Edsel Ranger

Edsel Ranger
Production period:	1958-1960
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	Sedan , coupe , convertible

The Edsel Ranger was an upper middle class car that Ford manufactured in Dearborn (Michigan) under the brand name Edsel between the model years 1958 and 1960. The Rangers were built on the shorter Edsel chassis that it shared with its sister model Pacer and the Ford Fairlane .

The Ranger was the simplest version of the Edsel in the first two years of production. In those years, a convertible was not one of the body variants, but it was in the last year of production in 1960.

Ranger is one of the two Edsel model names that were later used by Ford for other models; the other is the villager .

1958

1st generation

Production period:	1958
Body versions :	Limousine , coupe
Engines:	Otto engine : 5.9 liters (223 kW)
Length:	5413 mm
Width:	2000 mm
Height:	1430 mm
Wheelbase :	2998 mm
Empty weight :	1687-1724 kg

Edsel Ranger sedan 4 doors (1958)

The basic equipment of the ranger included armrests, cigarette lighter, inside mirror, two coat hooks and black rubber floor mats. On the outside, the Ranger had chrome trim around the inserts on the rear fenders. Two-tone paintwork was available on request. The main difference between the Ranger and the better equipped Pacer was the lack of stainless steel trim on the front doors and fenders. At the beginning there was also a very rare equipment with special stainless steel trim on the front doors only for the Ranger, which was offered together with the stainless steel trim for the fenders from the Pacer. The cars were equipped with interior heating; an air conditioning system could be supplied on request.

The Ranger had a Ford chassis with a 2997 mm wheelbase, a V8 engine with 5916 cc capacity, of 303 bhp (223 kW) at 4600 min ^-1 made. A manual three-speed gearbox was also part of the basic equipment, whereby buyers could also choose a three-stage automatic with selector lever on the steering column or the warmly touted, but fault- prone, Teletouch automatic with selector buttons in the steering wheel hub.

The Ranger was advertised intensively when it was launched in the fall of 1957, but it was a marketing flop like its sister models. In 1958, 21,301 copies were made. 4,615 two-door sedans (only from US production) and 7,414 four-door sedans (6,576 from the USA, 838 from Canada ) were 3,667 hardtop sedans (3,077 from the USA, 190 from Canada) and 6,005 hardtop coupés (5,546 from the USA and 459 from Canada) opposite. The sales prices ranged between US $ 2,484 and US $ 2,643.

1959

2nd generation

Production period:	1959
Body versions :	Limousine , coupe
Engines:	Petrol engines : 3.7-4.8 liters (107-147 kW)
Length:	5357 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :
Empty weight :	1606-1710 kg

Edsel Ranger hardtop coupe (1959)

In 1959, the Edsel model range was reorganized, with the bestseller Pacer and the top model Citation being eliminated, as was the malfunction- prone Teletouch automatic.

This year, the Ranger and the new top model Corsair shared a chassis with a 3048 mm wheelbase. The styling became a bit more conservative, as the middle radiator grille in the shape of a collar was replaced by a specimen in the shape of a coat of arms with many horizontal chrome bars. The four available body styles remained the same as last year, there was from a smaller V8 engine with 4785 cc and 200 bhp (147 kW) at 4400 min ^-1 . As "economy version" there was - only the Ranger - also a inline six-cylinder engine with 3654 cc engine, the 145 bhp (107 kW) at 4,000 min ^-1 gave.

That year 28,358 rangers were created. That was 7,778 sedans with 2 doors (all from the USA), 14,063 sedans with 4 doors (12,814 from the USA, 1,249 from Canada), 2,451 hardtop sedans (2,352 from the USA, 99 from Canada) and 5,966 hardtop coupes ( 5,474 from the USA, 492 from Canada). Prices ranged between US $ 2,629 and US $ 2,756. (The six-cylinder models were $ 84 cheaper each).

1960

3rd generation

Production period:	1960
Body versions :	Sedan , coupe , convertible
Engines:	Petrol engines : 3.7-4.8 liters (107-147 kW)
Length:	5486 mm
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase :
Empty weight :	1631-1738 kg

The 1960 model year Ranger, introduced on October 15, 1959, was the only 2- and 4-door model Edsel still offered. The only remaining station wagon, the Villager , was available with 6 or 9 seats. Not only the sedan model Corsair , which remained in 1959 , but also the vertical radiator grille element in the middle disappeared. The 1960s Edsel models shared so many sheet metal and equipment details with the Ford Sunliner that you could only tell the difference in the radiator grille, taillights and model names. The Ranger also inherited the convertible from the Corsair. The 4-door sedan and the two hardtop variants were each available in a standard and a deluxe version.

On November 19, 1959, Ford discontinued the Edsel brand and at the end of that month the last Edsel rolled off the assembly line. In this last short model year, 2,571 Rangers were built (all in the USA). There were 777 sedans with 2 doors, 1,288 sedans with 4 doors, 295 hardtop coupés, 135 hardtop sedans and finally - as the rarest version - 76 convertibles. Prices ranged from $ 2,643 to $ 3,000.

Because of the low production numbers in the three model years, all Edsel Rangers are sought after by collectors. The 1960s Ranger Cabriolet, however, is often converted from the corresponding Ford model because of its similarity as described above.

Converting a 1960 Ford Sunliner into a 1960 Edsel Ranger Cabriolet is easy. You only have to replace a few trim parts and convert the rear fenders, which is no problem if another Edsel model is available as a part carrier . Edsel collectors are generally cautious when 1960s Edsel are offered that have been "found" or are being offered at a price lower than the market price. But buyers and fans can check the chassis number, which must match an Edsel from November 1959.

Web links

Commons : Edsel Ranger - Collection of images, videos and audio files

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Bonsall, Thomas E .: Disaster in Dearborn: The Story of the Edsel , Stamford University Press (2002), ISBN 0-8047-4654-0 .
Duetsch, Jan: The Edsel and Corporate Responsibility , Yale University (1976), ISBN 0-300-01950-5 .
Gunnell, John (editor): The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 , Krause Publications, Iola (1987), ISBN 0-87341-096-3 .
Heasley, Jerry: The Production Figure Book For US Cars , Motorbooks International (1977), ISBN 0-87938-042-X .
Triplett, Ty: The Edsel Owner's Handbook , 2nd Edition, International Edsel Club (1990)