Why did Ford kill the Edsel so quickly ?

less · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 08:21 PM

I've never been a big fan of the Edsel..think it was the horse collar grille. But I don't know why it didn't sell. I have thought that perhaps it was due to the fact that Ford already had an upper mid range car...the Mercury which did quite well.

I would of thought Ford would of let the Edsel line last for more than the 3 + years or so, before they pulled the plug.

It had good mechanicals..Ford and Mercury...it was backed by the FoMoCo.

Anyone know why Ford didn't let it establish itself for a bit longer...to attempt to gain some market foothold ?

It must of cost Ford a bundle to cut the Edsel.

Ford_Six · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 10:28 PM

It was butt ugly, the styling was not in keeping with the times. It's like if someone introduced a car with 59 Cadillac style fins.

less · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_Six

It was butt ugly, the styling was not in keeping with the times. It's like if someone introduced a car with 59 Cadillac style fins.

Well it wasn't great looking, but check out the other cars from the late '50's...there were lot's that were ugggglly to the bone and they made it.

I think it was something beyond ugly...but I can't put my finger on it...just yet.

Actually the '59 Cadillac and fins were to my eye's quite beautiful, especially on the convertible and the bubble coupe.

One of the best looking cars...a little past the '50's was the '61 4 door sedan, Lincoln Continental. Especially black exterior, black interior.

That was beautiful by any standard.

But I'm wandering off topic.

85e150six4mtod · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 01:52 AM

There were some quality issues, perhaps overblown. It didn't sell. If a model doesn't sell, that's one thing. The whole line? Ax time.

ford2go · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 02:03 AM

The styling was OK for the times, but it had serious reliability issues. One of the first noted was the push button tranny -- mounted in the center of the steering wheel. Customers stayed away in droves as word spread about its problems.

It became a big embarassment, and Ford had no choice -- they had to kill it.

Strangely enough, there was an article in Popular Science the year before it was introduced. It was a discussion of cars and social classes. A Ford rep was quoted regarding the Edsel. He said that it was designed to appeal to those on there way up -- possibly those who thought that Lincolns were for the old folks.

LMS Residential · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 06:11 AM

I don't think the name helped much...Edsel. Good name for a puppy maybe.

wiseguy · #7 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 06:43 AM

There was also a 1959 recession that didn't help. Also, the Edsel division(first big mistake) was stealing sales from Ford and Mercury, not what you want when you're trying to increase your market share.

ford2go · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

I don't think the name helped much...Edsel. Good name for a puppy maybe

Ummmm ..... Edsel Ford --- Henry's kid

LMS Residential · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford2go

Ummmm ..... Edsel Ford --- Henry's kid

My sincere apologies to Henry and the clan.

wiseguy · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 06:43 AM

Edsel Ruddiman was the name of Henry's best friend when he was growing up. So Henry II decided to use it.

jimdandy · #11 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by less

I've never been a big fan of the Edsel..think it was the horse collar grille.

Well, some thought it should be renamed the "Ethel" because of the shape of the grille.

jd

Ford_Six · #12 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 02:41 PM

Along those lines, it's very odd that most people I have seen who loved those cars were flamboyantly gay guys.

1ATony · #13 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 03:56 PM

Those car did have some styling issues,Jay Leno said the front end looks like a urinal....lol

To see one now is pretty cool though,because you just them very often.

19704X4F250 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 04:13 PM

I am far from gay but I would drive a 1960 Edsel if I had one. I think Ford killed the Edsel too soon. The 1960 model may have turned its lax sales around. A couple of sites to look at.....edsel.com
Edsel Ranger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1ATony · #15 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19704X4F250

I am far from gay but I would drive a 1960 Edsel if I had one. I think Ford killed the Edsel too soon. The 1960 model may have turned its lax sales around. A couple of sites to look at.....edsel.com
Edsel Ranger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's a cool site. Thats wagon that some guy made is pretty cool.