Edsel Pacer

The Edsel Pacer is an automobile that was produced and sold by Edsel in 1958. The Pacer was based on the shorter narrower Edsel platform, shared with Ford and the Ranger.[2]

Edsel Pacer
Overview
ManufacturerEdsel (Ford)
Model years1958
AssemblyEdison, New Jersey
Wayne, Michigan
Atlanta, Georgia
San Jose, California
Oakville, Ontario
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size
Body style2-door convertible
2-door hardtop
4-door hardtop
4-door sedan
RelatedEdsel Ranger
Edsel Bermuda
Edsel Villager
Edsel Roundup
Ford Fairlane
Ford Custom
Ford Country Squire
Powertrain
Engine361 cu in (5.9 L) FE V8
Transmission3-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase118.0 in (2,997 mm)
Width78.8 in (2,002 mm)[1]
Curb weight4,000–4,500 lb (1,814–2,041 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorFord Fairlane
SuccessorFord Galaxie

Pacer is one of two Edsel model names reused by manufacturers other than Ford, as was Citation. The Corsair, a 1958-only Edsel model, used a name previously applied to the Henry J by the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation.

The Pacer represented a step up from the basic Ranger model. In addition to the Ranger's base trim appoints, the Pacer received contoured seat backs, nylon upholstery cloth, color-keyed rubber floor mats, and extra stainless steel exterior and interior trim pieces and window moldings. A basic heater (as a US$92 option) and radio (at $95) were available, and air conditioning was optional, as well[3] (at $417).[4] A tachometer was optional.[5]

All Pacers rode on Ford's 118 in (2997 mm) wheelbase[4] and shared the Ranger’s engine choices, with a 303 hp (226 kW) 361 cu in (5.9 L) FE V8 (with four-barrel carburetor)[6] as standard. (The 345 hp (257 kW) 410 cu in (6.7 L) MEL V8, standard in the Corsair and Citation, was not available.)[4] A three-speed manual transmission was also standard. Buyers also could upgrade to a three-speed automatic transmission with a standard column-mounted gear selector, or choose Edsel’s highly promoted but trouble-prone Teletouch automatic, which placed its drive-selection buttons in the steering wheel hub, as a US$231 option.[4]

While their roll-out was highly publicized in the fall of 1957, Edsels were a marketing disaster for Ford and for Ford's corporate strategy for meeting General Motors product line for product line. Total Pacer output in U.S. and Canada for the model stood at 20,988 units, of which 1,876 were U.S.-built convertibles, 7,141 four-door sedans (6,083 U.S./1,058 Canada), 6,717 hardtop coupes (6,139 U.S./578 Canada), and 5,254 four-door hardtops (4,959 U.S./295 Canada). Prices for the Pacer ranged from $2,700 to $2,993. Despite being among the best-selling 1958 Edsel models, the Pacer was discontinued at the end of the 1958 model year. The premium Citation model was also dropped, as was the trouble-prone Teletouch system.

Production figures
Production Figures for Edsel Pacer
Body Style Units
2-Door Convertible1,876
2-Door Hardtop6,717
4-Door Hardtop5,254
4-Door Sedan7,141
Total 20,988
  • 1958 "horse collar" grille
  • 1958 Edsel Pacer
  • 1958 Edsel Pacer rear quarter
  • 1958 Edsel Pacer rear
  • 1958 Edsel Pacer / Ford Fairlane retractable (This is an Edsel Pacer that was custom-modified with a retractable Ford top.)

Different platforms

The model year of Edsel's introduction was a post-WW II high point of sorts for the Ford Motor Company. Three full-size platforms of distinctly different interior widths were in use each by Lincoln, Mercury, and Ford, a situation that lasted until Ford received a much wider platform in 1960. Edsel shared both Mercury's and Ford's platform in 1958, so offers an insight into their differing interior dimensions.

1958 Comparison[7] Edsel Citation/Corsair Edsel Pacer/Ranger
Wheelbase124.0 in (3,150 mm)118.0 in (2,997 mm)
Overall length218.9 in (5,560 mm)213.2 in (5,415 mm)
Width79.8 in (2,027 mm)78.8 in (2,002 mm)
Height56.8 in (1,443 mm)56.2 in (1,427 mm)
Front head room33.9 in (861 mm)33.2 in (843 mm)
Front leg room44.2 in (1,123 mm)43.1 in (1,095 mm)
Front hip room63.5 in (1,613 mm)60.0 in (1,524 mm)
Front shoulder room59.7 in (1,516 mm)57.3 in (1,455 mm)
Rear head room32.8 in (833 mm)33.6 in (853 mm)
Rear leg room–ins.43.4 in (1,102 mm)40.7 in (1,034 mm)
Rear hip room63.5 in (1,613 mm)60.1 in (1,527 mm)
Rear shoulder room59.7 in (1,516 mm)57.0 in (1,448 mm)
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References
  • Bonsall, Thomas E. (2002). Disaster in Dearborn: The Story of the Edsel. Stamford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-4654-0.
  • Duetsch, Jan (1976). The Edsel and Corporate Responsibility. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-01950-5.
  • Heasley, Jerry (1977). The Production Figure Book For U.S. Cars. Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-87938-042-X.
  • Triplett, Ty (1990). The Edsel Owner's Handbook, Second revision. International Edsel Club. n/a.
  • Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008.
  • Ford Motor Company (1957). Edsel Data, 1958 Official Reference Manual for Edsel Salesmen. Ford Motor Company.
Notes
  1. "Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Sell-O-Graph". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
  2. Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), p.888.
  3. "Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Features". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
  4. Ford Motor Company, p.F8.
  5. "Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Foldout". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
  6. Ford Motor Company, Edsel Data, 1958 Official Reference Manual for Edsel Salesmen, p.F-8
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