|
Edsel
|
1957 - 1959 |
Country: |
|
Engine: |
Straight 6 & V8 |
Capacity: |
3655-6719 cc |
Power: |
147-350 bhp |
Transmission: |
3 spd. man 3 spd. auto |
Top Speed: |
145-174 km/h |
Number
Built: |
110,847 |
Collectability: |
|
|
|
The 1957 Edsel has been rather unceremoniously referred
to as a marketing blunder.
Timing was probably the major
reason for its reputation, as car buyers at the time
were looking more for smaller vehicles and the Edsel
became a victim of its own massive hype.
Ford pitched
this car at the lower medium market sector and forecast
sales to be in the 200,000 region.
Unfortunately only 62,000 cars were purchased in its
first year after Ford spent an enormous $250,000,000
to develop it.
Its critics blamed its unusual looks
with one pundit describing its vertical grille as "like
an Oldsmobile sucking a lemon".
In reality the Edsel was quite restrained with well
clipped fins and a nice clean profile. It was produced
under 15 different models creating a separate division
within Ford.
There was the usual six cylinder and V8 models running
on a three-speed manual or automatic transmission.
In 1959 Ford tried a mild restyle to cease the slide
in sales, and in 1960 a totally new shell appeared.
At any rate the Edsel stopped being produced by the
start of the new decade. Ironically this once ridiculed
car is now seen as a prized collectors piece. |