The seller of this 1960 Edsel Ranger two-door sedan says that it’s “Super Rare”. Now that I think about it, I’m not certain that I have ever seen a ’60 Edsel in the steel. I’ve seen plenty of pictures but I can’t actually recall being able to reach right out and touch one. That’s probably because they are, super rare. That being the case, it’s a treat to find one for review, courtesy of Larry D. This Edsel is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and is available, here on craigslist for $12,950.
Though referred to as a two-door hardtop, this Edsel is actually a two-door sedan – the hardtop had more of a fastback style roofline. And Edsel.com claims that it is one of only 777 built in the ill-fated Edsel’s final production year of 1960. Talk about a short model year, it commenced on September 14, 1959 and concluded on November the 19th of that year – eight and a half weeks, that’s it! Talk about cutting your losses. The total model year production was a paltry 2,846 vehicles. This model is not the rarest, however. That dubious distinction belongs to the Villager nine-passenger station wagon with a piddling 59 total units. Think about it, if you accidentally turned on the ’60 Ford Galaxie assemble line and then quickly thought, “That’s a mistake, I shouldn’t have done that” you’d probably spit out at least 59 Galaxies!
The Edsel has become a metaphor for so many things that have come to pass, and then quickly disappeared and its demise has been covered and theorized to death. All I know is that the ’58 was downright ugly and looked like an Oldsmobile sucking on a lemon. The worst visual effects were tamed a bit for ’59 and then in the “if you blinked, you would have missed it” 1960 Model year, we got a ’59 Pontiac nosepiece grafted onto a typical finned Detroit box, affixed with taillights that looked like they were boosted from a cheesy ’90s Korean economy sedan. All of that said, this very straight, clean Edsel shows really well. The listing is minimal in its description but the images portray a deep finish, a body unmarred by rust or damage, and strong chrome and stainless trim. The design of the B-pillar and door glass frame is thin enough that this sedan could be mistaken for a hardtop, but as stated earlier, the roofline of the hardtop is completely different. The only demerit that I’d give this Edsel is for the cheap-looking add-on chrome-plated fender skirts, a styling cue that can be easily undone if so desired by the next caretaker.
There is no engine image! I’ll frequently pass on a review if a seller neglects that rather important component image but this Edsel is so seldomly-seen that I couldn’t ignore it. Anyway, power is provided a 185 HP, 292 CI “Y Block” V8 engine tethered to an automatic transmission known as a “Mile-O-Matic Drive” two-speed unit. The seller adds, “Runs super drives great starts with no hesitation“.
The interior is upholstered in an attractive green vinyl and broadcloth fabric complemented by matching door panels. The driver’s seat bottom is showing some wear and I imagine finding matching upholstery would be akin to the “Hunt for Red October”. There’s probably some still available somewhere but it’s going to take a concerted search to find it. There are really two different shades of green going on, a true green painted dashboard and then vinyl that is more of a turquoise – I wonder if that is as originally intended? Overall, the interior presents quite well and features a modern Pioneer radio and under dash engine gauges. The instrument panel is reminiscent of Ford products from this era.
So there you have it, yes it’s fair to say this is a rare car and probably “super rare” by virtue of the likelihood that there aren’t many of the original 777 still in existence. But does rareness translate to value? I was actually expecting a higher ask than $12,950 for such an uncommon car so maybe it doesn’t matter. Regardless, this is a nice discovery and I’m sure it will find a new home soon, wouldn’t you agree?
I like these cars, poor Edsel didn’t have a chance. If the styling had caught on maybe it was the hype before the release. By 60 the just switched them up enough so it wasn’t a Ford. Maybe people were afraid it looked different. Packard, Studebaker all suffered same problems.
Styling “catches on” when it’s good. When it’s bad…
There are lots of interesting stories in U.S. automotive history, but the Edsel debacle has to be near the top of the list. The Edsel was launched in September of ’57, and in one account I read, Ford executives knew by March in ’58, based on sales figures, that the car was a dud. Then the finger-pointing began.
Basic sedan. I had a 59 Edsel Ranger 4 door sedan, same drivetrain as this one. Decent enough transportation but nothing special. Gave it to a fella up in the mountains outside Granite falls, Washington after the engine went bad.
God Bless America.
The interior door panels are most definitely not stock, and because the vinyl at the bottom of the door panels matches the color of the seat upholstery, I believe the seats have been re-upholstered, as well. The seat pattern is stock, but the cloth inserts look to be a bit more textured than stock. The door panels bear little resemblance to stock panels. I imagine whoever did it was thrilled to find material this close to stock, given how few of these were made.
The cloth is not hard to get. SMS Auto Fabrics has reproduced it for years. They also make exact reproduction door panels, but this owner obviously elected to go another route.
I think the hype before the introduction was part of the problem.
I remember when the 1958 Edsel was nearing its introduction date, our local dealer had painted over the showroom windows with small ‘peep-holes’ to peer into. It’s amazing the things one remembers from their childhood. I was just eight years old!
They took a 1960 Ford and made it even more ugly.But I really like this Edsel.Hope it goes to a good home.
I thought the Pontiac Aztec was ugly until this. Especially those vertical tail lights!. The rest of the design looks like an unsolvable geometric math problem. Rare indeed but think of the attention ot would draw! I’ve never seen a 60 Edsel.
The elephant (not) in the room: Missing is the distinctive and otherwise butt-ugly nose that these cars shared in previous years.
The front shot here looks more like a 66 Chrysler.
Personally, I think 64 Imperial. Taillight setup is a little odd, but you can see the 1960 Ford origins right through it.
Super rare = nobody wanted them back then either.
I always thought the grille looked like a Pontiac. They should have stayed with the oval ‘horse-collar’ but made it smaller.
Something like the ’56 Packard Predictor nose might’ve worked better than the horse collar while maintaining the general theme.
Looks awful close to a 59 Pontiac to me
I like it & would take to the car shows. Any cars beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Back it in so nobody sees the taillights.
They went conventional on the front and then “what the h—-?!” On the back end. Seems like the designer just said never mind.
I..being weird..love these Utopian Turtletops(hehe)and would never say no to having one in my driveway.That being said..i really with all my heart and soul..despise chrome skirts..LOL.Body colour those badboys!!!
I like it too, no surprise. Edsel left the scene just as I was becoming aware of cars. Like the author, everybody knew about them, but rarely saw one. This year always made me think, a 1960 Ford was abducted by aliens, and came back the Edsel. Or maybe something from Canada, hey. Glitz applied with a patching trowel, which was the style at the time. I read, in ’59, Edsel dropped the problematic “Teletouch” shift, but regardless, the public just didn’t want another full size car from Ford. Neat find.
I think the 1960 Edsel is a better looking car than the 1960 Ford.
Whether or not the interior is correct, still a nice car.
It’s a shame Ford ignored poet Marianne Moore’s name suggestions. Otherwise, we could be discussing the “Mongoose Civique,” “The Intelligent Whale,” the “Thunderblender,” or the “Utopian Turtuetop.”
Like it…the tail and back up light placement makes me think of the new Rivian pickup front end.
It is a beautiful car but in this case underpowered. That one year 352 hi perf was just a check on the form. Darn. The 60 galaxie starliner- that’s the real beauty
Regardless of whether it’s pretty or not I still find it übercool – there are numerous vehicles that come to mind that aren’t really beautiful but still are extremely appealing to me. Personally, if I were in the market for a late50s/early 60s fullsize FoMoCo and it really is as good as it looks I’d pick this one up in a heartbeat. Extremely cool find for decent amounts of $ which is not common in today’s market ! 👍
I love the taillights on this one almost as much as the ’58 Edsel Station Wagon.
https://cdn1.mecum.com/auctions/az0321/az0321-453349/images/img8085-1612234896048@2x.jpg?1615937306000
Growing up when these were just used cars, they were spooky and sort of creepy and sinister, like 57-58 Chrysler products. Mid ’60s,10 years old or so and seeing one of these, a 66 Mercury Montclair and 65 Corvair Monza two door in the family drive ??? Yes, they were unnerving.
Turns out my Uncle had one of these.
I remember the Edsel well, I was 8 years old when this model was produced in the fall of 1959…..what intrigued me most at this age with this vehicle that it was a exact duplicate of a 1960 Ford Galaxie with some pretty ugly cosmetic additions or rather subtractions, I didn’t get it nor as it seems neither did many others.
@Thomas
I’ve always said the 1960 Edsel reminds me of what a Canadian-version 1960 Ford would look like.
First time on Barn Finds that I have to agree with most commenters. “Lose the skirts!”
I love this car!!! I would, most definitely, ace the ugly skirts and transplant a 428 FE engine.
I love these. I think they’re my favorite model year Edsel, followed by the ’59, then the ’58.
The seats are reupholstered and the wrong color for the interior. Green would have had brown according to the first link below. Plus look at the door panels. They’re just plain with no design as the brochure shows in the second link. Nice job, though.
Links:
https://www.edsel.com/pages/edsel60.htm
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/members/AardvarkPublisherAttachments/9990434144332/1960_Edsel_brochure_1-28.pdf
But it’s nicely kept and clean.
Those tailights are the best.
Ever notice how the ’58 Edsel’s taillights are one everything these days ?
Or how much the full size ’70 Pontiac styling cribbed from the ’58 ?
These are so odd, so full of the Edsel backstory, even though they’re bizarrely festooned ’60 Fords, for some reason it all works.
Make mine a six with 3 speed, or as another guy “re-imagined” one: a boosted 4 cylinder.
Thanks for this. What a nice car.
I have a friend who has an original paint, interior and drivetrain, three on the tree, two door sedan like this one. At first I thought this one was his. I’d post a picture if BF would allow attachments in the comments.
Become a member Steve and then you can post a picture. Membership is as cheap as chips!
Great price for a unique automobile, although I personally prefer the 58 model. I have always preferred the less popular body styles such as my current 62 Studebaker Lark. Love all Studebakers, AMC/Nash/Ramblers, especially “bathtub “ models,Hudsons,etc. I would be happy to own this rare oddball!
Anyone notice it has dual exhaust? Rare for a 292.
@Tom L
The car is 52 years old. It’s probably had plenty of owners who could have changed it to dual exhaust.
Jim ODonnell, I compliment your writing skill.
We had a guy in our town that had 25-30 Edsels, convertibles, 2 door sedans, 2 door hardtops, wagons but I don’t remember any 4 doors. He had about every color you could think of. All originals or 100 point show cars, beautiful cars. He passed away and the cars got auctioned off.
Hey Jim, loved your write up. Especially “looked like an Oldsmobile sucking on a lemon”. What a hoot!! Keep up the good work.
@Dave Olson
Have you never heard that terminology before? I’ve heard it ever since I was a kid and the Edsels were new cars.
I agree with Larry D. Always thought these resembled Canadian Fords of that era. We also called them Chinese Fords. Nice car in spite of the taillights. Hard to believe that dual exhaust on a 292 was original.
This car was listed on Craigslist a few weeks back….stopped up and looked at it…pretty messed up car….not worth half of what he is asking…I have 4 edsels this one will not join the herd…buyer beware…
Al, after I read your comments I went back and looked at the photos more closely, and I didn’t see any thing obviously bad about the car. Just curious, not trying to start a debate, but I think most of us here would be interested in what the problems are with this car.
The Canadian 1960 Ford Meteor used the same body as the US Ford and Edsel with a much nicer grill then both of them and certainly a nicer tailend then the Edsel…Side trim was beautiful also- I wish the Edsel would have followed that design path!
Just kinda sleek,, I think lt has nice lines.
What would Edsel Ford think?
Edsel Ford would be appalled! Not because of the car’s looks, but because he was an unassuming man who never would have put his own name on a car. Had he lived, and I wish he had, there never would have been an Edsel!
al, can you give more info on defects ? sure looks good in pictures !
In 1960, a neighbor of ours bought a brand new 1960 Ford 4door….my dad was a Mopar guy so I was too. I thought the Ford was fairly good looking for a Ford though. Today I think the 60 Ford is one of the best looking cars any company ever made…the styling has aged beautifully in my eyes….on the other hand, the 60 Edsel, well….not so much.
If you think this car is ugly, Google the Canadian 1961 Meteor – it’s even uglier. Even the side chrome trim goes in the wrong direction. I have a ’56 Meteor and my car has the same engine and trans – it’s a 3 speed and not a 2 speed. It starts out in intermediate and upshifts to high. Low gear is for better performance at startup and to prevent lugging in intermediate. It’s a pretty bullet-proof piece of engineering.
IMO, the tailites & backup lites would look a lot better if they were horizontal.
The tailites could be the same ones as on the ’60 comet, tho slanted on the latter.
I have loved Edsels since I was a little kid. There was a white 1960 2 door version in my town in the early 70s in the back of a parking lot on the main drag through town. It sat there for many years before finally disappearing. When I was a teenager I saw a mint green and white 2 door ’58 Edsel for $500 towed out of a barn and set by the road. I wanted it but it wasn’t meant to be. In 1975 I saw a red and white ’59 or ’59 in a corral of old cars in Tombstone, Arizona. Very cool. People have made fun of Edsels claiming the grill looks like a toilet seat. Whatever. I am still a fan of them.