After much delay, here is the new automobile that should allow Ford to present an offer similar to that of its rival General Motors, now ranging from the popular Ford themselves to the posh Lincoln. It has been a difficult choice, but the brand is finally called Edsel, to honour the memory of Henry Ford’s late son.
The introduction of the Edsel range, “the newest thing on wheels”, is a grand and noisy affair, supported by costly publicity stunts. Four models plus a line of station wagons are available, the two lesser models built on Ford chassis, while the priciest two uses the Mercury platform. On the other hand, style is unique, designer Roy Brown having given the car a unique “horse collar” grille that allows to make any Edsel easily distinguishable from a distance.
Despite a promising start - that is, during its first four or five weeks on sale - the Edsel soon sees its sales plummet, due to the associated effects of the economic recession, a weak positioning between Ford and Mercury, and poor quality of construction. No amount of advertising seems able to correct the problem and, by the end of the model year, flocks of dealers give up the franchise they so stubbornly wanted to grab only months before.
Edsel Ranger
The Ranger is Edsel’s base model, relatively devoid of chrome and other decoration, but sporting the brand’s unique style. V-8 power is standard, Edsel’s “361” engine being a slightly enlarged version of Ford’s “352”. Two automatic transmissions are available, either the conventional “Column Shift” or the same pushbutton “Teletouch” that is fitted on Corsair and Citation models, though from January 1958 the less popular Column Shift is removed from the option list.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 541 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan.
Edsel Roundup
Edsel also includes three station wagons in its line-up, the Roundup being the more modest of them. It is built on a shortened chassis, and combines the front end or the Edsel with bodies common to Ford models - the latter sporting round taillights, the arrangement is rather odd once fitted with Edsel’s boomerang-shaped units. The Roundup is only available with two doors.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 522 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: two-door station wagon.
Edsel Pacer
As most American cars, the Pacer’s higher price over the Ranger is justified by some more chrome and a better upholstery. Apart from these cosmetic changes, the Pacer is similar to its junior variant.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 541 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, two-door convertible coupe.
Edsel Villager
The four-door variant of the Roundup is called the Villager. Available as a six-seat vehicle or with a third bench seat, it is Edsel’s most popular station wagon… relatively, as in reality all vehicles of this type in Edsel’s range record very limited sales.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 522 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: four-door station wagon.
Edsel Bermuda
Though still built on the short chassis common to all Edsel station wagon, the elegant Bermuda is identified by its woodgrain side trim.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 522 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: four-door station wagon.
Edsel Corsair
The two Corsair models are longer, flashier cars built on Mercury’s chassis. Roofline is different, a rear overhang insuring a common look with the bigger Mercurys and Lincolns. Equipment is extremely complete for a car in this price range, including a big V-8 coupled to a pushbutton “Teletouch Drive” automatic transmission - control buttons for this transmission are mounted on the steering wheel.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 6.7-litre, 345 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 556 cm. Top speed: 200 kph. Range: two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan.
Edsel Citation
The Corsair’s list of standard equipment is already long - the Citation still adds to it such niceties as an electric clock and a padded dashboard.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 6.7-litre, 345 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 556 cm. Top speed: 200 kph. Range: two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, two-door convertible coupe.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click here to return to a list of all Edsel vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
The introduction of the Edsel range, “the newest thing on wheels”, is a grand and noisy affair, supported by costly publicity stunts. Four models plus a line of station wagons are available, the two lesser models built on Ford chassis, while the priciest two uses the Mercury platform. On the other hand, style is unique, designer Roy Brown having given the car a unique “horse collar” grille that allows to make any Edsel easily distinguishable from a distance.
Despite a promising start - that is, during its first four or five weeks on sale - the Edsel soon sees its sales plummet, due to the associated effects of the economic recession, a weak positioning between Ford and Mercury, and poor quality of construction. No amount of advertising seems able to correct the problem and, by the end of the model year, flocks of dealers give up the franchise they so stubbornly wanted to grab only months before.
Edsel Ranger
The Ranger is Edsel’s base model, relatively devoid of chrome and other decoration, but sporting the brand’s unique style. V-8 power is standard, Edsel’s “361” engine being a slightly enlarged version of Ford’s “352”. Two automatic transmissions are available, either the conventional “Column Shift” or the same pushbutton “Teletouch” that is fitted on Corsair and Citation models, though from January 1958 the less popular Column Shift is removed from the option list.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 541 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan.
Edsel Roundup
Edsel also includes three station wagons in its line-up, the Roundup being the more modest of them. It is built on a shortened chassis, and combines the front end or the Edsel with bodies common to Ford models - the latter sporting round taillights, the arrangement is rather odd once fitted with Edsel’s boomerang-shaped units. The Roundup is only available with two doors.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 522 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: two-door station wagon.
Edsel Pacer
As most American cars, the Pacer’s higher price over the Ranger is justified by some more chrome and a better upholstery. Apart from these cosmetic changes, the Pacer is similar to its junior variant.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 541 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: four-door sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, two-door convertible coupe.
Edsel Villager
The four-door variant of the Roundup is called the Villager. Available as a six-seat vehicle or with a third bench seat, it is Edsel’s most popular station wagon… relatively, as in reality all vehicles of this type in Edsel’s range record very limited sales.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 522 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: four-door station wagon.
Edsel Bermuda
Though still built on the short chassis common to all Edsel station wagon, the elegant Bermuda is identified by its woodgrain side trim.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 5.9-litre, 303 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed manual gearbox. Three-speed automatic gearbox optional. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 522 cm. Top speed: 185 kph. Range: four-door station wagon.
Edsel Corsair
The two Corsair models are longer, flashier cars built on Mercury’s chassis. Roofline is different, a rear overhang insuring a common look with the bigger Mercurys and Lincolns. Equipment is extremely complete for a car in this price range, including a big V-8 coupled to a pushbutton “Teletouch Drive” automatic transmission - control buttons for this transmission are mounted on the steering wheel.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 6.7-litre, 345 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 556 cm. Top speed: 200 kph. Range: two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan.
Edsel Citation
The Corsair’s list of standard equipment is already long - the Citation still adds to it such niceties as an electric clock and a padded dashboard.
● Introduction: September 1957. Construction: body on separate chassis. Engine: water-cooled V-8, 6.7-litre, 345 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic gearbox. Suspension: independent at the front, rigid axle at the rear. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Servo optional. Length: 556 cm. Top speed: 200 kph. Range: two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, two-door convertible coupe.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click here to return to a list of all Edsel vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
