Edsel Corsair

File:1958 Edsel Corsair four-door hardtop at the Rambler Ranch 6of7.jpg

{{Infobox automobile

| name = First generation

| image = 1958 Corsair Daten.jpg

| caption = 1958 Edsel Corsair 2-door hardtop

| model_years = 1958

| wheelbase = {{convert|124.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| length = {{convert|218.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| assembly = Wayne Stamping & Assembly, Wayne, Michigan
Somerville Assembly, Somerville, Massachusetts
Los Angeles Assembly, Pico Rivera, California
Oakville Assembly, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

| body_style = 2-door hardtop
4-door hardtop

| width = {{convert|79.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Sell-O-Graph/1958%20Edsel%20Sell-O-Graph-04a.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Sell-O-Graph |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}}

| height = {{convert|56.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| transmission = 3-speed automatic

| weight = {{convert|4300|-|4400|lb|kg|abbr=on}}

| engine = {{convert|410|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} MEL V8

| related = Mercury Turnpike Cruiser
Mercury Park Lane
Mercury Montclair
Mercury Monterey
Mercury Colony Park
Mercury Voyager
Mercury Commuter
Edsel Citation

}}

The Corsair represented the next-to-highest trim level available within the Edsel brand. It rode on Edsel's 124 in (3150 mm) wheelbase.Flory, p.892. 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.{{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}}

Like the Citation, the Corsair was powered by the {{cvt|345|bhp|kW|0}} {{convert|410|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} MEL V8 (with four-barrel {four choke} carburetor),Flory, p.890. and came equipped with Edsel’s Teletouch automatic as standard. (This was a US$231 option on Ranger and Pacer models.) 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). Also optional were an automatic trunk release,{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Accessories/1958%20Edsel%20Acc-01f.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Accessories |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}} a tachometer,{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Accessories/1958%20Edsel%20Acc-01d.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Accessories |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}}{{cite book|title=Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975|year=1982 |publisher=krause publications|isbn=0-87341-027-0|editor=Gunnell, John A.}} an automatic lube system,{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Accessories/1958%20Edsel%20Acc-03a.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Accessories |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}} seat belts,{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Accessories/1958%20Edsel%20Acc-01g.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Accessories |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}} a padded dash board, warning lights for low oil level and parking brake on,{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Foldout/1958%20Edsel%20Foldout-03.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Foldout |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}} plus rear door safety locks to prevent young kids from opening them while the car is moving.

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$3,311 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3311|1958}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) to $3,390 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|3390|1958}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}).

{{clear}}

The model year of Edsel's introduction was a post-WW II high point of sorts for the Ford Motor Company.{{cn|date=December 2018}} 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.{{cn|date=December 2018}} Edsel shared both Mercury's and Ford's platforms in 1958, so offers an insight into their differing interior dimensions.{{cn|date=December 2018}}

{{clear}}

{{Infobox automobile

| name = Second generation

| image = 1959 Edsel Corsair 2-door hardtop.jpg

| model_years = 1959

| assembly = Louisville, Kentucky USA
Oakville, Ontario, Canada

| wheelbase = {{convert|120.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1959_Edsel/1959_Edsel_Prestige_Brochure/1959%20Edsel%20Prestige-21-22.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1959_Edsel/1959_Edsel_Prestige_Brochure |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}}

| length = {{convert|210.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|79.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|56.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
Convertible: {{convert|56.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| body_style = 2-door convertible
2-door coupe
2-door hardtop
4-door hardtop
4-door sedan

| engine = {{convert|332|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} FE V8

| transmission = 3-speed manual
2-speed automatic

| related = Edsel Ranger
Edsel Villager
Ford Galaxie
Ford Fairlane
Ford Custom
Ford Country Squire

| caption = 1959 Edsel Corsair 2-door hardtop

}}

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.

File:1959 Edsel Corsair (7609169424).jpg

The 1959 Edsel styling was significantly toned down, as was the vertical grille assembly, which now featured a fine bar pattern.{{cite book|last=Willson|first=Quentin|title=The Ultimate Classic Car Book|year=1995|publisher=DK Publishing, Inc.|isbn=0-7894-0159-2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ultimateclassicc00quen}} 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 {{convert|361|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} FE V8 was standard in sedans, with either a two- or four-barrel carburetorFlory, p.970. 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).Flory, pp.969 & 970. The heater, defroster, and radio remained optional, as well.

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.Flory, p.972.

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|date=March 2020}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book | author = Bonsall, Thomas E. | title = Disaster in Dearborn: The Story of the Edsel| publisher = Stamford University Press| year = 2002 | isbn = 0-8047-4654-0}}
• {{cite book | author = Duetsch, Jan| title = The Edsel and Corporate Responsibility| publisher = Yale University Press| year = 1976 | isbn = 0-300-01950-5}}
• {{cite book | editor = Gunnell, John | title = The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 | publisher = Kraus Publications | year = 1987 | isbn = 0-87341-096-3}}
• {{cite book | author = Heasley, Jerry | title = The Production Figure Book For U.S. Cars|

publisher = Motorbooks International | year = 1977 | isbn = 0-87938-042-X}}

• {{cite book | author = Triplett, Ty | title = The Edsel Owner's Handbook, Second revision|

publisher = International Edsel Club | year = 1990 | id = n/a}}

• Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008.

• [http://www.edsel.com Edsel.com] History, specifications, resources for owners.
• [http://www.edsel.net Smith Motor Company] Virtual Edsel Dealer
• [http://www.internationaledsel.com/ The International Edsel Club]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070830151750/http://www.edsel.us/ Edsel.US] Restorer's discussion group

{{Edsel}}

{{Edsel Timeline}}

Corsair

Category:Coupés

Category:Sedans

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

Category:Cars introduced in 1958

Category:Cars discontinued in 1959