Rebuilt Powertrain: 1959 Edsel Ranger Sedan

The Edsel will probably always be known as the biggest failure in U.S. automotive history. And yet, they managed to sell 68,000 of the cars, which was far less than Ford’s break-even point in three model years. This Ranger 4-door sedan is from 1959 and is a basic car with a six-cylinder engine and 3-speed manual transmission (both freshly rebuilt). Located in Renton, Washington, this cosmetic project is available here on craigslist for $4,500.

FOMOCO perceived there was a market for a fourth Dearborn product to accompany the Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln. But their market research and timing were way off when the Edsel debuted in 1958. Sales never reached the level wanted or needed, and the company threw in the towel barely into the 1960 model year. The Ranger was the entry-level product, and they sold 14,000 4-door units in 1959, which comprised nearly one-third of all “horse collar” Edsels that year.

Perhaps a restoration was started on this ’59 Ranger, as we’re told the motor and transmission have just 1,000 miles since a rebuild took place on both. The photos show a car that may have a lot of rust to be conquered, and one of the doors was replaced due to either an accident or corrosion. What we can see of the interior doesn’t seem any better, so you’ll have your work cut out for you in restoring this car the rest of the way.

If this Edsel were a 2-door hardtop or had a V8 engine, the decision to proceed would be easier to swallow. But Ford had made the Edsel less distinctive after a rough first year in 1958, so this Ranger is more like a Ford Fairlane from that model year, sans the controversial front-end styling. Given the passage of 67 years since this car was built, how many can be left, regardless of condition? BTW, thanks again to “Curvette” for more tips like this.