1959 Edsel Corsair

The concept behind the Edsel automobile was simple enough and one that had been used many times throughout the history of the automobile. In this case, it was designed to given Ford Motor Company customers an economical step upward in presence, features and prestige and bridge the gap between Ford and Mercury. This concept had worked for General Motors, with Pontiac between Chevrolet and Oldsmobile and for Chrysler with Dodge between Plymouth and DeSoto. The Edsel, however, serves as a lesson in production planning one awry and one that Chrysler also recognized in 1961, only three years later, when it pruned its model lineup and dropped the DeSoto.

For 1959, the Edsel lineup was much smaller, with models including the Ford-based Ranger and Corsair. Engine choices had dwindled. It would effectively be the end for the marque's history with 44,891 examples built. A lot had happened since the plans were put into motion for the Creation of Ford's Edsel in the early 1950s. At the time, the economy was strong and growing, and Americans thirst for high-powered, fully equipped, chrome-clad cars was unquenchable. The Edsel had been introduced on September 4th of 1957, the same year the economy was hit by a flash recession, limiting consumer's resources. Initially, this did not deter the public from flocking to dealerships for the Edsel's introduction. Only few left with a set of Edsel keys in hand and sales reflected the public's disappointment in the new product. The economic recession and production delays combined to make its introduction the wrong time to promote a new premium brand. The daring new design was 'conventionalized' to lower production costs, and it came to market priced between Ford and Mercury. One of the elements that survived from the original concept was the oval or 'horse-collar' grille. It was unique, distinctive, unmistakable, and different. The mechanical components were identical to the Ford engines and transmissions.

Edsel was the first name of founder Henry Ford's only son. Edsel Ford was also the father of Henry Ford II who was the company's President when the car line was introduced in 1958.

The Edsel automobile was a $250 million investment, and despite its market failure, it did provide Ford with the expanded production capacity for another new car that required it, the new compact 1960 Ford Falcon.

For 1959, the Corsair was basically an Edsel Ranger with a larger engine and a longer list of standard amenities and features. The Corsair Sedan rested on the same platform as the Ranger, along with many other similarities. Distinguishable features included the placement of side trim on the Corsair and differences in the body styles offered. The Convertible was the easiest to identify as it was available on the Corsair but not on the Ranger. Bodystyles on the Corsair included a sedan, 2- and 4-door hardtop, and convertible. Prices began at just over $2,800. The most popular body style was the sedan with 3,301 examples sold. 1,343 were convertibles and 1,694 were the 4-door hardtop sedan. The overhead-valve 332 cubic-inch V8 engine had 8.9:1 compression and delivered 225 horsepower. Its wheelbase measured 120 inches and it had an overall length of 210.9 inches. A three-speed manual with column control was standard with a two-speed Mile-O-Matic optional. An overdrive transmission was not officially listed as a factory option, but a few examples were factory-built with this transmission.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019

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