Defending the Lemon 1

[5610winston]

1:48 WRONG! The base engine on the '58 Pacer and Ranger was a 361.

[BoudiccaBlanc]

1-2)

The Edsel had three problems:

1. Customer loyalty

2. Quality control

3. Timing -- Released during an economic downturn.

The problem with Edsel, Ford and Mercury cars of those years is that the Edsel line was never marketed by Ford regarding the placement of the auto in the "presitige" category within the Ford-Mercury-Lincoln line-up.

Was the Edsel a more prestigious Ford; but less prestigious than a Mercury? Or was the Edsel a car with more prestige than Mercury?

[BoudiccaBlanc]

2-2)

If an Edsel had more prestige than a Mercury; how much less prestige did the Edsel have compared to the Lincoln?

Or, was the Edsel a "glorified Ford" ???

---

Edsel, Ford and Mercury shared parts, But the Edsel's engineering wasn't that well thought-out; which caused quality problems. This also caused also caused quality problems within the Ford & Mercury lines (shortages)

Labor also wondered about this car. Whose line was going to be shut down for the Edsel?

[rrshadow2]

I've owned several Edsels over the years and currently have a 60 4door Ranger similar to red car in the clip. Nothing wrong with Edsels, they're just a Ford with more interesting trim

[Hearse62]

Great video but wanted to make one correction. The '58 Edsel was not offered with the 352, it was however offered with the 361.

[taylorgpa]

In my opionion, Ford was totally lost on styling for the 1960 models. I love the Edsel but I understand it didn't drive very well. Something about being to heavy and dove into corners.

[SCBianchi]

I still smile every time I see that Esel wheel with the Teletouch.

Everything on your new sports car is pretty much and idea from the 50s or 80s.

[puppetmaster983]

WTF was wrong with pacers?

[mysticmrsam]

I remember and have seen the 58 and 59 over the years ,but not the 1960...must not have made as many of them

[tbear4pa]

The Edsel was produced just about the same time as the Philco "Predicta" television set, between late 1957 through 1960 and had met a similar fate as that one did. By 1961, both were discontinued and that was when everything started to look plainer and a lot less fancy, like the removal of most of the chrome trim as well as the fins from cars, and TV's started to become more simpler looking as the 60's arose.

[SCBianchi]

@tbear4pa Dude did you see that Predicta they scored on American Pickers? Soooo 1950s it made me drool.

[2509SilverLink]

OMG!! Can you please send me those songs? In 2001 my dad bought a 1959 Ranger 2 Dr Sedan. In 2005 after a stroke he gave it to me (14 years old), then last year he sold it to a scrap man for $75. It was one of 5 1959 Edsels that left the factory in gold /white 2 tone with a green interior. This weekend I am going to pick my 3rd car up, a 1958 4 dr Corsair in copper & white 2 tone. It is the E-475 with the teletouch transmission.

[indestructableforce]

That E-475 is a MONSTER! I want to find one to put in a '32 Ford Traditional Hot Rod.

[JohnnyDesaint]

@indestructableforce STILL LOOKIN FOR THAT ENGINE? I GOT ONE WITH THE TRANNY

[indestructableforce]

@JohnnyDesaint Well, I've got me a project and a half right now restoring a '70 Chevy truck but down the road some I'd like to start on a project like that.

[JohnnyDesaint]

@indestructableforce well im parting out a 76 chevy van or ill sell the whole thing for 1000 bucks..keep that in mind

[lt1fan94]

i want an edsel gasser. that would be sweet.

[Williedsel]

Hey it;

An edsel today with the proper tuneup and small engine will deliver 17 to 18mpg. That is obtained at 75 miles and hour. Below 50 it is not as economical. They were built for speed and power.

[staceydan45]

Where did you find those old Edsel promotional songs. I'm a big fan of Edsels (my dad owns 3). Thanks for giving me more info in defense of them. Next time some smartass scoffs when I mention my father's cars I have some more ammunition.

[Williedsel]

Stacey;

It's good to see one more Edsel enthusiast. As far as the Edsel commercials, look under the Edsel Owners Club, or the International Club. My favorite is the one of it being an Edsel Salesmans Wife. Some are pure corn for todays market. This video seems to imply that the 58's had a six. Not true. The small engine was the E 400. 400lbs torque; 361 ci; and delivered 303 horsepower. The predicesor to the ford 390.

[Ebenoozen]

Just we "sheep" seem to jump on the band-wagon when something is deemed cool.. We also distain something, when all of a sudden it's deemed un-cool; Such was the case of the Edsel. Actually, poor marketing, and a recession helped to synch it's demise. The Edsel offered more bang-for-the-buck, compared to comparable Ford models. The '58 Edsel had a much nicer interior than the '58 Ford, and also offered more "gadgetry" than the comparable Ford models.

[Jurassic0Al]

Had I been in a position to buy cars in 1958, I probably would've seen the Edsel as weird and ridiculous at first- then, a few months or a year later, I would've walked into a dealership somewhere and bought three. The Edsel's an odd looking car, and it was a catastrophic failure for Ford, but I'm glad to see there are people today who like, even love, this eccentric, unusual car.

[grahamkeithtodd]

it did not stand a chance with a name like "EDSEL" named after ford's son Edsel ford...

it was really no worse then any us car of the time...

[ilikenylon]

i like edsel favvo