers, they’re hard-to-find pieces but all four are included along with an original pair of fender skirts.
The interior is going to need some help with its torn upholstery and dissolving door panels. It also appears that the carpet has been pulled up though the image isn’t decisively clear as to what, if anything, is going on with the floors. The all-steel dash and left of the steering column ignition switch are standard early ’60s Ford fare. Of note, however, is the A/C system, the seller claims that this Edsel is one of only 50 so equipped.
The seller tells us, “It runs and drives but being as old as it is I suggest having the brakes checked, rebuild the carburetor, change the fuel lines and fuel pump and it should be as reliable as any 62-year-old car on the road today“. And that running and driving occurs thanks to a 185 gross HP, 292 CI V8 “Y-Block” engine working in concert with a “Mile-O-Matic” automatic transmission.
Other than the early 90s Korean car taillight treatment, a ’60 Edsel seems to have more in common with a ’60 Ford Galaxie than the previous year’s Edsel, and a lot of the “Edsel Uniqueness” has been excised on this model year. Still, this is an exceedingly rare car and is an integral part of one of American motoring’s most interesting stories and biggest flops. Considering its current condition, a full restoration back to its original state would be in order, wouldn’t you agree?
Any Edsel experts out there in BF land? I would think the Edsel enthusiasts would actually know how many ’60 Ranger Hardtops are still in existence, and I’d be curious as to what that number is.
Ford should buy this car and restore it.
Washington sure is pretty when it’s not raining.
Ha! Thanks for that, I may be moving there,,
I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest all of my 53 years and it was once a great place to live, but over the past 5 years or so it’s gone to hell in a hand basket.
As soon as I am able I’m heading east, south east to be precise, to areas where a dollar just might be worth $.80 cents versus out west where it’s lucky to be worth a dime. Smmfh.
Only if you plan to be homeless
This Edsel keeps popping up for sale.
Seems the demand is limited.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/winnipeg/rare-1960-edsel/1622810907
I’m a Chevy guy, but that is a neat car. There has to be an Edsel preservationist out there somewhere who could do this car justice!
An Edsel data tag decoder I found online says that the HM code on the tag means this car was in fact “Alaskan Gold Metallic” with a white roof when new. The lighter gold under the flaked off spots is probably the original paint.
2-door hardtops may be rare but FWIU there are more ’60 Edsel convertibles now than Ford ever built, because it’s so easy to convert a Ford if you have the body parts from a junker Edsel.
Pile of crap new. Still a pile. One of Fords biggest disasters. Then they bring out the Pinto and EXP.
By all means, don’t buy it!
I just recently started liking the ’60 Ford and really like this Edsel. The roof looks like the Starliner. It looks like all the hard to find trim is there, all you need is 30K to restore it…
My uncle had a nice green and white ’60 Ford when I was a kid. I remember pulling up behind one of these ’60 Edsels and not knowing what the heck it was. It looked like my Uncle Tip’s ’60 Ford, but those tail lights? Wha??? In fairness, the stylists were pretty limited in their options to warm over such a distinctive car as the ’60 Ford. Especially the rear end tail light treatment.
I agree: the ’60 is my favorite, even though it’s pretty obviously all Ford.
These always seemed mysterious when I was a kid and these roamed the roads as late models…They had a mystique. Like the sinister looking Mopars from 57- 61.
Especially spooky was the rear of the ’58 Edsel wagon.
I think Edsel for ’60 did a better job of masking it’s Ford origins than Mercury did in ’61-’62.
“Other than the early 90s Korean car taillight treatment,”
Ironic considering the horizontal taillights on the ’58 have been used on everything from the ’70 full size Pontiac, Corolla, 95-02 Cavalier and almost every bloody SUV, CUV or sedan on offer today.
Great piece.
This hardtop is a heck of a lot more attractive than a 60 Edsel 2 door sedan, as well as the 58 – 59 Edsels, even if it is really just a 60 Ford. I’d rather have this!
Well, it appears they finally pulled a pretty car out of that pile of pony cr*p. I swear that the front end looks like the grandfather to a 1967-1969 Barracuda.
The seller should have capitalized on the Chevy term “BUBBLETOP” maybe get more bidders —-LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
“End of the line” in more ways than one.
Over my 70 years there are numerous cars I didn’t care for but eventually many of them sort of grew on me. The Edsel’s never grew on me, and that’s not likely to change. That being said, I hope it does get that needed restoration!
60’s are my favorites, but the 58 and 59’s weren’t bad looking cars. I have seen some restomodded 58-60’s and they look really nice. A guy in my town had a warehouse full of them with four 60 convertibles in the mix. All restored, beautiful cars. He died and they were auctioned off.
$12K for this one considering the body work necessary to repair and repaint is a bit of a reach. Too much for too little.