Love Them Or Hate Them: 1959 Edsel Ranger
Named after the son of Henry Ford, Edsel was a new division under the Ford Motor Company that lasted only 3 years (model years 1958-1960). It is well-known as an unfortunate failure for the Blue Oval, with some critics likening the front end to a “horse sucking on a lemon” and a “toilet seat grill.” If you can get over the polarizing face, Edsels were actually pretty attractive cars, and this two-tone yellow and white 2-door hardtop is an example of that. Currently for sale here on craigslist, it’s located near Hernando, Mississippi with an asking price of $5,000. By the way, the seller also says he has a 1957 Mercury available for sale for $2,000 if anyone is interested. Or, he’ll take $6,000 for both!
In addition to the love-it-or-hate-it front end, there were a few other factors that contributed to Edsel’s demise. Edsel was introduced into a Ford lineup in transition. The 1957 Ford Fairlane was giving Ford a slightly upper-end reach, while at the same time the Mercury Medalist was becoming a budget-friendly car that was almost into the Ford price range. Lincoln was more in line with Buick and Oldsmobile, as the short-lived Continental division intended to compete with Cadillac. So, Edsel never really had a specific customer base. Furthermore, a large recession hit in 1958 which hit pretty much all car brands, especially the independents (Hudson, Studebaker, Nash, Packard, and Desoto were all seriously affected by this recession). Finally, Edsels were known for some serious reliability issues, in part stemming from some of their otherwise cool gadgets, like the Touchshift transmission buttons on the steering wheel.
From 1958 through 1960, around 118,000 Edsels were produced. In 1958, 5,474 2-door hardtops like the one featured here were made. The Ranger trim was entry-level, but it still is an attractive car with two-tone paint and lots of bright trim. On this car, the only piece of trim that appears to be missing is on the leading edge of the hood. The bumper also has some rust, but perhaps that could be replated or repaired. The body itself looks really good, and the seller tells us the only other area of rust is on the bottom edge of the doors. We are told the car was repainted around 10 years ago and it hasn’t been driven much since, so we can expect it is probably in pretty good condition.
Unfortunately, there are no photos of the interior or the engine. However, the seller says the interior was also redone 10 years ago, and the engine was running 5 years ago, so hopefully, there isn’t much needed for either of those areas. This car supposedly comes with the 292 V8 and automatic transmission. Even though the reviled grill was gone by 1960, giving these cars a more mainstream appearance, it seems to be somewhat endeared to people now. The 1960 cars were nice, but not as distinct. The few times I’ve seen an Edsel at a car show, it’s always surrounded by people. Love them or hate them, they’re nostalgic. Would you agree?
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Comments
First off, I believe the term was “an Oldsmobile sucking a lemon “. I always thought that the 59s were the most attractive year.
Nick, I believe it it was “Horse Collar Grill” and “Pontiac Sucking a Lemon” as well as “Ob-Gyn Grill”. Admittedly, that last one may have originated with me…
The ’59 Edsel got the styling right, as that center grill was toned down a bit. Also, Ford engines (including a six!) were also offered in the lower range of Edsels, so if you wanted to buy an Edsel for ’59 you didn’t necessarily get a gas hog. Still, the brand was cooked and only about 3,000 Edsels were made in 1960 before having the plug pulled. This car looks pretty solid and with a little help could be at least a decent daily driver.
Desoto wasn’t an independent, it was a division of Chrysler.
If I’m correct, the ’59 was basically a rebadged Ford with Edsel styling, as opposed to the ’58 which had it’s own engine, Teletouch, etc. So while you are not really getting an “Edsel”, you are getting a car that is much easier to source chassis and engine parts for.
Just as ugly as the day it rolled off the line. Funny thing I think Subaru tried to mimic that front grill look on the tribeca a few years back , and it was just as ugly
A friend of mine had one a while back. It was a “TANK”, but COOL. If I recall correctly, he had a issue with the shifting buttons on the steering wheel. Car ran great. Could of bought it for $600.00. Glad I didn’t. It’s one of those rides I’ll rather look at it, but not own it.
The Rodney Dangerfield of American automobiles “can’t get any respect”.
Hi Frank, historically he said, “I don’t get no respect” which, ironically with the double negative, gave him respect. I am sure over the years, once the catch phrase was associated with him, he used many variations of the line. I would like to think perhaps he drove one of these, it would have been the perfect non-verbal joke for him.
Especially in Lemon Yellow…
Noticed it locked up so no one can steal it!
I bought a 59 Edsel ranger 4 door sedan for $200.00 in 84, it was white with 292 column shifted automatic. A very basic transportation car. Engine locked up in the mountains outside Everett, Washington. I just left it on the side of the road.
God bless America
You dirty holier than thou litterbug, socking the cost of having it towed away to the taxpayers.
Nothing to hate….just not much to love.
Have a ’59 Edsel Corsair convertible (only made 1343). Have new top and upholstery for it. Car runs, shifts and stops. No rust but needs paint. Needs a new gas tank but none available. 332 V8 2 sp auto.
I ended up using a repop 1958 Ford tank and then resoldered the filler neck from the Edsel gas tank (a bit longer) as that was the only difference for my 58 Citation
“Utopian Turtle Top” was one of the names presented to Ford from a poet/writer they hired, Marianne Moore. She also submitted “Varsity Stroke” and Mongoose Civique”
Term was “Mercury sucking a lemon”
That’s really a 59 not a 58.
Happen to see a 59 all decked out, even with fender skirts, pulling into a Mac D yesterday in Ovid, NY.
I had a 58 Corsair 4dr hardtop. Biggest problem was the solenoid that worked the shift arm on the trans.
Chrysler pushbutton transmissions had virtually no problems because they mounted the servos on the firewall and shifted via cables. Ford attached the servos to the transmission where they got full of dirt and water.
I believe Martha Stewart owns a fully restored Edsel wagon that she drives around Martha’s Vineyard. ICBW, tho.
When it was featured on Jay Leno’s Garage, the car was at her home in Maine.
That would be her place in Seal Harbor Maine
Don Knots drove one in “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.” Can’t remember if it was a ’58 or ’59 but it showed him shifting into reverse with the pushbuttons on the steering wheel.
A horse sucking on a lemon is NOT the description I often heard about the front end LOL
especially the front of the 59 model LOL
Love how the seller is far too lazy to take the crap off the car before photos.
At least the tires have air in them.
Frankly, you could low ball this guy and get the car IMHO.
He just wants another parking spot and some cash for the lemon yellow butt fugly car.
The rear quarters look good too.
Love the dirt build up on the back end. It shows how much the sellers cares.
Bob
I was waiting for that comment. Quality and the styling killed it.
Edsels are quirky enough these days to be cool at the local cruise ins. I personally couldn’t do yellow so that’s a problem in this case – and I hate to change originality as far as appearance.
However, the thing that screams in my head is “put a Godzilla in it!” Lolol, probably ain’t happinin’…..
Funny Jack, I was thinking the same, but I would like too add, with a chassis belt, but I didn’t want to be the one to say it. Guess I just said it. Only my personal visual aspect.