Vehicle Description
1959 Edsel Corsair Convertible
During his early childhood, Edsel and his father worked side by
side on cars. Later on, Edsel became more fascinated by the shapes
of automobiles than by their inner workings. As a teenager, he
built several speedsters, mostly T-based. Edsel was indulging in a
common pastime of the day, one shared by quite a few young men with
money, the difference being that Edsel had an unlimited supply of
parts. This love of styling and building cars would come in very
handy as time went on. As for the actual car, buyers didn't
purchase the Edsel, because it was a bad or ugly car. They didn't
buy it because it didn't live up to the expectations the company
created in the prior months with the epic advertising campaign. So
actually, the first failure occurred for the Edsel before anyone
even saw the automobile.
For consignment a top of the line for Edsel production the Corsair.
Styling is simpler and more tasteful and a column shifter replaced
the problematic Teletouch transmission in this model. This Petal
Yellow over chromed cruiser is definitely long and strong on the
cruise aspect, and sports the continental rear bumper making it
even longer. The quintessential late 1950's Detroit iron, all
looking ripe for the picking.
Exterior
Styling was king for these cars, and it was a known fact that the
more chrome you gave people the more they ate it up, so belly up to
the chrome table as there is much to feast your eyes upon. In front
the vertical horse collar central grille with the 50's stylized egg
crate grille flanking it on either side complete with dual dual
headlights on either side. A large split lower front bumper frames
the bottom of the grille and offers a soft-landing place for your
eye on the horse collar grille. The long hood and corresponding
fenders are all trimmed with chrome on all edges and it's all
looking shiny and holding their luster. On either side is a large
trim spear which widens as it moves rearward on the car and in back
resembles a paperclip shape with a stainless panel insert. All this
is attached to a background of Petal Yellow which in name, gives
odes to the pastel nature of the paint. Overall, it is an earlier
restoration and still retains its shine. However, there are plenty
of touch ups, a few cracks in the paint, and lighter toned fender
skirts. The white canvas convertible top has bird dropping stains
throughout, but a good detailing should eliminate these. On the
back of the twin antennae in swept back form sit on the edges of
the rear quarters and flank the large trunk lid. This lid has
somewhat of an eyebrow shape, and he front is topped with chrome
edging. The continental wide rear bumper is now on and is bathed in
body matching Petal Yellow, and lots of shiny chrome. Taillights
are thin arrowhead designs and have 3 round tail lights within the
arrow. A tri pointed star and turbine pattern wheel coverings can
be seen on all 4 corners, all wrapped in wide white bias ply
radials.
Interior
A swing of the big doors, and you will have a taste of things to
come with the door panels. These have an embossed square pattern
vinyl in light gray for an inset panel and a smooth black vinyl
surround. Chromed handles and levers are seen in this panel as well
as a vinyl covered smaller armrest and door pull. The seats retain
the same colorway with embossed square pattern inserts in silver
and black bolsters. Here we see a front split back bench, and full
rear bench. The intricately designed dash fronts these classic
seats, and shows futuristic design with a centrally located
speedometer, and oval clusters flanking on either side. Below the
speedo numbers is a fab starburst design all leading to the
odometer. A curved wrap apron central stainless steel trim piece is
running from side to side and houses the radio, numerous knobs,
pulls, and a clock. A two toned black and white plastic steering
wheel fronts this dash and is in excellent condition. Under the
dash is a large box with white round venting which would be the
dealership installed Polar-Aire air conditioner. Black carpeting
for the floors and on the dash top a model of the car which you
will be purchasing watches over the interior.
Drivetrain
Under the very nice hood, and restored engine bay is a 332ci V8
topped with a single 2-barrel carburetor. On the back is a
Mile-O-Matic 2-speed automatic transmission, now shiftable on the
tree instead of last year's pesky unreliable buttons. Way back for
the rear axle is a 9-inch 2.91 gear ratio rear axle. All surfaces
are very clean, and the engine is mostly satin black with some
satin silver accenting on the air cleaner cover and valve
covers.
Undercarriage
Underneath we are all clean and rust free with nicely painted black
steel X frame, floor pans, and finely tuned mechanicals like
independent coil springs for the front and leaf springs for the
back. Power drum brakes are on all 4 corners, and a fairly clean
dual exhaust is helping the 332 cubes exhale.
Drive-Ability
Being a sucker for these big late 50's pieces of Detroit iron I
hopped in and she fired right up. The power top went down in a
flash, and I was off to the test track where it performed just
beautifully. I noticed the horn is inoperable, but all else is
working just great.
The beneficiary of an early 2000's restoration, it is still holding
its own on the fit and finish. Mechanically very sound and just a
few faults within the exterior paint, but no rusting to concern
ourselves with. A convertible, continental kit, and otherwise
loaded vehicle for its time, we give you the famous Edsel.
VIN DECODE
B9UR707074
B-332ci V8 2bbl 225hp
9-1959
U-Louisville, KY Assy Plant
R-Corsair
707074-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 76E-Corsair Convertible
COLOR QQ-Petal Yellow
TRIM 42-Black, Silver, White Vinyl
DATE 12L-November 12th
TRANS 3-3 Speed Mile-O-Matic
AXLE 5-Ford 9" 2.91 Gears
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
