1958 Edsel Corsair 4 Door Hardtop
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. An inaugural year model of the Corsair came with some teething issues, most of these have been rectified on this car and boy oh boy does it have plenty of interior room. Check out this 1 of 6,355 built rare bird!
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Exterior
Not perfect, but certainly solid as Silver Gray Metallic and Frost White bathes this long and mighty car, with fairly straight steel panels, and decently minded gaps. A sweeping trim spear runs the front 2/3rd length of the car at the beltline and makes an artistic dip at mid rear door before opening up to encase the Frost White beltline insert 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 minor pitting and cloudiness of the chrome, as does the grille, and bumpers. A wrap-around windscreen fronts a massive chrome-trimmed greenhouse topped by the gray metal roof. The rear of the car sports cat eye style 3 lens tail lights on the ends of the small bat-style fins. All badging and brite-work is correct and attached and in pitted but usable condition throughout. 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 the lower section of the passenger's rear quarter panel. Standard issue wheel covers are on and decent 15-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 on the doors we see some two-tone red and gray vinyl on the stitched and embroidered panels along with shiny chrome for the sills, power window toggles, and chrome actuators. The inside seating reveals a tattered and faded, but complete split back bench with gray vinyl bolsters and faded red knitted vinyl for the inserts. A soiled ivory headliner hangs above and below is heavily soiled black rubber matting covering the floors. The original red steel dash is showing in good condition with lightly tarnished chrome, along with pulls, dials and bakelite buttons for the heater slides and radio pushbuttons. A worn and cracked black padded topper is up high on the dash and down low and center is an added chrome AC controller. 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 the teletouch shifter has been removed and a simple column shifter has taken its place. We note some heavy surface rust, bordering on invasive, coating the bottoms of the 4 doors.
Drivetrain
Under the snappy front hinged hood is an unrestored 410ci V8 that has a single 4-barrel carburetor on top under the expansive air cleaner assembly. A Ford-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. Some rot on the inner rockers can be noted throughout the sides where they greet the frame. This car sports power drum braking all around as well as independent coil sprung front suspension and rear leaf springs. We note an electric fuel pump has been added to ensure reliable fuel delivery
Drive-Ability
After checking the vitals and a fresh battery the engine did crank over but did not fire off. Some TLC is in order.
I'd say quite the project to fill your hands with, but 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!
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
X8SX703323
X-410ci V8 4bbl 345hp
8-1958
S-Sommerville, MA Assy Plant
X-Corsair 4 Door Hardtop
703323-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
STYLE 57A-Corsair 4 Door Hardtop
COLOR BBE-Silver Gray Metallic, Frost White
TRIM X-Gray Vinyl Bolsters, Red Cloth Inserts
DATE 15H-August 15th Build
TRANS 4-Pushbutton Automatic
AXLE 1-2.91 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
