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Topic starter
12/02/2022 10:13 am
While Chrysler was refining their "Forward Look" designs and GM was offering lower more graceful designs, Ford, for 1958 gave us some real brash, in-your- face styling with the often maligned Fords, spiky looking Lincolns, square birds and the godawful looking Edsel. With its horse collar grill and boomerang tail lights. there was immediate shocked reactions that turned to snickers. This top-of- line tri-color "Bermuda" station wagon, despite all of its innovations looked like a carnival poster on wheels. Once you got past the looks, it was a great family car powered by an E400, 303hp, 361 cid V8 with a very friendly , Edsel only, 'Teletouch' push button 3 speed automatic transmission. The dash included their floating, flying saucer-like speedometer, a compass and electric clock.
This Bermuda is finished in Ember Red and Frost White and the vinyl upholstery and door cards have period pop-art designs and ribbed panels to carry over the faux wood patterns that sort of look like bamboo or lathing that you would plaster over if it was on your ceiling. Usually when you trim your top-of-the-line model, you try to inject the aura of quiet luxury whereas with this model, they doubled down on 'bold' and 'brash'.
All and all, this decades old FM model was pretty nicely done and still holds up well replicating this iconic FoMoCo failure.
12/02/2022 10:22 am
Thank you for these great pics. This wagon is very well done IMHO, as are the 1:43 Minichamps in red, coral or dark green. I have them in my collection.
I like the 58 Edsel much more now than back in the day. It makes a strong statement and represents an exciting era in American automotive history. My favorite year is the 59.
Tony Perrone and Tony Perrone reacted
12/02/2022 1:34 pm
I agree with Jack that the 58 Edsel is much more to my liking today than when it was new. Have both the red and blue models.
12/02/2022 3:26 pm
Waiting for this car and model to grow on me, but as time passes, I doubt it will ever make it to my collection.
Rich Sufficool and Rich Sufficool reacted
12/02/2022 5:37 pm
I have this model (and the turquoise one as well). Absolutely fantastic photos Rich, of what is in in my opinion, one of most classic car designs of the '50's decade. I was 7 years old when I saw the brand new '58 EDSEL on the showroom floor of Peterson Motors on Concord Street in West St. Paul, MN. I was enamored with that "Olds sucking a lemon grille" and in my young life I thought it was the most unique looking car I'd ever seen. It remains so to this very day.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Jack Dodds and Jack Dodds reacted
12/02/2022 5:39 pm
Thank you for these great pics. This wagon is very well done IMHO, as are the 1:43 Minichamps in red, coral or dark green. I have them in my collection.
I like the 58 Edsel much more now than back in the day. It makes a strong statement and represents an exciting era in American automotive history. My favorite year is the 59.
Interesting, as the '59 is my least favorite Edsel.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Jack Dodds and Jack Dodds reacted