The owner says, “The vehicle needs work!” Gee, ya’ think? It’s going to need some parts thrown in with that work too. But, there is something here to consider, this is a rare car, one of only 930 produced out of 63,000 total 1958 Edsels. OK, it’s worth a closer review so off to Antrim, New Hampshire for a look-see where this 1958 Edsel Citation convertible is available; it is here on eBay for a BIN price of $6,995 with a make an offer option. Thanks to my colleague Russ Dixon for this tip!

The rise and quick descent of the Edsel has been documented in many places, numerous times. And while some might be tempted to refer to this as a “Ford” Edsel, it’s not, it was a separate brand under the Ford umbrella (and from what I have read, Henry II ultimately wished it was a separate brand under someone else’s umbrella). The actual business story and failure have become, to many, more interesting than the car itself. But Edsels have very devoted fans and hobbyists. Go to any well-attended car show, pretty much anywhere in the U.S., and you will usually see a two-door hardtop for a four-door sedan from ’58 or ’59. Rarer models include station wagons, examples from the very truncated model year of 1960 (they look like Pontiacs and that look was already taken, by Pontiac!), or a convertible such as this example. This 124″ wheelbase Citation convertible was one of two convertibles offered in the Edsel line for ’58, the other being the 118″ wheelbase “Pacer” model – not as rare as the Citation but low production numbers with only 1,876 built.

Once you get over the initial shock of this Edsel’s down-trodden appearance, you can be a bit more objective about its naked condition. The seller is a person of few words so the listing won’t tell you much. It would seem that this convertible was stripped of its parts but then maybe primered perhaps for a restoration. And it comes as you see it other than some interior parts that are included. While the body is straight and is free of major rot, though that driver’s door doesn’t look so hot, there are an enormous number of items missing that will have to be sourced, not the least being the infamous “Oldsmobile sucking on a lemon” grille. The exterior is going to need everything i.e.,  grille, bumpers, brackets, trim, badges, etc. I would also throw a word of caution about the underside, it warrants a full inspection. The seller advertises its Edsel’s interior color, code “T”, which is gold and white vinyl and the exterior as code “X”, gold metallic, but it hardly seems relevant at this point. There are places where you can spy the original, mostly covered-over finish.

The interior is gutted, though the seller has new door cards and seats in the original trim color combination. Considering this Edsel’s deleterious condition, seats, and door cards seem like one of the last things to acquire or even consider. It’s unknown if all of the parts for the convertible top frame are present but what’s revealed looks shaky. Of note, and there is more here to un-note than there is to note, is the Edsel’s, steering wheel mounted,  pushbutton transmission selector for the “Teletouch Automatic” transmission. The misplaced back seat spare tire does its best to promote a Beverly Hillbillies vibe about this Edsel.

Clearly a no-goer, this Citation does house a “MEL” series 410 CI V8 that at one-time generated 345 gross HP. The seller refers to it as a “475” engine which is the correct Edsel designation, it references its torque rating which is 475 lb. feet. There is no way to tell if it would run but its appearance leaves big doubts, it’s probably going to need complete disassembly and rebuilding. Regardless of this Edsel’s current mechanical aptitude, performance tests of the time (Motor Trend and Popular Mechanics), recorded 0-60 times between nine to ten seconds; pretty stout for a 4,300 lb., late ’50s car. Extra credit question, what do you think the coffee can, attached to the driver’s side inner fender, is for? As for the Teletouch transmission, you are probably going to need a Telephone to call someone up who can tell you how it works; it has more than likely suffered the same, long-term, nonworking fate as the engine.

You have to wonder how such a rare, notable car ended up in such a deplorable condition. Often, one’s eyes get bigger than their stomach, they start a project like this and then realize they are way in over their head. The search for all of the parts alone could take years much less the wiring, upholstery, engine/powertrain, trim, and on and on that will need to be facilitated. It’s rare, but it’s rough, I’m not sure that I would know where to start on this beast. What do you think, a worthwhile project basis or move on, nothing here to see?

Thanks to both www.edsel.com and www.edselmotors.com for help with 1958 Edsel statistics and facts.