The Edsel came in with a bang in 1958 but went out with a whimper in 1960. It was an expensive lesson for Ford Motor Co., which lost hundreds of millions of dollars on a car that no one seemed to want or buy. The rarest of the lot are the 1960 models, of which only 2,846 saw the light of day, including 1,288 Ranger 4-door sedans like this one. We’re told it runs well, but is rough cosmetically, including some rust in the rear quarter panels. But it could suffice as a weekend driver for a while. Located near Denver, Colorado, this running project is available here on craigslist for $7,500. Thanks for the latest tip, Barn Finder Mike F.
In 1958, the new Edsels were different than the Fords and Mercurys that they borrowed from. Their most noticeable feature was the vertical “horse collar” grille that wasn’t seen as beautiful in the eyes of many. As first-year sales were disappointing, that feature was toned down in 1959, and the cars shared more corporate equipment. Other than some exaggerated sheet metal differences in 1960, the last Edsels were basically Galaxie 500s. 118,000 Edsels were built in 1958-60, but Ford’s break-even was much higher.
Ford cut the 1960 Edsel models down to two: Ranger sedans, hardtops, and convertibles, and Villager wagons. They were only on the market for two months before Ford announced they were throwing in the towel. The seller’s Ranger is perhaps a survivor, though it needs work, and the odometer stopped working at 69,000 miles. Under the hood lies a 292 cubic inch “Y-block” V8 supported by an automatic transmission. As a runner, recent work has been done to ensure that, including a tune-up, an alternator replacing the generator, a new battery and tires, and some brake work.
We’re told the Ranger is complete, including the Edsel lettering. The windshield is cracked, but one from a Galaxie will fit. The rear quarters will need work, and the front seat has a blanket over it, suggesting the upholstery is used up. With such low production numbers, these last-year Edsels don’t turn up very often – in any condition. This could be a drive-it-while-you-fix-it car, and the seller would consider a Foxbody Mustang in trade.
Tha 60 Edsel had the most bizarre tail lights of any car ever made. It is like they took lights off of another model and forced them to fit.
It is amazing how many of these seem to have survived
Funnier still, the unused stock of those taillights was used on the Mercury Comet a few years later. They were mounted at an angle so they didn’t look as weird, but they’re definitely the very same units.
The Comet taillights are similar but not the same as the Edsel units. At first glance they might seem identical but an image search comparison shows otherwise.
“At [the Comet’s] debut, the split grille was replaced by one more in keeping with Mercury’s design themes, but the canted elliptical taillights, first seen on the Edsel prototype, were used and carried the “E” (Edsel) part number on them. While the short-lived 1960 Edsels used elliptical-shaped taillights, the lenses used on both cars differed in length and width. Certain other parts from the 1959 Edsel parts bin, including the parking lights and dashboard knobs, were used on the first-year Comet. Keys for the 1960 and 1961 Comets were shaped like Edsel keys, with the center bar of the “E” removed to form a “C””
Joe–Actually you are wrong. The Comet taillight lenses aren’t shared with the Edsel. The Edsel units are a tad bigger and wider. I thought they were the same like everyone else, but they are not.
no the lights where used on the first comets in 1960 when comet was really a edsel didn’t become a mercury till 1961
This is a nice $2500 ’60 Ranger.
It’s no better than a #4 driver, if the ad is correct. If checked out and okay, maybe somewhere between your estimate and the ask?
saw on just like this in a walmart parking lot about a month ago in central Pa, and fyi edsels started in 57 not 58
Edsel was introduced September 1957 as 1958 models.
your right in the 50s new models always came out in September so 1958 model year came out in September 1957
Jeez, these are ugly
What is Mid Century Modern gone wild? At least the rear view. The front view looks a lot like a Pontiac, not ugly. Certainly, more typical than the 58 or 59 Edsel.
Not ugly to ME. Essentially a 1960 Ford Galaxie with a MUCH nicer-looking front end, but tail-lights which seem.”grafted on” to essentially Ford sheet metal. From the side, the 1960 Edsel is a decent-looking car with not quite enough trim.
Hold on to that rear bumper, even when dented: It’s a one-year-only Edsel-specific part. Note the four vertical ridges in extension of the vertical tail lights. The Galaxie bumper will fit, but has no ridges.
I always liked the 1960 Edsel. But this one is a bit rough for the price. It’s a “beater” as it sits, yet too expensive to restore when much nicer ones are out there. I agree with the $2,500 price, despite its rarity.
I’ve seen multiple stories that the ’60 Edsel was only ever meant to be a placeholder. What it was a placeholder *for* differs; either it was just to run out the dealer contracts which were until the end of calendar 1959 or until the Comet came on the market – it had been intended not just as *an* Edsel but *the* Edsel, and no plans were ever made for a ’61 full-size Edsel.
Now I know where Rivian got their idea for their headlights on their cars.