| Edsel Corsair | |
|---|---|
 1959 Edsel Corsair convertible | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Edsel (Ford) |
| Production | 1958–1959 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercury Monterey |
| Successor | Mercury Meteor |
The Edsel Corsair is an automobile that was produced and sold by Edsel in 1958 and 1959. For 1958, the Corsair was built on the longer, wider Edsel platform shared with Mercury. [1] For 1959, the Corsair shared the shorter, narrower Ranger platform with Ford.
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 1958 Edsel Corsair 2-door hardtop | |
| Overview | |
| Model years | 1958 |
| Assembly | Wayne Stamping & Assembly, Wayne, Michigan Somerville Assembly, Somerville, Massachusetts Los Angeles Assembly, Pico Rivera, California Oakville Assembly, Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop |
| Related | Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Mercury Park Lane Mercury Montclair Mercury Monterey Mercury Colony Park Mercury Voyager Mercury Commuter Edsel Citation |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 410 cu in (6.7 L) MEL V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 124.0 in (3,150 mm) |
| Length | 218.9 in (5,560 mm) [2] |
| Width | 79.8 in (2,027 mm) [2] |
| Height | 56.8 in (1,443 mm) |
| Curb weight | 4,300–4,400 lb (2,000–2,000 kg) |
The Corsair represented the next-to-highest trim level available within the Edsel brand. It rode on Edsel's 124 in (3150 mm) wheelbase. [3] In addition to higher-grade interior appointments, the Corsair also received additional stainless steel trim and deluxe wheel covers. Available either as a two-door or four-door hardtop, the Corsair, like the premium Citation, shared its roof lines with Mercury models, as well as internal body components. Body parts between the Corsair and Citation models could not be shared with either the Ranger or Pacer, which were built on the shorter, narrower Ford frames. A deep-dished safety steering wheel was standard. [4]
Like the Citation, the Corsair was powered by the 345 bhp (257 kW)410 cu in (6.7 L) MEL V8 (with four-barrel {four choke} carburetor), [5] and came equipped with Edsel’s Teletouch automatic as standard. (This was a US$231 option on Ranger and Pacer models.) [5] Unlike other Ford models that used a column-mounted gear selector, Teletouch placed its drive-selection buttons in the steering wheel hub where drivers were accustomed to finding the horn button. In emergency situations, damage to the transmission that might occur if the driver hit the Teletouch unit instead of the steering wheel's horn ring was prevented by an electro-hydraulic switch activated by internal transmission fluid pressure. A basic heater (as a US$92 option) and radio (at US$95) were available, and air conditioning was optional as well (at US$460). [5] Also optional were an automatic trunk release, [6] a tachometer, [7] [8] an automatic lube system, [9] seat belts, [10] a padded dash board, warning lights for low oil level and parking brake on, [4] [11] plus rear door safety locks to prevent young kids from opening them while the car is moving. [6]
While their rollout was highly publicized in the fall of 1957, Edsels were a marketing disaster for Ford and Ford's corporate strategy for meeting General Motors' product line for product line. Total Corsair output for the model stood at 9,987 units, only slightly better than the Citation. Of these units, 3,632 were hardtop coupes (3,312 U.S. and 320 Canadian-built) and 6,355 were four-door hardtops (5,880 U.S. and 475 Canadian-built). Prices for the Corsair in 1958 ranged from US$3,311 ($33,584 in 2022 dollars [12] ) to $3,390 ($34,385 in 2022 dollars [12] ).
| Body Style | Units |
|---|---|
| 2-Door Hardtop | 3,632 |
| 4-Door Hardtop | 6,355 |
| Total | 9,987 |
The model year of Edsel's introduction was a post-WW II high point of sorts for the Ford Motor Company.[ citation needed ] 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.[ citation needed ] Edsel shared both Mercury's and Ford's platforms in 1958, so offers an insight into their differing interior dimensions.[ citation needed ]
| 1958 comparison [13] | 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 headroom | 33.9 in (861 mm) | 33.2 in (843 mm) |
| Front legroom | 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 headroom | 32.8 in (833 mm) | 33.6 in (853 mm) |
| Rear legroom | 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) |
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 1959 Edsel Corsair 2-door hardtop | |
| Overview | |
| Model years | 1959 |
| Assembly | Louisville, Kentucky USA Oakville, Ontario, Canada |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan |
| Related | Edsel Ranger Edsel Villager Ford Galaxie Ford Fairlane Ford Custom Ford Country Squire |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 332 cu in (5.4 L) FE V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed manual 2-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 120.0 in (3,048 mm) [4] [14] |
| Length | 210.9 in (5,357 mm) |
| Width | 79.8 in (2,027 mm) |
| Height | 56.2 in (1,427 mm) Convertible: 56.7 in (1,440 mm) |
The 1959 Edsels were introduced in the fall of 1958. However, for the 1959 model year, the Citation and Pacer models were dropped from Edsel's model range for 1959, as was the trouble-prone Teletouch system. [4]
The 1959 Edsel styling was significantly toned down, as was the vertical grille assembly, which now featured a fine bar pattern. [15] The Corsair now represented the premium Edsel model range, replacing the discontinued Citation. Unlike in 1958, the Corsair now shared its body panels with the Ranger - the two being differentiated by trim and options. The Corsair also gained four-door sedan and convertible versions. The entire series was based on the 1959 Ford Fairlane 500.
The 1959 Corsair rode on a 120-in (3048-mm) wheelbase and the 361 cu in (5.9 L) FE V8 was standard in sedans, with either a two- or four-barrel carburetor [16] as was a three-speed manual transmission. Replacing the Teletouch transmission was the Mile-O-Matic, a two-speed automatic, or Dual-Power Drive three-speed automatic (only available with the 361). [17] The heater, defroster, and radio remained optional, as well. [16]
With total 1959 Corsair output at 9,318, the Corsair was discontinued. For 1959, 2,468 hardtop coupes (2,315 U.S./153 Canada), 1,812 four-door hardtops (1,694 U.S./118 Canada), 1,343 convertibles (all U.S.) and 3,695 four-door sedans (3,301 U.S./394 Canada), were produced; hardtop sales were down 31% in two-doors and 71% in four-doors against 1958. Prices ranged from US$2,812 to $3,072, down some 15% from the previous year. [18]
| Body Style | Units |
|---|---|
| 2-Door Convertible | 1,343 |
| 2-Door Hardtop Coupe | 2,468 |
| 4-Door Hardtop | 1,812 |
| 4-Door Sedan | 3,694 |
| Total | 9,318 |
Although a 1960 Corsair was never produced, Ford did originally consider offering it as a deluxe upgrade from the Ranger series. At least one prototype was produced, a two-door hardtop based on the Ford Galaxie Starliner. The prototype featured the 1960 Edsel grille, but with a huge vertical chrome bar at its center, rising above the hood line. Extra chrome trim along the sides (allowing for two-toning or a wide bright insert) was added, and the interior featured upgraded, contoured seats.
Although the 1960 Corsair was cancelled before production, the upgraded interior was available as an option on Rangers.[ citation needed ]
Edsel is a discontinued division and brand of automobiles that was marketed by the Ford Motor Company from the 1958 to the 1960 model years. Deriving its name from Edsel Ford, son of company founder Henry Ford, Edsels were developed in an effort to give Ford a fourth brand to gain additional market share from Chrysler and General Motors. Established as an expansion of the Lincoln-Mercury Division to three brands, Edsel shared a price range with Mercury; the division shared its bodies with both Mercury and Ford.
The Ford Galaxie is a full-sized car that was built in the United States by Ford for model years 1959 through 1974. The name was used for the top models in Ford's full-size range from 1958 until 1961, in a marketing attempt to appeal to the excitement surrounding the Space Race. In 1958, a concept car was introduced called "la Galaxie" which incorporated the headlights into pods inline with the grille and a reduced front profile.
The Ford Parklane is a station wagon that was produced by Ford for the 1956 model year. In line with the Chevrolet Nomad, the Parklane was a premium two-door station wagon, combining the body of the two-door Ford Ranch Wagon with trim elements of the Ford Fairlane sedan.
The Lincoln Continental is a series of mid-sized and full-sized luxury cars produced between 1939 and 2020 by Lincoln, a division of the American automaker Ford Motor Company. The model line was introduced following the construction of a personal vehicle for Edsel Ford, who commissioned a coachbuilt 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr convertible, developed as a vacation vehicle to attract potential Lincoln buyers. In what would give the model line its name, the exterior was given European "continental" styling elements, including a rear-mounted spare tire.
The Mercury Turnpike Cruiser is a series of automobiles that were produced by the Mercury division of Ford for the 1957 and 1958 model years. Named to commemorate the creation of the Interstate Highway System, the Turnpike Cruiser was marketed as the flagship Mercury model line, slotted above the Montclair when Mercury was positioned upmarket to luxury status when Edsel was introduced in 1958.
The Mercury Montclair is a series of full-size sedans that were manufactured and marketed over five generations by the Mercury division of Ford. The nameplate was used by the division twice, from the 1955 to the 1960 model years and from the 1964 to the 1968 model years. The model was offered as two-door and four-door hardtops, four-door pillared sedan, and a two-door convertible.
The Mercury Park Lane is a full-sized automobile that was produced by the Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. While not officially introduced as the replacement of the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, the Park Lane became the flagship of the Mercury model line upon its introduction. The second-generation Park Lane was positioned above the Mercury Montclair.
The Mercury Marquis is a model line of automobiles marketed by Mercury from 1967 to 1986. Deriving its name from a French nobility title, the Marquis was introduced as the divisional counterpart of the Ford LTD; four generations of the two model lines were paired through rebranding. Initially slotted as the flagship Mercury full-size range, the Marquis would serve as the basis for the later Mercury Grand Marquis.
The Mercury Meteor is an automobile that was produced by Mercury from the 1961 to 1963 model years. Adopting its nameplate from the namesake Ford of Canada brand, the Meteor was introduced as the base-trim full-size Mercury sedan, while the compact Mercury Comet shared a naming convention associated with the ongoing Space Race of the early 1960s. Slotted below the Mercury Monterey, the Meteor was the Mercury counterpart of the Ford Fairlane.
The Lincoln Capri is an automobile that was sold by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1952 until 1959. A full-size luxury car, the Lincoln Capri derives its name from an Italian island in the Gulf of Naples. Introduced as a premium trim variant of the two-door Lincoln Cosmopolitan, the Capri was introduced in 1952 as a stand-alone model line serving as the premium Lincoln. With the introduction of the Lincoln Premiere, the Capri replaced the Cosmopolitan as the standard Lincoln product line.
The Edsel Citation is an automobile that was produced by the Edsel division of Ford for the 1958 model year. The flagship Edsel model line, the Citation was offered as a two-door convertible; all Citation sedans were produced as hardtops. Slotted above the Corsair, the exterior of the Citation was distinguished by additional stainless steel trim and a gold-anodized aluminum cove panel.
The Edsel Roundup is a station wagon that was produced and sold by Edsel in 1958. Like the Villager and Bermuda station wagons, the Roundup was built on a 116-inch (2,946 mm) wheelbase shared with Ford's station wagons, as well as core body stampings. It had an approach angle of 21° and an overall length of 205.42 in.
The Edsel Pacer is an automobile that was produced and sold by Edsel in 1958. The Pacer was based on the shorter narrower Edsel platform, shared with Ford and the Ranger.
The Edsel Ranger is an automobile that was produced and sold by the newly formed Edsel Division of Ford for the 1958–1960 model years. It was built on the shorter, narrower Edsel platform, shared with Ford and Edsel Pacer models.
The Edsel Villager is a station wagon that was produced and sold by Edsel from 1958 to 1960. Like the two-door Roundup and premium Bermuda station wagons, the Villager was initially built on a 116 in wheelbase shared with Ford's station wagons, and, throughout its lifespan, shared Ford's wagons core body stampings. The Villager and the Ranger were the only two model names that existed throughout Edsel's three-year life span as an automobile marque.
The Ford Falcon is a model line of cars that was produced by Ford from the 1960 to 1970 model years. Though preceded by the Rambler American, the Falcon was the first compact car marketed by the Big Three American manufacturers.
The Mercury Eight is an automobile that was marketed by the Mercury division of Ford between 1939 and 1951. The debut model line of the Mercury division, Ford slotted the full-size Mercury Eight between the Ford Deluxe model lines and the Lincoln. In total, Ford assembled three generations of the Eight.
The 1955 Ford is an automobile which was produced by Ford in the United States for the 1955 model year and, in revised form, for the 1956 model year. A new design would be offered in 1957.
The Mercury Monterey is a series of full-size cars that were manufactured and marketed by the Mercury division of Ford from 1950 to 1974. Deriving its name from Monterey Bay, the initial Mercury Monterey served as the top-of-the-line two-door sedan model for 1950 and 1951 to compete with the hardtop models of Oldsmobile and Buick. It came with a vinyl roof covering, upgraded upholstery, and other features. The hardtop was introduced for 1952. During its production, the Monterey would be offered in multiple body styles, ranging from coupes, convertibles, sedans, hardtops, and station wagons.
The Mercury Voyager is a station wagon that was sold by the Mercury division of Ford for the 1957 and 1958 model years. For the 1957 model year, Mercury created a model range of station wagons distinct from sedans, following Ford. The Voyager served as the mid-range offering, slotted above the base-trim Mercury Commuter, with the woodgrained Colony Park serving as the top-range offering.
A division of Ford Motor Company (1956–59) | ||
| Models |  | |
| People | ||
| Related topics | ||
