Edsel Ranger

Infobox Automobile


boxcolor = darkgreen
name = Edsel Ranger
manufacturer = Ford Motor Company
production = 1958-1960
class = Full-size
body_style = 2-door convertible
2-door coupe
2-door hardtop
4-door hardtop
4-door sedan
engine = 292 in³ V8
361 in³ V8
transmission = 3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
weight = Auto lb|3545|0-Auto lb|3836|0
wheelbase = Auto in|118|0 (1958)
Auto in|120|0 (1959-1960)The Edsel Ranger was an automobile produced by the former Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln Division of the Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan, and sold through its Edsel marque in 1958. Rangers were built off the shorter Edsel platform, shared with the Ford Fairlane as was the Pacer.

The Ranger was the base trim option for Edsel in its first and second years as an automotive marque. Rangers were available in two-door coupes, four-door sedans, and two and four-door hardtops. The model range did not offer a convertible in 1958 or 1959, but did offer the body style in 1960.

Ranger is one of two of Edsel's model nameplates re-used by Ford, Villager being the other.

1958

The Ranger's base trim appointments included arm rests, a cigarette lighter, rear-view mirror, two coat hangers and black rubber floor mats. On the exterior, Rangers received chrome around the rear quarter panel cove molding. Two-tone paint was also optional. The main visual cue that makes it possible to tell the difference between most Rangers and the upmarket Pacer was the lack of stainless trim on the front doors and fenders. A very rare, optional, Ranger-only door trim was available from dealers early in the model year to be used together with the Pacer fender trim. A basic heater was available and air conditioning was optional as well.

The Ranger rode on Ford's 118 in wheelbase and a 361 in³ V8 was standard, as was a three-speed manual transmission. Buyers 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 U.S. and Canada Ranger output for the model stood at an estimated 21,301 units. Of those units, 4,615 were U.S.-built two-door Sedans, 7,414 were four-door sedans (6,576 U.S./838 Canada), 6,005 were two-door hardtops (5,546 U.S./459 Canada), and 3,667 were four-door hardtops (3,077 U.S./190 Canada). Prices ranged from US$2,484 to $2,643.

Counterfeit Rangers

Because of the low production volumes in its three years, all Rangers are collectible; however, the 1960 Ranger convertible is frequently found as being counterfeit.

The process for converting a 1960 Ford Sunliner convertible into a 1960 Edsel model involves the simple swapping of trim parts and refashioning of the rear fenders, a simple task for those who have an Edsel parts car. Edsel enthusiasts are generally wary of 1960 Edsels that have been "found" or are offered at lower prices than the going rates. Buyers and enthusiasts can check the manufactures code to verify if the VIN matches Edsel production numbers for November 1959.

References

* cite book | author = Heasley, Jerry | title = The Production Figure Book For U.S. Cars
publisher = Motorbooks International | year = 1977 | id = ISBN 0-87938-042-X

* 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