The Edsel was perhaps the costliest mistake in Ford Motor Co.’s history. Conceived as the fourth brand to be sold under the corporate umbrella, sales were disappointing right out of the gate in 1958. The nosedive continued in 1959 when the seller’s car was built, probably the entry-level Ranger model. This well-used survivor has logged a lot of miles and runs, though it may not be the prettiest example left. Located in a field in Griffin, Georgia, the seller has priced it at $2,000 OBO here on craigslist. How many of these relics could still exist? We appreciate the tip, Henry Reining!
Ford did extensive research and concluded there was a void in the market between the Ford and Mercury lineups with Lincoln on top. So, they devised the Edsel (named after Henry Ford’s son) which would have its own sheet metal, including the “horse collar” front grille that probably had a lot to do with the lack of customer demand. Also, Ford’s marketing types didn’t notice what was happening over at Chrysler as DeSoto was beginning to tank, too. Finally, they introduced the Edsel at the worst possible time as an economic recession in 1958 sent automobile sales downward.
Edsel production was 68,045 units (1958), then 47,396 (1959), and finally, 2,846 (1960) before FOMOCO pulled the plug in the Fall of 1959, just after the 1960s went on sale (DeSoto collapsed a year later). Reports indicate that Ford took a $350 million bath on the Edsel. Only three models were offered with the revised 1959s, with the Ranger continuing as the entry-level car. Some 5,966 Ranger 2-door hardtops were built in ’59, 12% of total Edsel production that year.
Information is a bit light on the seller’s car. It has a V8 engine, probably 292 cubic inches in displacement. But at 200,000 miles, surely the motor and/or automatic transmission (no longer push buttons in the steering wheel) have seen a refresh (just a guess). There doesn’t appear to be any overt rust and while the roof is painted blue, is the rest of the car finished in primer grey? Overall, the seller pegs this car’s condition as “fair” and it does run “with no problems.” That could make this the cheapest functioning Edsel you’ll find in a while.
I just have to say, that is one ugly car.
I had a buddy back in the 60’s that used to borrow his uncles 60 Edsel, they did away with the ugly grille and the car didn’t look bad at all, unfortunately it was too late
beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Amen Gerald….
As PACKARD used to advertise *Ask the Man Who Owns One* or three! 👍
You have to wonder why corporate executives make the money they do when they come up with stuff like this. Did any one else see the Photoshop of a late model Crown Vic with a horsecollar grill like a modern Edsel? It was, interesting.
I did!
I have a copy of it…cooll design!!
According to what I saw and read, it’s an actual custom build, not a photoshop.
Fortunately in the USA 🇺🇸 we can STILL have our own opinions. Not sure how much longer 😕. But IMO the first generation EDSEL was decent looking for the era. FMC did extensive market research. It was the wrong car at the Wrong time including 58 recession. BUT FMCs biggest mistake was dropping Crown Vics, GRAND MARQUIS, and TOWN CARS! Happy New Year to all BARN FINDERS. 🍾 🥂
The “Utopian Turtletop”
As opposed to Mongoose Civique! Happy to see someone else did his EDSEL research. 👍 Another aspect of FMCs extensive efforts to build the Perfect car. For those who might not know, the Ford family didn’t want to use the EDSEL name, but finally agreed after many alternatives were considered.
It’s one of those things that when seen cannot be unseen…Ford asked some poet to come up with names for a new car,(apparently the Edsel) and this is one that she submitted, among others, but this one is the best.
I am not a fan of the Edsel but when you have it down to the basics there are lots of opportunities to customize it. Cutting in those bumpers, reworking the grill, and without the side molding there is huge potential in paint schemes. I would like to work it up on paper.
There were big plans for the Edsel that after being reduced numerous times ended up being just sheet metal added to the regular Ford production line. Quality suffered because it cost the production line workers extra time and cut into their production quotas. Instead of “cutting in those bumpers. Reworking the grill, and without the side moldings“ you could just start with a regular Ford.
My thought would be that if the chassis is in good, solid condition why not scrap this body and drop on a standard ford body? Say a wagon or a clean four door sedan? Or at minimum simply graft on a ford front clip and blend as necessary.
Would this have a y-block under the hood? I’d swap in something like an fe 390 and have some fun.
Bottom line in my opinion is it is still fugly after all these years.
It’s my opinion (as much BS as it is) that the ’58 Edsel failed from being too big (never for me) too gimmicky (rotating speedo, push button trans center steering wheel) among others. The horse collar grill was a huge turnoff to 1958 Americans. Personally, I like the ’58 Edsel, but I’m quirky myself. The ’59 was refined, lowering the headlights into the grill (Ford didn’t do that until 1960 & it looks smaller than the ’58.
The ’60 Edsel was just a Ford with a split grill, different parking lights, taillights & rear bumper. The small fins of the 1960 were a bit different from the fins of the Ford.
The ’60 Edsel actually looks like what a Canadian Ford would look like.
Big mistake or not, I feel FoMoCo should have given it a couple more years as tastes were changing, fins were disappearing & it might have given FoMoCo more time to recoupe some investments.
Happy New Year to all of my Barn Find cronies (young & old) & particularly the staff who do an excellent job at reporting & researching these fine automobiles.
🎉🎉🎊🎊
P.S. I’m in Amirillo, TX on my way to Baltimore, MD
Well, you Devalicios Cadillac QUEEN, I have been wonderin where you’ve been WANDERIN. ON to Baltimore? ARMADILLO was not one of the names considered for EDSEL. Perhaps it would have given a protective shield to avoid being dropped like an anchor. 😅 🤣. I’m happy to know you weren’t in Vegas when the big bomb went off!
The 1960 Edsel reminded me of a Pontiac.
Hey Angel, I’m right near Baltimore. Are you going to surprise me with my Oldsmobile we were talking about? Safe travels and Happy New Year to everyone.
Carbon, when pigs fly or you give me the $10,000. 😆
How near? Maybe we could get together and roam a junkyard or two.
A two door Edsel that runs, for $2,000! I think that is a DEAL. The interior doesn’t look too bad. I can’t but come on.
Henry II’s father was Edsel, and he didn’t want the name used, or other members of the family?
The advertising firms that Ford hired to come up with a “name”..came up with a final 4 of “Corsair, Citation, Ranger and Pacer”…go figure!!! And NO the family did NOT want the car named “Edsel”…but after millions of dollars spent and thousands of names suggested from many people across the U.S. , the family finally relented and the Edsel was born in 1957..
Russ: ad says 2500 not 2k.