1958 Edsel Ranger 2-door Hardtop

1958 Edsel Ranger 2-door Hardtop
Chassis no. W8UG719481
361ci V8 Engine
Single 4-bbl Carburetor
303bhp at 4,600rpm
3-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*A rare survivor of a Ford idea gone wrong
*Partially restored, but in need of some TLC
*Attractive five-passenger hard-top coupe
*Unlikely to see another in your neighborhood

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Shed a tear for the poor Edsel, if you can. Although it came to market after one of the most intensive marketing research efforts ever done ahead of a new model design and launch - at a cost of some $250 million over nine years - it was, in spite of being a pretty good car, doomed from the start. Named for Henry Ford's eldest son, the Edsel was aimed at General Motor's Oldsmobile and Buick, along with the Chrysler New Yorker. It was offered in two basic sizes, and each of those in two flavors: The "Junior" Ranger and Pacer series were based on the 118-inch wheelbase Ford Fairlane, and had a 361 cubic inch V8, while the "Senior" Corsair and Citation were based on the 124-inch wheelbase Mercury line and boasted 401-inch engines. Edsels were quite luxurious for its day, but their rejection by consumers was tied to their strange front end design, with a protruding, horse-collar-shaped center grille opening flanked by rectangular ribs on either side, along with quad headlights. The rear quarters featured long recessed coves, painted - along with the roof - a contrasting color. Thin wing-like tail-lights atop flattened fins also presented a different look, although Chevrolet's "Cat's-eye" tail-lights in 1959 were just as strange. That tall grille design might have worked for Packard and Ettore Bugatti in decades past, but Americans shunned it. As the nation was working its way through an economic recession, Ford fans opted for the less-expensive and more conventional Fairlane and Mercury. Edsels had some interesting technology, such as its automatic transmission "Tele-touch" gear change pushbuttons in the center of the steering wheel hub. Today, Edsels are collector's items, rarely seen outside museums and car shows, but they remain head-turners when they happen to appear. Only 68,000 were built in 1968, far short of projections. Just 110,000 Edsel coupes, sedans, wagons, and convertibles were built over three-plus years. Today, fewer than 6000 survive.
Because of their scarcity, Edsels of any sort rarely come to market, but we are pleased to offer this partially-restored 1958 Ranger Hardtop, finished in Royal Blue Metallic Blue with a white roof and rear cove. The interior is trimmed in light beige vinyl and blue "Surf Pattern" fabric. This car was originally equipped with the "Tele-touch" pushbutton system but it appears to be inoperative, and a floor shift unit has been installed.