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| Manufacturer | Edsel |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Ford Motor Company |
| Production | 1958-1959 |
| Successor | Mercury Meteor |
| Class | Full-size |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 332 in³ V8 410 in³ V8 |
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| Production | 1958 |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Wayne, Michigan Somerville, Massachusetts Dearborn, Michigan Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Body style(s) | 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop |
| Transmission(s) | 3-speed manual 2-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 124.0 in (3150 mm) |
| Length | 218.8 in (5558 mm) |
| Width | 79.8 in (2027 mm) |
| Height | 56.8 in (1443 mm) |
| Curb weight | 4,134 lb (1,875 kg) |
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| Production | 1959 |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Allen Park, Michigan Wayne, Michigan Somerville, Massachusetts Dearborn, Michigan Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Body style(s) | 2-door convertible 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan |
| Transmission(s) | 3-speed manual 3-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 120.0 in (3048 mm) |
| Length | 210.9 in (5357 mm) |
| Width | 79.8 in (2027 mm) |
| Height | 56.2 in (1427 mm) Convertible: 56.7 in (1440 mm) |
The Edsel Corsair was an automobile produced by the former Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln Division (M-E-L) of the Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan and sold through its Edsel marque in 1958 and 1959. For 1958, the Corsair was built on the longer Edsel wheelbase derived from Mercury brand automobiles. In addition, it shared the Monterey's body shell.[1] For 1959, the Corsair shared the shorter Ford wheelbase with the entry-level Ranger (and Ford Fairlane).
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1958
The Corsair represented the next-to-highest trim level available within the Edsel brand. It rode on Ford's 124 in (2997 mm) wheelbase[2] In addition to high-grade interior appointments, the Corsair also received additional stainless steel trim and deluxe wheel covers. Available either as a two-door or four-door hardtop, the Corsair, like the premium Citation, shared its roof lines with Mercury models, as well as internal body components. Body parts between the Corsair and Citation models could not be shared with either the Ranger or Pacer, which were built on the shorter Ford frames.
Like the Citation, the Corsair was powered by the 345 bhp (257 kW) 410 in³ {6.7 L} E-475 V8 (with four-barrel {four choke} carburetor),[3] and came equipped with Edsel’s Teletouch automatic as standard. (This was a US$231 option on Ranger and Pacer models.)[4] Unlike other Ford models that used a column-mounted gear selector, Teletouch placed its drive-selection buttons in the steering wheel hub where drivers were accustomed to finding the horn button. In emergency situations, damage to the transmission that might occur if the driver hit the Teletouch unit instead of the steering wheel's horn ring was prevented by an electro-hydraulic switch activated by internal transmission fluid pressure. A basic heater (as a US$92 option) and radio (at US$95) were available, and air conditioning was optional as well (at US$460).[5]
While its roll-out was highly publicized in the fall of 1957, the 1958 Edsel was a marketing disaster for Ford and Ford's corporate strategy for meeting General Motors' product line for product line. Total Corsair output for the model stood at 9,987 units, only slightly better than the Citation. Of these units, 3,632 were hardtop coupes (3,312 U.S. and 320 Canadian-built) and 6,355 were four-door hardtops (5,880 U.S. and 475 Canadian-built). Prices for the Corsair in 1958 ranged from US$3,311 to $3,390.
| Body Style | Units |
|---|---|
| 2-Door Hardtop | 3,632 |
| 4-Door Hardtop | 6,355 |
1959
The 1959 Edsels were introduced in the fall of 1958. However, for the 1959 model year, the Citation and Pacer models were dropped from Edsel's model range for 1959, as was the trouble-prone Teletouch system.
The 1959 Edsel's styling was significantly toned-down, as was the vertical grille assembly, which now featured a fine bar pattern. The Corsair now represented the premium Edsel model range, replacing the discontinued Citation. Unlike in 1958, the Corsair now shared its body panels with the Ranger - the two being differentiated by trim and options. The Corsair also gained a four-door sedan and convertible version. Both wagons shared sheetmetal with Fords, from the front doors back, differentiated by dual taillights in the cove (or hollow), while backup lights took the place of the Ford's rear lights.[6]
The 1959 Corsair rode on a 120 in (3048 mm) wheelbase and the Ford 332 in³ (5441 cm³) V8 engine was standard in sedans, with either two- or four-barrel (two- or four-choke) carburetor[7] (292 in³ {4785 cm³} two-barrel {twin choke} in wagons),[8] as was a three-speed manual transmission; the 361 in³ (5916 cm³) E400 Edsel V8 (now called Super Express) was optional,[9] and the 223 in³ (3654 cm³) Ford straight six was a delete option.[10] Replacing the Teletouch transmission was the Mile-O-Matic, a two-speed automatic, or Dual-Power Drive 3-speed automatic (only available with the 361).[11] Heater, defroster, and radio remained optional, as well.[12]
With total 1959 Corsair output at 9,318, the Corsair was discontinued. For 1959, 2,468 hardtop coupes (2,315 U.S./153 Canada), 1,812 four-door hardtops (1,694 U.S./118 Canada), 1,343 convertibles (all U.S.) and 3,695 four-door sedans (3,301 U.S./394 Canada), were produced; hardtop sales were down 31% in two-doors and 71% in four-doors against 1958.[13] Prices ranged from US$2,812 to $3,072, down some 15% from the previous year.[14]
References
- Bonsall, Thomas E. (2002). Disaster in Dearborn: The Story of the Edsel. Stamford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-4654-0.
- Duetsch, Jan (1976). The Edsel and Corporate Responsibility. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-01950-5.
- Gunnell, John, Editor (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.
- Heasley, Jerry (1977). The Production Figure Book For U.S. Cars. Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-87938-042-X.
- Triplett, Ty (1990). The Edsel Owner's Handbook, Second revision. International Edsel Club. n/a.
- Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008.
Notes
- ^ Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), p.888.
- ^ Flory, p.892.
- ^ Flory, p.890.
- ^ Flory, p.890.
- ^ Flory, p.890.
- ^ Flory, p.969.
- ^ Flory, p.970.
- ^ Flory, p.969.
- ^ Flory, p.969.
- ^ Flory, p.969.
- ^ Flory, pp.969 & 970.
- ^ Flory, p.970.
- ^ Flory, p.972.
- ^ Flory, p.972.
External links
- Edsel.com History, specifications, resources for owners.
- Smith Motor Company Virtual Edsel Dealer
- The International Edsel Club
- Edsel.US Restorer's discussion group
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| Edsel road car timeline, North American market, 1958–1960 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 1950s | 1960s | |
| 8 | 9 | 0 | |
| Full-size | Ranger | ||
| Pacer | |||
| Corsair | |||
| Citation | |||
| Station Wagon | Roundup | ||
| Villager | |||
| Bermuda | |||
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