Edsel Pacer

Edsel Pacer

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1958
Successor	Edsel Corsair
Class	Full-size
Body style(s)	2-door convertible 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan
Engine(s)	410 in³ V8
Transmission(s)	3-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	118 in (2997 mm)
Curb weight	3,773 lb (1,711 kg)-4,311 lb (1,955 kg)

The Edsel Pacer is 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. The Pacer was built off the shorter Edsel wheelbase, shared with the Ford Fairlane, as was the Edsel Ranger. In addition, both shared the Fairlane's body shell.^[1]

Pacer is one of two Edsel model names reused by manufacturers other than Ford, as was Citation. The Corsair, a 1958-only Edsel model, used a name previously applied to the Henry J by the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation.

The Pacer represented a step up from the basic Ranger model. In addition to the Ranger's base trim appoints, the Pacer received contoured seat backs, nylon upholstery cloth, color-keyed rubber floor mats, and extra stainless steel exterior and interior trim pieces and window moldings. A basic heater (as a US$92 option) and radio (at US$95) were available, and air conditioning was optional as well (at $417).^[2]

All Pacers rode on Ford's 118 in (2997 mm) wheelbase (except the wagons, which used a 116 in {2946 mm} wheelbase)^[3] and shared the Ranger’s engine choices, with a 303 hp (226 kW) 361 in³ (5.9 L) E-400 V8 (with two-barrel {twin choke} carburetor)^[4] as standard. (The 345 hp {257 kW} E-475 410 in³ {6.7 L}, standard in the Corsair and Citation, was not available.)^[5] A three-speed manual transmission was also standard. Buyers also could upgrade to a three-speed automatic transmission with a standard column-mounted gear selector, or choose Edsel’s highly promoted but trouble-prone Teletouch automatic, which placed its drive-selection buttons in the steering wheel hub, as a US$231 option.^[6]

While its roll-out was highly publicized in the fall of 1957, the 1958 Edsel was a marketing disaster for Ford and for Ford's corporate strategy for meeting General Motors product line for product line. Total Pacer output in U.S. and Canada for the model stood at 20,988 units, of which 1,876 were U.S.-built convertibles, 7,141 four-door sedans (6,083 U.S./1,058 Canada), 6,717 hardtop coupes (6,139 U.S./578 Canada), and 5,254 four-door hardtops (4,959 U.S./295 Canada). Prices for the Pacer ranged from US$2,700 to $2,993. Despite being among the best selling 1958 Edsel models, the Pacer was discontinued at the end of the 1958 model year. The premium Citation model was also dropped, as was the trouble prone Teletouch system.

Edsel Pacer 1958 Gallery

Edsel original 1958 'Horseshoe' Grille

Edsel 1958 Pacer by Roy A Brown Jr

Edsel 1958 rear wing

Edsel 1958 Pacer rear

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. 
• 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

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

v • d • e Edsel Models: Bermuda · Citation · Corsair · Pacer · Ranger · Roundup · Villager See also: Ernest Breech · Ford Motor Company · Edsel Ford · Comet · Robert McNamara · Marianne Moore · The Edsel Show · Teletouch