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Edsel Ranger

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Edsel Ranger
1959 Edsel Ranger two-door sedan
Overview
ManufacturerEdsel(Ford)
Production1957–1960
Model years1958–1960
AssemblyMahwah, New Jersey
Louisville, Kentucky
San Jose, California
Oakville, Ontario,Canada
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size
LayoutFR layout

TheEdsel Rangeris anautomobilethat was produced and sold by the newly formedEdsel DivisionofFordfor the 1958–1960 model years. It was built on the shorter, narrower Edsel platform, shared withFordandEdsel Pacermodels.[1]

The Ranger was the base trim model for Edsel in its first and second years as an automotive marque. It was available in two-doorcoupes,four-doorsedans,and two- and four-doorhardtopswith aconvertiblealso offered in 1960.

Rangeris one of three of Edsel's model nameplates reused by Ford Motor Company products,VillagerandCorsairbeing the others.

1958–1959

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First generation
1958 Edsel Ranger four-door sedan
Overview
Model years1958–1959
Body and chassis
Body style2-doorsedan
2-doorhardtop
4-doorhardtop
4-doorsedan
RelatedEdsel Pacer
Edsel Bermuda
Edsel Villager
Edsel Roundup
Ford Galaxie
Ford Fairlane
Ford Country Sedan
Ford Country Squire
Powertrain
Engine223 cu in (3.7 L)Mileage MakerI6
292 cu in (4.8 L)Ford Y-blockV8
361 cu in (5.9 L)FEV8
Transmission3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase1958: 118.0 in (2,997 mm)
1959: 120.0 in (3,048 mm)
Length213.2 in (5,415 mm) (car), 205.5 in (5,220 mm) (wagon)[2]
Width1958: 78.8 in (2,002 mm)[3]
1959: 79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Curb weight3,700–4,000 lb (1,678–1,814 kg)

The Ranger's base trim appointments included arm rests, a cigarette lighter, rear-view mirror, two coat hangers, and black rubber floor mats. On the exterior, Rangers received chrome around the rear quarter-panel cove molding. Two-tone paint was also optional. The main visual cue that makes differentiating most Rangers and the upmarket Pacer possible was the lack of stainless trim on the front doors and fenders. A very rare, optional, Ranger-only door trim was available from dealers early in the model year to be used together with the Pacer fender trim. A basic heater (as a $92 option) and radio (at $95) were available, and air conditioning was optional, as well (at $417),[4]along with seat belts, warning lights, automatic trunk opener, and rear-door child-safety lock covers.[5]

The Ranger rode on Ford's 118-inch (2997-mm) wheelbase (except the wagons, which used a 116-inch (2946-mm) wheelbase)[6]and a 303 hp (226 kW) 361 cu in (5.9 L)FEV8with a four-barrelcarburetor[7]was standard, as was a three-speedmanual transmission.Buyers could upgrade to a three-speedautomatic transmissionwith a standard column-mounted gear selector, or could choose Edsel's highly promoted, but trouble-proneTeletouchautomatic, which placed its drive-selection buttons in the steering wheel hub, as a $231 option.[4]The 345 hp (257 kW) 410 cu in (6.7 L)MELV8,standard in the Corsair and Citation, was not available.[6]

While their roll-out was highly publicized in the fall of 1957, Edsels were a marketing disaster for Ford and for Ford's corporate strategy for meetingGeneral Motors' product line for product line. Total U.S. and Canada Ranger output for the model stood at an estimated 21,301 units. Of those units, 4,615 were U.S.-built two-door sedans, 7,414 were four-door sedans (6,576 U.S./838 Canada), 6,005 were two-door hardtops (5,546 U.S./459 Canada), and 3,667 were four-door hardtops (3,077 U.S./190 Canada). Prices ranged from $2,529 to $2,990.[2]

In regrouping for the coming model year, the best-selling Pacer and the premiumCitationmodels were dropped for 1959, as was the trouble prone Teletouch transmission feature, which was replaced with the column-selector Mile-O-Matic[8](the Edsel division's branding for the two-speedFordomatic).

For 1959, the Ranger and the new top-line Corsair both shared the same 120-in wheelbase.[9]The frame was ladder-type.[9]Styling for the cars became more conservative, with the horsecollar grille being replaced by a shield shape filled with rows of bars. Body styles for the Ranger remained at two-door sedans and four-door sedans, and two and four-door hardtop bodies; 7,778 two-door sedans (all U.S.-built), 14,063 four-door sedans (12,814 U.S./1,249 Canada), 5,966 hardtops (5,474 U.S./492 Canada), and 2,451 four-door hardtops (2,352 U.S./99 Canada) were produced for 1959 in the U.S. and Canada. Prices ranged from $2,629 to $2,756.

Production Figures
Body Style 1958 1959
2-Door Hardtop 6,005 5,966
2-Door Sedan 4,615 7,778
4-Door Hardtop 3,667 2,451
4-Door Sedan 7,414 14,063
Total 21,701 30,258

Different platforms

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The model year of Edsel's introduction was a post-WWII high point of sorts for the Ford Motor Company. Three full-sized platforms of distinctly different interior widths were in use each by Lincoln, Mercury, and Ford, a situation that lasted until Ford received a much wider platform in 1960. Edsel shared both Mercury's and Ford's platform in 1958, so offers an insight into their differing interior dimensions.

1958 Comparison[10] Edsel Citation/Corsair Edsel Pacer/Ranger
Wheelbase 124.0 in (3,150 mm) 118.0 in (2,997 mm)
Overall length 218.9 in (5,560 mm) 213.2 in (5,415 mm)
Width 79.8 in (2,027 mm) 78.8 in (2,002 mm)
Height 56.8 in (1,443 mm) 56.2 in (1,427 mm)
Front head room 33.9 in (861 mm) 33.2 in (843 mm)
Front leg room 44.2 in (1,123 mm) 43.1 in (1,095 mm)
Front hip room 63.5 in (1,613 mm) 60.0 in (1,524 mm)
Front shoulder room 59.7 in (1,516 mm) 57.3 in (1,455 mm)
Rear headbroom 32.8 in (833 mm) 33.6 in (853 mm)
Rear leg room 43.4 in (1,102 mm) 40.7 in (1,034 mm)
Rear hip room 63.5 in (1,613 mm) 60.1 in (1,527 mm)
Rear shoulder room 59.7 in (1,516 mm) 57.0 in (1,448 mm)

1960

[edit]
1960 Edsel Ranger Convertible rear
Second generation
1960 Edsel Ranger four-door sedan
Overview
Model years1960
AssemblyLouisville, Kentucky
Allen Park, Michigan
Body and chassis
Body style2-doorsedan
2-doorconvertible
2-doorhardtop
4-doorhardtop
4-doorsedan
RelatedEdsel Villager
Ford Galaxie
Ford Fairlane
Ford Country Sedan
Powertrain
Engine223 cu in (3.7 L)Mileage MakerI6
292 cu in (4.8 L)Ford Y-blockV8
361 cu in (5.9 L)FEV8
Transmission3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase120.0 in (3,048 mm)
Width79.8 in (2,027 mm)
Curb weight3,800–4,000 lb (1,724–1,814 kg)

Introduced on October 15, 1959, the 1960 Ranger was now the only sedan Edsel offered, while theVillagername applied to two station wagons, six- and a nine-passenger models. The decision was made to eliminate not only the Corsair, but the vertical grille element, as well. The new grille had an "hourglass" appearance.[11]By this point, the 1960 model shared so many body panels and interior trim features with Ford, that the defining characteristics that distinguished Edsels from Fords were its taillights, grille, signal/parking lights, trim at the front of the sides of the fenders, and of course, name badges. It came with a ladder-type frame[12]and a 120-in wheelbase.[12]

On November 19, 1959, Ford discontinued the Edsel marque and the final car rolled off the assembly line by the end of the month, so the 1960 model never reached its own calendar year. The cars were effectively orphaned, since Ford stopped making parts for Edsels at that point. For its shortened and final model year, 2,571 Rangers and 275 Villager units were produced (all in the U.S.), with the rarest models being the convertible (76) and the four-door, 9-passenger Villager wagon (59, the rarest). The Villager is mentioned here so as to highlight the fact that the Ranger convertible was thesecondrarest of all Edsels produced. Original prices ranged from $2,643 to $3,000.

1960 Edsel Facts:

-Chief Stylist: Bud Kaufman -All 1960 Edsels were produced in the Louisville, KY manufacturing plant. (Although a few cars from the Allen Park, MI pilot plant are still in existence) -1960 Edsels introduced such innovations as horizontal coolant flow through the radiator to improve cooling, and placement of the muffler away from the passenger compartment to reduce heat. -Production of 1960 Edsels began on September 14, 1959 -Introduction of the 1960 line was made on October 15, 1959 -The last official day of Edsel assembly was November 19, 1959 -Total Production for all 1960 Ranger models: 2,571 (2,846 including Villager wagons)[13]

With such a limited production run-time, the 1960 model included some of the rarest Edsel models of any of the three model years.

Production Figures
Body Style Units
2-Door Convertible 76
2-Door Hardtop 295
2-Door Sedan 777
4-Door Hardtop 135
4-Door Sedan 1,288
Total 2,571

Counterfeit convertibles

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Because of the low production volumes in its three years, all Rangers are collectible; however, the 1960 Ranger convertible is frequently found as being counterfeit.

The process for converting a 1960 Ford Sunliner convertible into a 1960 Edsel model involves the simple swapping of trim parts and refashioning of the rear fenders, a simple task for those who have an Edsel parts car. Edsel enthusiasts are generally wary of 1960 Edsels that have been "found" or are offered at lower prices than the going rates. Buyers and enthusiasts can check the manufacturers code to verify if the VIN matches Edsel production numbers for November 1959. Another way of checking is to measure the wheelbase; a genuine Edsel rides on a 120 in (3,048 mm) wheelbase, while a converted Ford Sunliner has a 119 in (3,023 mm) wheelbase.[14][15]

References

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  1. ^Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr.American Cars 1946–1959(Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), p. 888.
  2. ^abFlory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008).American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year.McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.ISBN978-0-7864-3229-5.
  3. ^"Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Sell-O-Graph".Oldcarbrochures.com.Retrieved2011-11-09.
  4. ^abFlory, p.890.
  5. ^"1958 Edsel Page".
  6. ^abFlory, p.891.
  7. ^Ford Motor Company, Edsel Data, 1958 Official Reference Manual for Edsel Salesmen, p. F-8
  8. ^"Directory Index: Edsel/1959_Edsel/1959_Edsel_Prestige_Brochure".Oldcarbrochures.com.Retrieved2011-11-09.
  9. ^ab"Directory Index: Edsel/1959_Edsel/1959_Edsel_Prestige_Brochure".Oldcarbrochures.com.Retrieved2011-11-09.
  10. ^"1960 Edsel Quick Facts Booklet-02-03".Archived fromthe originalon 2015-10-09.Retrieved2015-08-29.
  11. ^ab"Directory Index: Edsel/1960_Edsel/1960_Edsel_Brochure".Oldcarbrochures.com.Retrieved2011-11-09.
  12. ^Gunnell, John A., ed. (1982).Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975.krause publications.ISBN0-87341-027-0.
  13. ^"Directory Index: Ford/1960_Ford/1960_Ford_Brochure".Oldcarbrochures.com.Retrieved2022-08-18.
  14. ^"Directory Index: Edsel/1960_Edsel/1960_Edsel_Brochure".Oldcarbrochures.com.Retrieved2022-08-18.

Further reading

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  • Bonsall, Thomas E. (2002).Disaster in Dearborn: The Story of the Edsel.Stanford University Press.ISBN0-8047-4654-0.
  • Duetsch, Jan (1976).The Edsel and Corporate Responsibility.Yale University Press.ISBN0-300-01950-5.
  • Heasley, Jerry (1977).The Production Figure Book For U.S. Cars.Motorbooks International.ISBN0-87938-042-X.
  • Triplett, Ty (1990).The Edsel Owner's Handbook, Second revision.International Edsel Club. n/a.
  • Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr.American Cars 1946-1959.Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008.
  • Ford Motor Company (1957).Edsel Data, 1958 Official Reference Manual for Edsel Salesmen.Ford Motor Company.
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