The demise of Ford Motor Company’s short-lived and ill-fated Edsel brand was not as simple as a controversial grille. Ford (and Chrysler with the DeSoto) learned quickly what it would take decades for GM to deal with: the market will only sustain so many brands when there is a substantial price and content overlap. Factor in a short-lived economic slump and unreasonably high expectations for its new brand, and you have one of the industry’s great cautionary tales. On the other hand, the car was mostly decent, finicky “Teletouch” shift mechanism on the 1958 models aside. If there’s one Edsel you might not even recognize, however, it’s the 1960 model; Edsel introduced it on October 15, 1959, produced 2,946 cars, and then called it quits for good on November 19, 1959. That’s one month of production. The 1960 Edsel Ranger was very similar to a 1960 Ford, but you’re bound to have the only one like it at your local car meet. Barn Finder T.J. spotted this two-door hardtop (one of 295 made) here on Marketplace in Scott City, Missouri, with an asking price of $28,500.
Who knows what Ford was copying when it introduced its 1958 Edsel and its bold vertical grille, but it was obvious that Ford took inspiration from the 1959 Pontiac for the nose of the 1960 Ranger. They were a little more hesitant about it, as it was a one-piece affair and not a true “split grille” like the Pontiac had. If you are going to copy something, however, it’s not a bad idea to copy from the Pontiac that started the “Wide Track” era.
Being a Ford in almost everything but name, the engine compartment will look familiar to anyone who’s seen a 1960 Galaxie. This Ranger had “high-stepping performance” with three engine choices, the top dog being this 300-horsepower “Super Express” 352, which was a $230.80 option. Doing the shifting was the optional “Dual-Power Drive” three-speed automatic, which was the same Cruise-O-Matic you’d find in a Galaxie or a Thunderbird. The seller says that this Ranger has been restored, although I’d say it was done some time ago. Notice the air conditioning compressor; it appears that someone at some point added an aftermarket unit, which will be nice if you’re enjoying your Edsel in those Missouri summers. Also notice the neat “Edsel” windshield washer bag located on the passenger-side firewall, a rare piece for certain.
The seller says that more information and pictures are available upon request, but he does say that the car has new upholstery and new tires, and while the upholstery doesn’t seem to quite match factory illustrations, it’s close enough in spirit. I’d lose the fuzzy dice, personally.
Even when designing a model that lasted one month, Edsel couldn’t completely give up on its vertical motif; these upright taillights and backup lights are the last vestiges of the only thing most people seem to remember of the Edsel brand. That also means that Ford had to stamp a completely different upper quarter panel and tail panel to accommodate them, which is one of those things that makes you realize why Henry Ford II was reticent to approve the new Mustang in April 1964: the Edsel was a staggering money-loser. That doesn’t matter today, because the 1960 Edsel is a nice-looking collector car with rarity on its side. Is it worth $28,500 as a result? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Didn’t see many of these in the Badger, and the ones we did see, we thought were Fords from Canada, hey, known for crazy knockoffs of our treasured makes, although they probably see it differently. It’s tough to explain what was going on in 1960. Not sure why, but seemingly a turning point in car styling, to excess. It’s as if every panel had to have a piece of chrome, and those tail lights were right out of the latest Hollywood sci-fi movie. It really is a beautiful car, and shows how far a car company would go for sales.
Key details regarding the Edsel in Canada include:
Production: The Oakville Assembly plant in Ontario produced 7,440 Edsels (1958-1959 models).
Sales Volume: In its first year, 4,935 Edsels were sold in Canada. Approximately 2,505 were sold for the 1959 model year.
Distinction: Unlike the U.S. where they were separate, Canadian Edsels were often handled by existing Ford dealers.
Unique Features: Canadian-built Edsels often included unique engine colors (such as 292 V8s), white steering columns, and variation in upholstery compared to U.S. models.
1960 Model Year: Very few 1960 models were produced, and, like convertibles and wagons, they were often imported from the U.S..
One of the “fleet” of 3 Edsels, one of each year…this one passed on thru three generations of one family ..great fine..blast to drive..
Always love seeing and hearing about your Edsels, Al. Should you ever decide to part with any, please bring them here!
An Edsel is an Edsel is an Edsel. I have seen people try to make them look snazzy and custom but an Edsel is an Edsel is an Edsel
This car really taps three of my hot items:
* orphan car
* starliner coupe
* rarity
And, drop dead gorgeous to boot! Nice find TJ and write-up Aaron!
Thanks!
Howards comment brings one thing to mind, was the Edsel offered here in Canada
I like this body style! Though the Edsel was all Ford under the skin in ’60, it was a good effort for a flat-lining make. I was rather surprised though, the Ranger was originally the low man on the Edsel totem pole, but in ’60 it was the only model (except the wagon) and this looks decidedly uplevel. The only thing I’d probably change are those wiry hubcaps, I’d go “wireless” with spinners.
..Agreed! Especially since the OEM Edsel styled 3-bar Spinner Wheelcovers are so attractive, and relatively plentiful out there.
I love the “space age” styling. If I owned
a mid-century modern home, this would be perfect for parking in the carport.
You have to dig that rear view of this car! Those Starliner bodies were gorgeous!
I saw one yesterday in tan , in perfect original shape, on Charles Pheonix’s post. A ” marvel of moderna”.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18PNe4We3M/
I mean mint green!
Cool, the color matches the house.
They should have started with this model, it’s not as drastic as the ’58. They could have led into the more unique styles of the grills like the earlier models after they made a name for themselves.
You would have to really appreciate an oddball breed like this to be willing to shell out $28K for this.
Get real. It is one of only 295 produced… don’t be a hater for no reason
Sounded pretty real to me. Edsels were odd balls. Just look at the sales record.
Doesn’t sound like the words of a hater.
The ‘60 edsel is cool car, and an oddball. Don’t think I’ve ever seen one before.
Very Cool!
I HAVE A WARM SPOT FOR EDSELS. I HAVE A 1958, 1959, AND A 1960. THIS IS AN ATTRACTIVE BODY STYE WITH THE STARLINER REAR. GLASS. I WOUD LIKE TO ADD THIS TO MY COLLECTION, BUT THE SALES PRICE SHOUD BE CLOSER TO $6,500 FOR ME. GOOD LUCK WITH THE SALE..
$6500 for a two door hardtop that is one of only 295 made? LOL
Buy it and show me the receipt? don’t argue about it….Buy it
3rd 1 that’s come up for sale in a month. low #s but not a good-looking piece. if they want to sell better lower the price.
I think people are nuts for what they want for a $3000 car.
Are you living in 1985?
Yes price wise,,,,,,,
No. 1950’s were better. I get a kick out of what some people think was a long time ago. 1985 was just last week for me.
But those tail lights wow ! Edsel would be appalled ! Think 40 Ford Deluxe coupe .
I learned to drive in the family 1960 Ford Country Squire and loved those gunsights on the front fenders. Unfortunately the wagon had a 2 barrel on the 352 and, just like the song, I was outrun on the CT Thruway by a friend’s Rambler!
The upscale touches on this car, like chrome everywhere and the skirts, kick up the visuals,No a/c back in the 60’s though , and this dash looks the same as the Ford, as I remember it. (I can remember anything, whether it happened or not.)
Nicest Edsel I’ve ever seen. Except for those taillights, not for me.
I like the 300 hp 352 under the hood, ‘Super Express’ indeed.
352 FE platform could go to 428 cid drop-in. Had one … ZoomO
Yup, both FE’s. The 352 already in there save’s effort. 300 hp won’t match the power of a built 390 or even a stock 428 but it will get around quite a few obstacles, quickly.
I have always loved and admired the 1960 Edsel! I truly liked the 1958, when it came out in mid-1957: I thought it was exciting. And I vividly remember the intense hype — along with the reactionary ridicule on that “horse-collar” (some said, “toilet-seat”) grille. But it had that “car of tomorrow” mystique — sooo mid-to-late 1950s, and blessedly free of the FINS (how I hated/despised and worse, Exner’s “Forward Look” that others tried to copy!)! Edsel’s mistake was in attempting to carry its distinctive styling cues into 1959 on an entirely differently-shaped body. The 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie was drop-dead gorgeous in every way. But the Edsel attempt to adapt their 1958 look onto that new body presentation was fall-down UGLY! 1960 brought another all-new body which would run from 1960 through 1962 on Fords and Mercurys. The 1960s were a bit underwhelming on Ford and Mercury, hideous on the 1961s and lovely on the 1962s. Incidentally you find the same dashboard in the 1960 Ford, Edsel, and Mercury, and that same dashboard continued through 1962 in Ford and Mercury.
Of the three 1960 makes on this body, the Edsel was by far the prettiest. The quick adaptation from the Ford rear end unfortunately shows in thinly disguised Ford vestigal features underneath the Edsel design. If they had to do that, they might better have kept the entire Ford rear motif, and simply done a variation on the Ford tail-lights using the Ford size and shape and positioning. This Edsel hybrid LOOKS like something done in expedient haste. But the nose on the 1960 Edsel was a work of pure beauty. I would love to own and drive this car! It is my “car that got away”. I wanted a 1959 Ford, but I could not afford a new car at that time in my life. And the 1960 Edsel got axed too quickly. You rarely even saw one in 1959 or 1960. But when my new cars issue of Popular Mechanics arrived (October, 1959?), I immediately wanted the new 1960 Edsel, and had no idea that FoMoCo would pull the plug on it a-borning. By the way, particularly after 1951, I always liked the Canadian versions of our cars. Being relatively close to the border, I saw lots of them. I never knew what to make of the “Plodges”, and the Canadian Pontiacs with Chevrolet tail-lights and drivetrains. But the “adventurous” flamboyant styling on the trim of the Meteor Canadian Fords appealed to me. I still like it. And the 1960 Edsel had that character, in my view.
I agree about the front of the ’60 Edsel it is beautiful for the time the back tho? looks like they sketched it in as they were producing them. No thought went into the design.
Its doubtful Ford took inspiration from the 1959 Pontiac’s grille ; the designs for the 1960 models would have already been approved a couple years before the car actually made its debut.
There was quite a bit of turnover in the design departments back then; all the major manufacturers knew what the others were up to ahead of time. I don’t think we can rule out a little friendly industrial espionage.
Yeah, as long as the public didn’t mind paying for it.
One of the most oddball symmetrically puzzling tail light treatments of the 60’s. Only the ‘61 Plymouth with the “glued on” side tail lights compared in my humble opinion.