By Robert Emslie
You know, from some angles, the Edsel was really cool looking.
Image source: [mesabi via Flickr]
Latest
Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Project Cars, DIY, Travel, Adventure, Podcast, Videos
Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Project Cars, DIY, Travel, Adventure, Podcast, Videos
You know, from some angles, the Edsel was really cool looking.
Image source: [mesabi via Flickr]
Jeff Glucker
I used to like to drive past Noel Blanc's (son of Mel Blanc, the voice of all the Loony Tunes cartoons) house in Beverly Hills, right on a busy corner between Sunset and Santa Monica. There in the front driveway, a black and yellow Edsel was always parked. It never seemed to move.
Why? I once saw an interview with him where he said his father used to joke that "If you park an Edsel in your driveway, you'll never get burgarized. A burglar will feel sorry for anyone who owns an Edsel and won't break in."
He moved somewhere else several years ago, but I love to drive people by that house to this day and tell them the story.
Fun Fact. The Comet was suppose to be an Edsel model, and the tail lamp lenses were the same ones used here.
Another fun fact – Edsel originally planned 1959 Mercury-based upper-series cars just like in 1958. Here's a picture of the proposed 1959 Edsel Citation and a 1959 Mercury for comparison.
<img src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/1950s-and-1960s-edsel-concept-cars-3.jpg" width="400/">
<img src="http://www.mercuryarchive.com/1957to1960/1959MercuryParkLane-cover.jpg" width="400/">
I always liked the early comet's quirky looks and I knew it was supposed to be an Edsel but I never made the connection.
<img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/nitroracer/Other%20Images/Comet1961Patina.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/nitroracer/Other%20Images/Comet1961Red2.jpg" width="600">
Yes, and the changes to de-Edselize the Comet were minimal. The grille and hood were reworked to eliminate the mandatory Edsel central styling element, the fender ornaments were changed to have a "C" in the middle instead of "E", and the letters "C O M E T" appear above the rear bumper where surely "E D S E L" had been planned. Photos exist of styling mockups of the Edsel front end, so someone with some metalworking skills could fabricate the necessary pieces. Grab some emblems off '59 and '60 Edsel parts cars and you've got an Edsel Comet. If you're in a state with a lenient DMV, take the VIN plate off the '60 junker and see if you can title it as an Edsel too.
Here's a picture of the Edsel Comet front end. Looks rather Pontiac-like, doesn't it?
<img src="http://www.edsel.net/museum/60edsel3.jpg" width=500>
The 1960 Comet taillights are not identical with the Edsel. They're slightly longer (11" vs. 9") and have more rounded sides.
True, but the first year's Comet taillights had Edsel part numbers, and even had "Edsel", or at least "E" on the markings of the lenses.
The '60 model Edsels were as weird as any other, in their own way. Very rare, too.
What on earth would Ford have done if Edsel hadn't folded? They would have ended up with Ford – Mercury – Edsel – Lincoln as their divisonal structure. What would have Edsel dealers sold in 1970, 80 or 90?
Hah! found this-
<img src="http://edsel.net/edsel2001.JPG">
The Edsel SUV:
<img src="http://www.car-list.com/newcars/2007/image/2007_subaru_tribeca_front.jpg">
You know what, I like Edsel's from every angle. So what?!
I also, but I am kind of homer when it comes to the Edsel. I love them to death.