Edsel Corsair
| Edsel Corsair | |
|---|---|
| Production period: | 1958-1959 |
| Class : | upper middle class |
| Body versions : | Sedan , coupe , convertible |
| Successor: | Mercury Meteor |
The Edsel Corsair was an upper middle class passenger car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn (Michigan) under the brand name Edsel in the model years 1958 and 1959. The name Corsair (German: Korsar ) was also originally intended for the small car from Kaiser-Frazer , then called Henry J.
1958
| 1st generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production period: | 1958 |
| Body versions : | Limousine , coupe |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 6.7 liters (254 kW) |
| Length: | 5558 mm |
| Width: | 2027 mm |
| Height: | 1443 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 3150 mm |
| Empty weight : | 1875 kg |
The Corsair represented the second highest equipment variant in the Edsel model range. In addition to the luxurious interior, the Corsair had decorative strips in stainless steel and elegant hubcaps. The car was built on the long-wheelbase (3,150 mm) chassis taken over from Mercury . Like the Citation , the car, available as a 2- or 4-door hardtop model, shared the roof line and the inner body panels with the Mercury models. The body panels of the Corsair or Citation are not interchangeable with the other two sedan models from Edsel, Ranger and Pacer , as these vehicles are based on chassis from basic Ford models.
Like the Citation, the Corsair is powered by a V8 engine with a displacement of 6675 cc and an output of 345 bhp (257 kW). It also has Edsel's 3-stage Teletouch automatic. Unlike other models from the Ford Group, which had the selector lever on the steering column, the Teletouch had selector buttons in the steering wheel hub, where the horn was located on other cars. In an emergency, the automatic transmission could be operated incorrectly and damaged if the driver pressed the buttons in the steering wheel hub instead of the horn ring.
The Corsair was also a marketing flop, like its sister models. In 1958, 9,987 copies were made, just a little more than the Citation. 3,632 hardtop coupés (3,312 from US production, 320 from Canada ) contrasted with 6,355 hardtop sedans (5,880 from US production, 475 from Canada). Selling prices ranged from $ 3,311 to $ 3,390.
1959
| 2nd generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Production period: | 1959 |
| Body versions : | Sedan , coupe , convertible |
| Engines: |
Otto engine : 5.4 liters (165 kW) |
| Length: | 5357 mm |
| Width: | 2027 mm |
| Height: | 1427-1440 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 3048 mm |
| Empty weight : | 1674-1717 kg |
The 1959 models were introduced in the fall of 1958. However, the Citation and Pacer models were abandoned, as was the failure-prone Teletouch automatic.
The styling of the Edsel was much less noticeable this year, especially the vertical grille, which now had a delicate pattern. The Corsair now represented the more luxurious variant in the Edsel model range after the Citation was discontinued. In contrast to 1958, the Corsair now shared the chassis and body with the Ranger and only differed from it in terms of better equipment. There were also two new body styles: a 4-door sedan and a 2-door convertible.
This year, the Corsair had only 3048 mm wheelbase and was standard with the Ford V8 engine 5441 cc, the 225 bhp (165 kW) at 4400 min -1 gave. There was also a manual three-speed gearbox or a two-stage Mile-O-Matic .
After 9,319 units in 1959, the Corsair was discontinued. That was 2,468 hardtop coupes (2,315 from the USA, 153 from Canada), 1,812 hardtop sedans (1,649 from the USA, 118 from Canada), 1,343 convertibles (all from the USA) and 3,695 4-door sedans (3,301 from the USA, 394 from Canada). Prices ranged between US $ 2,812 and US $ 3,072.
Web links
- Edsel.com history, specifications and parts lists for owners
- Smith Motor Company (Edsel Virtual Dealer)
- The International Edsel Club (English)
- "Auto Biography" - Failure Magazine examines the history of the Edsel , (March 2002)
- Discussion forum of Edsel restorers in the USA (English)
swell
- Thomas E. Bonsall: Disaster in Dearborn: The Story of the Edsel. Stamford University Press, 2002, ISBN 0-8047-4654-0 .
- Jan Duetsch: The Edsel and Corporate Responsibility. Yale University, 1976, ISBN 0-300-01950-5 .
- John Gunnell (Ed.): The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Krause Publications, Iola 1987, ISBN 0-87341-096-3 .
- Jerry Heasley: The Production Figure Book For US Cars. Motorbooks International, 1977, ISBN 0-87938-042-X .
- Ty Triplett: The Edsel Owner's Handbook. 2nd Edition. International Edsel Club, 1990.