Weekend Edition – An Edsel turned Art Car Construction Shovel, and it's for sale…

Let’s continue with the Hooniverse Weekend Edition with this very odd vehicle currently being offered on eBay. This is a 1958 Edsel Pacer 4-Door Hardtop that has been made into a Caterpillar Construction Shovel of some sort, used as a Parade Car (or Art Car if you prefer), and now the owner is letting it go. So, what do you think of this rolling art?

When you think of Art Cars, what generally comes to mind? I think of these rolling pieces of questionable taste as part of the same counter culture that produces tie-dyed t-shirts, pot brownies, and free love parties. The people who create these “Art Cars” tend to be “Free Spirits” themselves, and they see the car as a way of expressing themselves. Well, it seems that the “Art Car” movement has now been adopted by regular people who are politically conservative as a way of expressing their views, with this particular Edsel as a shining example.

According to the listing:

This car was rescued from the crusher in the year 2003 with 30k plus miles on the odometer. It had been sitting idle since 1961. This car now operates solely as a parade and display vehicle and is not street legal in its present form. The car has been a regular entry in the Houston Art Car Parade presented by The Orange Show [the largest Art Car parade in the world] and won several trophies. It has also participated in numerous other parades including the prestigious Dallas Children’s Medical Center Christmas Parade (by invitation only) and the HEB Thanksgiving Day Parade. It has also been on television all across the United States and in car publications as far away as Germany. It consistently ranks as one of the most popular entrants in every event it is entered.

Presently the car has a 351 engine from a 1979 Thunderbird with unknown mileage. The transmission is a 3 speed automatic,converted to a floor shift. The car has two 100 amp alternators and two optima red top batteries. One battery under the hood starts the car and the other is located on the front passenger floor board to power the accessories. The car is powered by a professionally installed propane system similar to that found on a forklift. The Fuel tank resides in the trunk cavity. The car has an aluminum radiator with two electric fans. Original wiring is still on the car but most of the added items were done with new wiring that augments the original wiring. The front bumpers have been re-chromed and look great, also the brake lines and wheel cylinders have been replaced.

The addition of the front end loader, backhoe, and running boards were accomplished by welding steel and trailer hitch receivers on the frame of the car, thus these items are essentially plug and play. The Front end loader is made of aluminum, wood and sheet metal. It is static and does not move. The backhoe is made of wood and sheet metal. Tires are matching 15” truck tires with good tread. Windows are stiff but do roll up and down except for the passenger front window which goes up and down without the crank.

The car has roof and trunk mounted yellow caution light bars. The trunk mounted seat, OEM stickers and back up alarm are authentic Caterpillar items. The backhoe controls are for looks only and do not function. Headlights wig wag and the turn signals flash in unison. The car has a stock type horn. Lights are operated by a control panel mounted at the glove box location.

Included is a mannequin named Barry with a nice suit, tie and Obama mask (no teleprompter). Also, an extra propane fuel tank. The motor runs great and sounds cool. The exhaust is similar to a tractor. I have not driven the car faster than 20 miles an hour or used the third gear. Recently serviced with new belts, oil change (Mobil one filter) and rocker arm gaskets. This machine is ready to be seen by the masses and could help decide the next election…All the hard work has been done.

The car shows well and is stored indoors at all times. Buyer should understand that the car requires towing to and from its parade destination and assembly. Assembly is accomplished easily by three people in about 30 minutes or less. Vehicle is sold as is where is with no warranties or guarantees written or implied. We will help coordinate delivery and instruct the new owner with set up. Delivery costs are the buyer’s responsibility.

It looks like this is a no reserve auction, and the current bid as of this morning is $1,302. What do you think the final bid will bring? See the listing, [sc:ebay itemid=”261242349192″ linktext=”1958 Edsel Pacer Parade Car” ] and tell me what you think of this particular “Art Car”.