1959 Edsel Corsair 4 Door Sedan
During his early childhood, Edsel and his father worked side by side on cars. Later on, Edsel became more fascinated by the shapes of automobiles than by their inner workings. As a teenager, he built several speedsters, mostly T-based. Edsel was indulging in a common pastime of the day, one shared by quite a few young men with money, the difference being that Edsel had an unlimited supply of parts. This love of styling and building cars would come in very handy as time went on. As for the actual car, buyers didn't purchase the Edsel because it was a bad or ugly car. They didn't buy it because it didn't live up to the expectations the company created in the prior months with the epic advertising campaign. So actually, the first failure occurred for the Ford Edsel before anyone even saw the automobile.
For consignment, the car that has become synonymous with the word failure. Hold on though! Due to the fact it was so unpopular, and most people hated it, not too many were sold so there are not many around. This second year model of the Corsair corrected some of the teething issues found in the 1st model year and had plenty of interior room. Check out this 54,122 title verified actual mileage rare bird!
Exterior
Not perfect but certainly solid as Mist Green and Snow White bathes this long and mighty car, with fairly straight steel panels, and decently minded gaps. A white spear trimline runs the length of the car at the beltline and makes an artistic dip at mid rear door before melting back to a thin spear at the tail of the car. With the dual headlights flanking the horizontal grille ends, and the iconic vertical center known as the "toilet seat" or "vulva" grille, it was either loved or hated. This one presents in good condition with almost no pitting and cloudiness of the chrome, as does the grille, and bumpers. A wraparound windscreen fronts a massive chrome trimmed greenhouse topped by the white metal roof. The rear of the car sports cat eye style 3 lens tail lights and a swooping Edsel badged spear across the trunk lid. All badging and brite work is correct and attached and in good condition throughout, as over embellishment abounds, right down to the complex design and the chromed side view mirrors. Some rust bubbling is noted on the lower panels with the worst area being over top of the rear wheelhouses. Standard turbine style wheel covers are on and like new 14-inch tires are seen all around.
Interior
Speaking of 50s styling, it continues in earnest with the interior and a swing of the doors. Here we see two tone green with a light green on the stitched and embroidered vinyl top and a darker green grid embossed vinyl panel below in which is dressed with some chrome trimmings, a dark green arm rest and snappy chrome cranks and actuators. The inside seating reveals clean and complete split back benches with lighter green vinyl bolsters and beige reception cloth for the inserts. A tight light green headliner hangs above and below is fairly clean dark green low pile carpeting. I feel like this car may have an identity crisis with all the shades of green seen on all the different surfaces. The original green dash is showing in good condition with lightly tarnished chrome, along with pulls, dials and bakelite buttons for the heater slides and radio pushbuttons. We have to give an A for effort though as it is futuristic with its highlight being chrome and LOTS OF IT! The original steering wheel is present and accounted for but gone this year is the teletouch shifter, a simple column shifter has taken its place.
Drivetrain
Under the revised for '58 rear hinged hood is an unrestored 361ci V8 that has a single 4-barrel carburetor on top. A Mile-O-Matic 3-speed automatic is the column version previously mentioned. On the back is a Ford 9-inch 2.91 rear axle.
Undercarriage
Underneath looks quite good with some surface rust, a solid frame as well as floor pans. An overall patina coats the chassis with its black finish of the applied undercoating. This car sports drum braking all around as well as independent front suspension and rear leaf springs. A stock style single exhaust is in charge of the exhale and is standing out against the black with its nearly new silver finish glory.
Drive-Ability
The car fired up and off to the test track I went. It ran smoothly and has some lumbering handling and braking needs to be planned ahead of time. The reverse lights did not illuminate and the clock is only correct twice a day, but all other functions are working as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
I'd say a perfectly serviceable and drivable car that you can fill your hands with and enjoy as is or take to the next level. Whichever route you go in the end, you will own a rare example, and be able to tool around looking like the quintessential 50's suburban family styling. Boop Boop Be Doop!
W9US720111
W-361ci 4bbl V8
9-1959
U-Louisville, KY Assy Plant
S-Corsair 4 Door Sedan
720111-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 58B-Corsair 4 Door Sedan
COLOR RE1-Mist Green & Snow White
TRIM 53-Green Vinyl & Reception loth
DATE 16A-January 16th
TR 4-Ford O Matic
AXLE 5-Ford 9" 2.91 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
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