edsel

Description

1958 Edsel Corsair Two-door Hardtop Description

1958 Edsel Corsair Two-door Hardtop

1958 was the only year for the larger, Mercury-based Corsair models Seldom seen car – one of 712 two-door Corsair hardtops built at the Wayne, Michigan factory in 1958; one of 3,312 total two-door Corsair hardtops built in 1958 Three-owner car Partial refurbishment in 2001 and 2002 Rebuilt 410 CID E-475 V-8 engine with dual exhausts Three-speed “Teletouch” Pushbutton Automatic Transmission (code 4) and 2.91:1 rear end (code A) Frost White over Spruce Green Metallic (code LLE) exterior Period correct Light Green vinyl and Medium Green cloth interior (code D) Recent brake and transmission services Extensive documentation – assorted books, manuals and records, a photo album documenting the 2001-2002 body and mechanical work, several spare parts Spare Teletouch parts include a second rebuilt shifter motor, a set of steering wheel controls, a center tube with intact slip rings, relays, and fender skirts.

Unobtanium. Hen’s Teeth. A 1958 Edsel Corsair Two-door Hardtop. Don’t ask us where to find the first two but we have the third one at MotoeXotica Classic Cars. This example was built at Ford’s Wayne, Michigan (VIN code W) factory on September 5, 1957 (code J5). Nineteen fifty-eight was the only year the larger, Mercury-based Corsair models were available.

This Edsel has had three owners. The previous owner acquired the car in 2017 from a family member who purchased it from the original owner in 1985. Some extra stuff that comes from the previous owner are spare Teletouch parts include a second rebuilt shifter motor, a set of steering wheel controls, a center tube with intact slip rings, relays, and fender skirts.

Finished in Frost White (roof and scallop) over Spruce Green Metallic (code LLE), the car’s paint and trim are in overall very good original condition. There are minor blemishes and fading visible upon close inspection. The car’s windows are original, clear and mostly intact. However, there is a small pit in the lower center of the windshield. The car’s lights are in similar good condition.

The car’s bodywork is straight and solid, its engine bay is quite tidy and the car’s bumpers fit tightly to the body. The Edsel rolls on BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall radials, size 8.00-14 at all four corners. The car has original wheel covers with color-matched centers and the car includes a pair of rear fender skirts.

Under the hood is a 410 CID V-8 breathing through true dual exhausts. The motor is mated to a three-speed “Teletouch” pushbutton automatic transmission (code 4) and backed by a 2.91:1 rear axle (code A). A partial revamp of the car during 2001 and 2002 included a rebuild of its engine and exterior touch-ups, plus new carpet and front seat upholstery. The car has had recent maintenance work, including a new front wheel cylinder, brake system bleed, a shift motor rebuild and new relays for the Teletouch transmission.

Inside, the car’s seats, with Light Green vinyl bolsters and Medium Green cloth inserts (code D), are in overall great condition. The new front seat upholstery came from SMS Auto Fabrics and is period correct. The newer green carpet is in satisfactory condition while the white headliner and factory three-spoke steering wheel look great. A few words about that steering wheel: the hub is where you’ll find the controls for the transmission; no lever on the column or buttons on the dashboard. Another unique Edsel feature includes the floating barrel speedometer. However, the heater, fuel gauge, horn and wipers are all inoperable. The instrument panel wears a new dash pad but is in otherwise satisfactory shape. The inner door liners are in similar satisfactory order. Finishing the interior is a factory AM radio.

For the 1958 model year, Ford produced four sub-models of Edsel: the larger Mercury-based Citation and Corsair and the smaller Ford-based Pacer and Ranger. The Citation was offered in two-door and four-door hardtop and two-door convertible versions. The Corsair was available in two-door and four-door hardtop versions. The Pacer was available as a two-door or four-door hardtop, four-door sedan or two-door convertible. The Ranger was sold in two-door and four-door hardtop or sedan versions. The four-door Bermuda and Villager wagons and the two-door Roundup wagon were based on the 116-inch wheelbase/Ford station wagon platform and shared the trim and features of the Ranger and Pacer models.

1958 Edsel Innovations

Floating speedometer that glows when a pre-set speed limit is exceeded Automatic transmission locks in park until ignition key turned (new with Edsel – still used today) Top portion of seats slant forward to provide shoulder support Triple-thermostat cooling system (head/block/radiator) during warm-up for increased fuel economy and heater performance (E-475 engine) Front-mounted distributor, coil, fuel pump, oil filter dipstick for easy access. Hood hinged in the front for safety (Although, this somewhat limits access to the aforementioned distributor, etc!) Hood release controlled electronically from inside the car The front seats were split 60/40 for better driver comfort Promoted self-adjusting brakes as a safe and convenient method of compensating for normal brake lining wear. This mechanism has been used in drum brake systems ever since (They were not, however, an Edsel invention as is commonly thought. The same basic design was introduced on the 1948 Studebaker.) A huge array of bells and whistles available as options! In an effort to boost sales, the Edsel Division ran a short-lived promotion where the new Edsel owner had a chance to win a live pony

The “horsecollar” grille was considered part of the bumper assembly. The center chrome section is officially known as the “impact ring.” To make it seem even more powerful, the 1958 Edsel displays its torque rating (“400” and “475”) on the engine. Traditionally, it’s the cubic displacement or horsepower that’s advertised.

By 1957, not all states had accepted the use of “quad” headlamps. As a precaution, Edsel designers developed the front fender opening large enough to accommodate two 5.5-inch lenses or a single seven-inch lamp. The Villager station wagon was originally called the “Caravan.” There was even a production-ready script design.

The cars’ plastic hood ornament inserts had to be rationed, as employees were fond of sneaking them out of the assembly plants. Once on the car, the wind blew out many, until a redesigned retaining ring design was implemented.

This car has extensive documentation – assorted books, manuals and records, a photo album documenting the 2001-2002 body and mechanical work, several spare parts and more.

Competition to this Edsel in 1958 included Buick’s Electra two-door hardtop, DeSoto’s Adventurer two-door hardtop, Dodge’s Royal Lancer Super two-door hardtop, Mercury’s Montclair and Monterey Phaeton two-door hardtops, Oldsmobile’s 98 Holiday Coupe two-door hardtop and Pontiac’s Bonneville two-door hardtop.

If you’re a fan of “orphan” makes and models, or if you enjoy collecting seldom seen models, like the Edsel, drop by MotoeXotica Classic Cars today to examine this one before taking it home.

VIN: X8WW701450

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 46,354 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.

Specifications Asking Price: Miles: 46,354 VIN: X8WW701450 Year: 1958 Make: Edsel Model: Corsair Title: Clear Warranty: No Condition: Used Options: Engine: 410 CID V-8 Transmission: Three-speed Automatic Body: Sedan Doors: 2 Stock Number: 180447 Lot Number: Exterior: Frost White over Spruce Green Metallic Interior: Light Green with Medium Green