Vehicle Description
1959 Edsel Corsair 4 Door Sedan
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 54,122 title verified actual mileage
rare bird!
Exterior
Not perfect but certainly solid as Mist Green and Snow 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 almost no pitting and cloudiness of the chrome, as
does the grille, and bumpers. A wraparound 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
over top of the rear wheelhouses. Standard turbine style wheel
covers are on and like new 14-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 we see two tone green with a light
green on the stitched and embroidered vinyl top and a darker green
grid embossed vinyl panel below in which is dressed with some
chrome trimmings, a dark green arm rest and snappy chrome cranks
and actuators. The inside seating reveals clean and complete split
back benches with lighter green vinyl bolsters and beige reception
cloth for the inserts. A tight light green headliner hangs above
and below isfairly clean dark green low pile carpeting. 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 361ci
V8 that has a single 4-barrel carburetor on top. A Mile-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. An overall patina coats the chassis with its
black finish of the applied undercoating. This car sports drum
braking all around as well as independent front suspension and rear
leaf springs. A stock style single exhaust is in charge of the
exhale and is standing out against the black with its nearly new
silver finish glory.
Drive-Ability
The car fired up and off to the test track I went. It ran smoothly
and has some lumbering handling and braking needs to be planned
ahead of time. The reverse lights did not illuminate and the clock
is only correct twice a day, but all other functions are working as
they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these
functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot
guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your
purchase.
I'd say a perfectlyserviceable and drivable car that you can fill
your hands with and enjoy as is or take to the next level.
Whichever route you go 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!
W9US720111
W-361ci 4bbl V8
9-1959
U-Louisville, KY Assy Plant
S-Corsair 4 Door Sedan
720111-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 58B-Corsair 4 Door Sedan
COLOR RE1-Mist Green & Snow White
TRIM 53-Green Vinyl & Reception loth
DATE 16A-January 16th
TR 4-Ford O Matic
AXLE 5-Ford 9" 2.91 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
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