1959 Edsel Ranger

The Edsel Ranger was in production from 1958 through 1960 and was one of three Edsel nameplates previously used by the Ford Motor Company - the other being the Villager and Corsair. The Ranger was Edsel's entry-level vehicle offered as a two- and four-door sedan, a hardtop coupe, and a hardtop sedan. In 1959, prices were approximately $2,675 for the two- and four-door sedan, and the hardtop coupe. The hardtop sedan listed for $2,760. The most popular body style was the sedan with 12,814 examples built. 7,778 were two-door sedans, 2,352 were hardtop sedans, and 5,474 were two-door hardtop coupes.

The engine powering the Ranger was an overhead-valve, 292 cubic-inch V8 with a compression ratio of 8.8:1, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a two-barrel carburetor, and delivered 200 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission was standard equipment. Power brakes, power steering, power windows, and two-tone paint were on the list of optional equipment. Standard equipment included positive action windshield wipers, two coat hooks, a color-keyed vinyl headliner, four armrests, front and rear ashtrays, front foam seat cushions, an air cleaner, a cigarette lighter, carpeting, and an electric clock.

The Edsel Ranger rested on a 120-inch wheelbase, shared with the new top-line Corsair, with a ladder-type frame. Standard equipment included a cigarette lighter, two coat hangers, black rubber floor mats, an armrest, and a rear-view mirror. The styling was similar to other Edsel models, distinguished by a lack of chrome and stainless trim on the fenders and front doors. The prior horsecollar grille of 1958 was replaced by a shield shape filled with rows of bars and an Edsel badge at the top. Some of the sheet metal was shared with Ford. A Ranger script was located near the rear body corner, under the sweep spear. In the back was a one-piece bumper and the deck lid had a wide center depression with a simulated chrome air vent.

The Ford/Edsel management had hoped to sell approximately 200,000 vehicles in 1958, but sales fell far short of those expectations with 63,100 sold in the United States, and 4,935 in Canada. Although much lower than anticipated, it was the second-largest launch for any new car brand to date, with only DeSoto's introduction in 1929 being higher.

Edsel retained its highest-selling model lines for 1958, including the Ranger and Corsair sedans and Villager station wagon. The Mercury-based Edsels were dropped, with all Edsel vehicles now sharing their bodies with Ford. Sales did not respond, with 44,891 examples sold in the United States and 2,505 in Canada. The following year, the Edsel Ranger and the Villager were the only models that remained, with the Ranger being the only ones to offer a sedan. The Village was a six- and nine-passenger station wagon.

1960 was the final year for Edsel with 2,846 examples produced between October 15th and November 19th of 1959, the date that Ford announced the end of the Edsel program. The company lost approximately $350 million and only 118,287 examples were built, including 7440 produced in Ontario, Canada.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020