“Runs & Drives Good”: 1959 Edsel Corsair
How many times have you seen “runs and drives good” or some variation of it in the listing for a car. It leaves me wanting more details, but perhaps that’s the whole idea–pique my interest and then draw me in for the kill (hmmm…thinking about past purchases I might have something here!) This particular running and driving Edsel is located in Cissna Park, Illinois and is listed for sale here on eBay, where bidding is currently at only $100, but of course there’s a reserve that’s higher than that. But how much?
There were only 3,694 four-door Edsel Corsairs produced in 1959, which is the year the Corsair took over from the Citation as the highest level trim for an Edsel. I like the two-tone treatment on this one, including the center of the side trim and the wheel covers. I believe this is Snow White and Redwood based on this color chart. From a distance, this looks like a pretty nice car.
I didn’t realize until researching this article that the tail lights on 1959 Edsels were from 1958 Lincolns! Ford was trying everything they could to cut costs and recover from the 1958 Edsel introduction debacle. Some of the unique features of the first year Edsels would forever stay that way as Ford looked to salvage what they could of their investment.
The seller makes it clear that body filler has been used previously on the car, and the bottom of these two doors makes that evident. To fix this properly, you’ll have to grind, cut and weld prior to repainting. It’s unfortunate, because the paint itself doesn’t look bad at all.
On the inside, things look pretty good, with more of that Redwood paint color. While neither the seats or door panels appear to be original, they are in nice enough shape that I’d leave them alone. I’m a little puzzled as to the carpet color, but perhaps an Edsel expert can chime in?
Given the fact that it “runs and drives good,” I’d expect the under hood area to look used, and it is. A little cleaning and detailing would go a long way here. Obviously the air cleaner isn’t original, but I don’t mind a little chrome under there. Do you think this Edsel would run and drive good enough for you?
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Comments
Nice old car to bring back. no mention on the running gear oter than runs and drives good, but I am near positive that is not an Edsel engine but a later model ford engine. That kills it for me, if you want an Edsel it is for the uniqueness of that otherwise it is just a Ford
Man I love Edsels,but have never been able to afford one.
Cool CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why does the engine have two breather / oil filler caps? the one on the left is in the right place for a Y block, but the distributor isn’t – unless it’s a 352.
Utopian Turtletop! RE: Lincoln taillights? I did NOT know that!
One to watch.
It has the wrong valve covers, the block mounted oil fill tube is correct. This is an FE engine, not a Y-block. Most likely a 361.
Nicely optioned, though — with power brakes and electric wipers.
If it’s a 4 BBL carb..it’s possibly a 361 cu in,,otherwise it’s either a 332 cu in or a Ford transplant…have to look at the !st letter on the drivers pillar to see what it was born with…a “B” is a 332, a “W” is a 361…then you have to check the casting behind the flywheel for a letter code…too much is wrong here to be origional..the valve covers, the master cylinder, the 5 holes in the center of the firewall..the water pump bypass hose is in the “wrong”place…3 different colors are a giveaway of a repaint…will not bring the bucks a true origional will…after all, it’s only origional ONCE!!!!..and there were only 3301 corsair 4 dr sedans made in 1959…I have 1 of them…all origional…