Edsel Pacer

Infobox Automobile


boxcolor = darkgreen
name = Edsel Pacer
manufacturer = Ford Motor Company
production = 1958
class = Full-size
successor = Edsel Corsair
body_style = 2-door convertible
2-door hardtop
4-door hardtop
4-door sedan
engine = 410 in³ V8
transmission = 3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
weight = Auto lb|3773|0-Auto lb|4311|0
wheelbase = Auto in|118|0

The Edsel Pacer is an automobile produced by the former Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln Division (M-E-L) of the Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan and sold through its Edsel marque in 1958. The Pacer was built off the shorter Edsel wheelbase, shared with the Ford Fairlane, as was the Edsel Ranger.

Pacer is one of two Edsel model names reused by manufacturers other than Ford, as was Citation. The Corsair, a 1958-only Edsel model, used a name previously applied to the Henry J by the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation.

The Pacer represented a step up from the basic Ranger model. In addition to the Ranger's base trim appoints, the Pacer received contoured seat backs, nylon upholstery cloth, color-keyed rubber floor mats, and extra stainless steel exterior and interior trim pieces and window moldings. A basic heater was available and air conditioning was optional as well.

All Pacers rode on Ford's 118 in wheelbase and shared the Ranger’s engine choices, with a 361 in³ V8 as standard. A three-speed manual transmission was also standard. Buyers also could upgrade to a three-speed automatic transmission with a standard column-mounted gear selector, or could choose Edsel’s highly promoted but trouble-prone Teletouch automatic, which placed its drive-selection buttons in the steering wheel hub.

While its roll-out was highly publicized in the fall of 1957, the 1958 Edsel was a marketing disaster for Ford and for Ford's corporate strategy for meeting General Motors product line for product line. Total Pacer output in U.S. and Canada for the model stood at 20,988 units, of which 1,876 were U.S.-built convertibles, 7,141 four-door sedans (6,083 U.S./1,058 Canada), 6,717 hardtop coupes (6,139 U.S./578 Canada), and 5,254 four-door hardtops (4,959 U.S./295 Canada). Prices for the Pacer ranged from US$2,700 to $2,993. Despite being among the best selling 1958 Edsel models, the Pacer was discontinued at the end of the 1958 model year. The premium Citation model was also dropped, as was the trouble prone Teletouch system.

Edsel Pacer 1958 Gallery

References

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* cite book | author = Triplett, Ty | title = The Edsel Owner's Handbook, Second revision
publisher = International Edsel Club | year = 1990 | id = n/a

External links

* [http://www.edsel.com Edsel.com] History, specifications, resources for owners.
* [http://www.edsel.net Smith Motor Company] Virtual Edsel Dealer
* [http://www.internationaledsel.com/ The International Edsel Club]
* [http://www.failuremag.com/arch_history_edsel.html "Auto Biography"] — Failure Magazine examines the history of the Edsel (March, 2002)
* [http://www.edsel.us Edsel.US] Restorer's discussion group