Vehicle Description
1958 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. An inaugural year model of the Corsair came with some
teething issues, most of these have been rectified on this car and
boy oh boy does it have plenty of interior room. Check out this 1
of 6,355 built rare bird!
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Exterior
Not perfect, but certainly solid as Silver Gray Metallic and Frost
White bathes this long and mighty car, with fairly straight steel
panels, and decently minded gaps. A sweeping trim spear runs the
front 2/3rd length of the car at the beltline and makes an artistic
dip at mid rear door before opening up to encase the Frost White
beltline insert 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 gray metal roof. The rear of the car sports cat eye
style 3 lens tail lights on the ends of the small bat-style fins.
All badging and brite-work is correct and attached and in pitted
but usable condition throughout. 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 quarter panel. Standard issue
wheel covers are on and decent 15-inch tires are seen all
around.
Interior
Speaking of 50s styling, it continues in earnest with the interior
and a swing of the doors. Here on the doors we see some two-tone
red and gray vinyl on the stitched and embroidered panels along
with shiny chrome for the sills, power window toggles, andchrome
actuators. The inside seating reveals a tattered and faded, but
complete split back bench with gray vinyl bolsters and faded red
knitted vinyl for the inserts. A soiled ivory headliner hangs above
and below is heavily soiled black rubber matting covering the
floors. The original red steel dash is showing in good condition
with lightly tarnished chrome, along with pulls, dials and bakelite
buttons for the heater slides and radio pushbuttons. A worn and
cracked black padded topper is up high on the dash and down low and
center is an addedchrome AC controller. 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 the teletouch shifter has been removed and a
simple column shifter has taken its place. We note some heavy
surface rust, bordering on invasive, coating the bottoms of the 4
doors.
Drivetrain
Under the snappy front hinged hood is an unrestored 410ci V8 that
has a single 4-barrel carburetor on top under the expansive air
cleaner assembly. A Ford-O-Matic 3-speed automatic is the column
version previously mentioned. On the back is a Ford 9-inch 2.91
rear axle.
Undercarriage
Underneath looks quite good with some surface rust, a solid frame,
as well as floor pans. Some rot on the inner rockers can be noted
throughout the sides where they greet the frame. This car sports
power drum braking all around as well as independent coil sprung
front suspension and rear leaf springs. We note an electric fuel
pump has been added to ensure reliable fuel delivery
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!
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
X8SX703323
X-410ci V8 4bbl 345hp
8-1958
S-Sommerville, MA Assy Plant
X-Corsair 4 Door Hardtop
703323-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
STYLE 57A-Corsair 4 Door Hardtop
COLOR BBE-Silver Gray Metallic, Frost White
TRIM X-Gray Vinyl Bolsters, Red Cloth Inserts
DATE 15H-August 15th Build
TRANS 4-Pushbutton Automatic
AXLE 1-2.91 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
