Why did Ford kill the Edsel so quickly ?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Winnipeg
Why did Ford kill the Edsel so quickly ?
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.
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.
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Posting Guru
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From: Winnipeg
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.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Frequently frozen MN
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.
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.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Northern MD
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.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Frequently frozen MN
I don't think the name helped much...Edsel. Good name for a puppy maybe
Ummmm ..... Edsel Ford --- Henry's kid
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jd
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Butler, IN
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
Edsel Ranger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Westford, MA
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
Edsel Ranger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia