Vehicle Description
1959 Edsel Corsair 4 Door Hardtop
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 Ford Edsel before
anyone even saw the automobile.
For consignment, the car that has become synonymous with the word
failure. Hold on though! Due to the fact it was so unpopular, and
most people hated it, not too many were sold so there are not many
around. This second year model of the Corsair corrected some of the
teething issues found in the 1st model year and had plenty of
interior room. Check out this rare bird!
Please Note: NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY*
Exterior
Not perfect but certainly solid as Mist Green and White bathes this
long and mighty car, with fairly straight steel panels, and
decently minded gaps. A white spear trimline runs the length of the
car at the beltline and makes an artistic dip at mid rear door
before melting back to a thin spear at the tail of the car. With
the dual headlights flanking the horizontal grille ends, and the
iconic vertical center known as the "toilet seat" or "vulva"
grille, it was either loved or hated. This one presents in good
condition with minor pitting and cloudiness of the chrome, as does
the grille, and bumpers. A wrap-around windscreen fronts a massive
chrome-trimmed greenhouse topped by the white metal roof. The rear
of the car sports cat eye style 3 lens tail lights and a swooping
Edsel badged spear across the trunk lid. All badging and brite-work
is correct and attached and in good condition throughout, as over
embellishment abounds, right down to the complex design and the
chromed side view mirrors. Some rust bubbling is noted on the lower
panels with the worst area being the lower section of the
passenger's rear door. Tri-point emblazoned wheel covers are on and
like new 14" tires are seen all around.
Interior
Speaking of 50s styling, it continues in earnest with the interior
and a swing of the doors. Here we see town tone green with a light
green on the stitched and embroidered vinyl top and a darker green
reception cloth panel below in which has been stripped of its
armrest and chrome actuators. The inside seating reveals some
tattered and torn but complete split back benches with lighter
green vinyl bolsters and green tweed broadcloth just a bit darker
for the inserts. A soiled light green headliner hangs above and
below is just painted steel flooring. I feel like this car may have
an identity crisis with all the shades of green seen on all the
different surfaces. The original green dash is showing in good
condition with lightly tarnished chrome, along with pulls, dials
and bakelite buttons for the heater slides and radio pushbuttons.
We have to give an A for effort though as it is futuristic with its
highlight being chrome and LOTS OF IT! The original steering wheel
is present and accounted for but gone this year is the teletouch
shifter, a simple column shifter has taken its place.
Drivetrain
Under the revised for '58 rear hinged hood is an unrestored 332ci
V8 that has a single Holley 4-barrel carburetor on top. A
Mile-O-Matic 2-speed automatic is the column version previously
mentioned. On the back is a Ford 9-inch 2.91 rear axle.
Undercarriage
Underneath looking quite good with some surface rust, a solid frame
as well as floor pans. Some rot on the rockers can be noted
throughout the sides where they greet the frame. This car sports
drum braking all around as well as independent front suspension and
rear leaf springs. We note the fuel tank has been removed and the
engine now is fed from a jug in the trunk.
Drive-Ability
After checking the vitals and a fresh battery the engine did crank
over but did not fire off. Some TLC is in order.
I'd say quite the project to fill your hands with, but in the end,
you will own a rare example, and be able to tool around looking
like the quintessential 50's suburban family styling. Boop Boop Be
Doop!
VIN DECODE
B9UX714304
B-332ci V8
9-1959
U-Louisville, KY Assy Plant
X-Corsair
714304-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 57B-Corsair 4 Door Hardtop
COLOR SR1-Jadeglint Green, Mist Green, White
TRIM 53-Light Green Vinyl, Dark Green Reception Cloth
DATE 16M-December 16th 1958 Build
TRANS 3-Mile-O-Matic 2 Speed Automatic
AXLE 5-2.91
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
