Editing Edsel (section)

==Models==

===1958===
{{multiple image
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|image1 = Edsel Pacer 1958 (4922383186).jpg
|image2 = 1958 Edsel Pacer Convertible - interior (7612478584).jpg
|footer = (Left): A 1958 [[Edsel Pacer]] two-door hardtop. (right): An Edsel Pacer interior, showing the [[Teletouch]] system and Rolling Dome speedometer
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For its inaugural model year, Edsel introduced a seven-model product line, including four sedans and three station wagons.<ref name="flory2008">{{cite book|last=Flory Jr.|first=J. "Kelly"|title=American Cars, 1946–1959 Every Model Every Year|year=2008|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|isbn=978-0-7864-3229-5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Foldout|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Foldout/1958%20Edsel%20Foldout-02.html|access-date=2020-09-26|website=www.oldcarbrochures.com}}</ref>  The lower-trim [[Edsel Ranger]] and [[Edsel Pacer]] shared bodies with [[1957 Ford|Ford Fairlane]] sedans ({{convert|118|in|cm|adj=on}} wheelbase) while the higher-trim [[Edsel Corsair]] and [[Edsel Citation]] shared bodies with the [[Mercury Monterey#1957–1958|Mercury Monterey]] and [[Mercury Montclair#Second generation (1957–1958)|Mercury Montclair]] sedans ({{convert|124|in|cm|adj=on}} wheelbase).<ref name="flory2008" />  Sharing its body and {{convert|116|in|cm|adj=on}} wheelbase with Ford station wagons, Edsel had the two-door [[Edsel Roundup]] and the four-door [[Edsel Villager]] and [[Edsel Bermuda]].

The Edsel model line had multiple design features that were considered innovative.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Foldout|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Foldout/1958%20Edsel%20Foldout-03.html|access-date=2011-11-08|website=OldCarBrochures.com}}</ref>  In place of a horizontal strip or a round dial, the [[speedometer]] was a rotating dome. In line with aircraft design, the dashboard adopted warning lights for conditions such as low oil level, parking brake engaged, and engine overheating.<ref name=":0" />  While not equipped with [[cruise control]], Edsel introduced a speed warning on the speedometer if the driver exceeded a preset speed limit.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Features|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Features/1958%20Edsel-10.html|access-date=2020-09-26|website=www.oldcarbrochures.com}}</ref>  While a standard column-mounted transmission shifter was offered, as a delete option, Edsel marked the introduction of the [[Teletouch]] push-button shifting system, mounted in the steering wheel hub.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Features|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Features/1958%20Edsel-02.html|access-date=2020-09-26|website=www.oldcarbrochures.com}}</ref>

Edsels integrated many elements of the [[Lifeguard (automobile safety)|Ford Lifeguard]] safety package into its design.  Along with optional seatbelts, Edsels featured a deep-dish steering wheel, double-latched doors, and childproof rear door locks.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Sell-O-Graph|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Sell-O-Graph/1958%20Edsel%20Sell-O-Graph-04a.html|access-date=2011-11-08|website=OldCarBrochures.com}}</ref> The model line was among the first to introduce remote-operated trunk opening and self-adjusting brakes.<ref name=":1"/>

In the first year, 63,110 Edsels were sold in the United States, and 4,935 were sold in Canada. Though below expectations, this nevertheless represented the second-largest launch for any new car brand to date, exceeded only by the [[DeSoto (automobile)|DeSoto]] introduction in 1929. One four-door Citation model was purchased and delivered in October 1957 to the United Kingdom for [[Ian Russell, 13th Duke of Bedford]]. Its current whereabouts is unknown.  In January 1958, the free-standing Edsel division was added to Lincoln–Mercury, with the re-christened Mercury–Edsel–Lincoln Division (M–E–L) adopting Edsel sales and marketing operations.  As the model year progressed and sales fell under expectations, multiple Edsel-only dealers closed or expanded their brand offerings with the encouragement of Ford Motor Company, including Lincoln–Mercury or imported [[Ford of Britain]] and [[Ford of Germany]] franchises.

===1959===
[[File:59 Edsel Villager (9129538161).jpg|thumb|A 1959 Edsel Villager]]
For the 1959 model year, Ford revised the market position of Edsel, slotting it between Ford and Mercury.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1959 Edsel Extra News Folder|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1959_Edsel/1959%20Edsel%20Extra%20News%20Folder/image1.html|access-date=2020-09-26|website=www.oldcarbrochures.com}}</ref>  To reflect the marketing change, the Mercury-based Citation was withdrawn and the Corsair became a higher-trim version of the Ranger. The Pacer was also discontinued. The station wagon line was pared down to the Villager wagon, dropping the two-door Roundup and wood-trim Bermuda. While all Edsel sedans used a Ford body, their wheelbase was {{convert|120|in|cm|adj=on}}, 2 inches longer.

In response to the widely negative response to 1958 Edsel exteriors, the exterior of 1959 Edsels underwent a restyling to tone down its appearance.  While the vertical center grille made its return, following heavy revision, a redesign of the hoodline integrated the headlamps into a full-width outer grille, visually lowering the hoodline. A similar revision of the rear fascia repositioned the taillamps.  Being based on the 1959 Ford, Edsels received the same roof design as the Fairlanes. Although Ford got a new luxury series of cars mid year, the Galaxie, Edsel never got an equivalent series, further eroding its appeal as a medium price automobile.

The 1959 Edsel interior dropped several features to increase its commonality with Ford.  The push-button [[Teletouch]] transmission controls were withdrawn, alongside the rotating-dome speedometer, as Edsel introduced a slightly restyled version of the Ford Fairlane 500 dashboard. The optional climate control and fully padded dashboard returned.<ref name="oldcarbrochures.com">{{Cite web|title=Directory Index: Edsel/1959_Edsel/1959_Edsel_Prestige_Brochure|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1959_Edsel/1959_Edsel_Prestige_Brochure/1959%20Edsel%20Prestige-09-10.html|access-date=2020-09-26|website=www.oldcarbrochures.com}}</ref>  Alongside the use of distinct interior trim from Ford, Edsel had a 70/30 split-bench seatback for Corsairs.<ref name="oldcarbrochures.com" /> In 1967, Ford returned the split-bench seatback on the [[Ford LTD (Americas)|Ford LTD]], continuing it into the 2010s on its full-size cars.

In 1959, Edsel sold 44,891 vehicles in the United States. 2,505 vehicles were sold in Canada.

===1960===
For the 1960 model year, Edsel saw its model line reduced further, offering only the Ranger sedans, hardtop, and convertible alongside the Villager station wagon.  Redesigned alongside [[1960 Ford]]s, 1960 Edsels were released with a far more muted styling than their 1958 namesake.

Sharing nearly its entire body with Ford, Edsel abandoned its trademark vertical grille in favor of a split grille, similar to the 1959 Pontiac. For the first time, a full-width front bumper was used.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=1960 Edsel Quick Facts Brochure|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1960_Edsel/1960%20Edsel%20Quick%20Facts%20Brochure/image2.html|access-date=2020-09-26|website=www.oldcarbrochures.com}}</ref>  While sharing their tailfins with Ford, the rear fascia of Edsels were distinguished by four oblong vertical taillamps.<ref name=":2" />  Distinguished primarily by their grille and taillamps, the 1960 Edsels were fitted with model-specific hoods, bumpers, and body-side trim.  The four-door Ranger hardtop had no direct Ford equivalent, as it combined the roofline of the Fairlane with the doors of the Galaxie.  The two-door hardtop shared its body with the Ford Galaxie Starliner, minus the star emblems on the "C" pillar.

In a design advance, the muffler was relocated from below the passenger compartment to the rear of the car, intended for better muffler protection and less heat and noise intrusion to the passenger compartment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1960 Edsel Quick Facts Brochure|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1960_Edsel/1960%20Edsel%20Quick%20Facts%20Brochure/image6.html|access-date=2021-07-31|website=www.oldcarbrochures.com}}</ref>

The 1960 Edsels were produced between October 15 and November 19, 1959.  In total, 2,846 vehicles were produced at the Louisville Assembly, except for the pilot prototypes.

===Discontinuation===
[[File:Edsel Ranger 4-door sedan.jpg|thumb|A 1960 Edsel Ranger sedan]]
Ford announced the end of the Edsel program on November 19, 1959. Production continued until late in November, with 2,846 model year 1960 cars produced. Total Edsel sales were approximately 116,000, less than half the company's projected break-even point. The company lost $350&nbsp;million, the equivalent of ${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|350000000|1959|r=-8}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars,{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} on the venture.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Peter |last1=Collier |first2=David |last2=Horowitz |title=The Fords: An American Epic |year=1987 |publisher=Summit Books |page=[https://archive.org/details/fordsamericanepi00coll/page/263 263] |isbn=9780671540937 |url=https://archive.org/details/fordsamericanepi00coll/page/263 }}</ref> Only 118,287 Edsels were built, including 7,440 produced in [[Oakville Assembly|Oakville, Ontario, Canada]]. By U.S. auto industry standards, these production figures were dismal, particularly when spread across a run of three model years.

On November 20, 1959, [[United Press International]]'s (UPI) wire service reported that book values for used Edsels had declined by as much as $400, based on condition and age, immediately following the Ford press release. In some newspaper markets, dealers scrambled to renegotiate newspaper advertising contracts involving the 1960 Edsel models, while others dropped the name from their dealerships' advertising entirely. Ford issued a statement that it would distribute coupons to customers who purchased 1960 models, and carryover 1959 models, prior to the announcement, valued at $300 to $400 toward the purchase of new Ford products to offset the decreased values. The company issued credits to dealers for stock unsold or received, following the announcement.