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Topic starter
15/11/2025 9:31 am
1954 Edwards America Convertible
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The 1954 Edwards America Convertible is a rare sports car designed by Sterling H. Edwards, featuring a fiberglass body and powered by an Oldsmobile "Rocket" V-8 engine. Only a few examples were built, making it a unique piece of automotive history.
rmsothebys.com
hymanltd.com
Overview of the 1954 Edwards America Convertible
The 1954 Edwards America Convertible is a rare classic car designed by Sterling H. Edwards. It represents a blend of American engineering and European design aesthetics, featuring a sleek, low profile and a fiberglass body.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | Oldsmobile "Rocket" V-8 |
| Horsepower | 185 bhp |
| Wheelbase | 100 inches |
| Overall Length | 179 inches |
| Weight | Approximately 2,800 pounds |
| Transmission | Lincoln Hydra-Matic |
| Production Numbers | Only five examples completed |
Design and Features
- The Edwards America Convertible is known for its stylish design, which includes a large eggcrate grille and elegant lines reminiscent of Italian sports cars.
- It was built on a modified Henry J chassis, which provided a sturdy foundation for the vehicle.
- The interior features high-quality leather upholstery and practical amenities, making it comfortable for both driver and passengers.
Production and Rarity
- Only five examples of the Edwards America were produced, making it a highly sought-after collector's item.
- The first of these models was completed in 1954, and it is believed that only three were finished as convertibles.
- The car has been showcased at prestigious events like the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, highlighting its significance in automotive history.
The 1954 Edwards America Convertible stands out as a unique piece of American automotive heritage, combining performance with luxury and style.
1954 Edwards America Convertible
From the www
Inspired by a Cisitalia roadster he encountered at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, San Francisco industrialist Sterling Edwards set out to combine Italian design flair with American engineering. The result was the Edwards America, a handcrafted sports car that married elegant European-inspired styling with domestic V8 power.
The fiberglass body, featuring an eggcrate-style grille and upswept rear fenders, was designed by Norman Timbs, while Phil Remington (who later became a key figure in Carroll Shelby’s racing programs) assisted with construction.
The America utilized a strengthened Henry J chassis with a 100-inch wheelbase. Various American V8 engines powered different examples, including Oldsmobile, Lincoln, and Cadillac units producing between 205 and 210 horsepower. Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels, leather upholstery, and high-quality detailing gave the car a refined, upscale character, positioning it as an American alternative to European sports cars like Ferrari and Aston Martin.
Introduced in late 1953, the Edwards America carried an initial price of about $6,800, rising to over $8,000 by the time production began. These high costs made the project commercially unviable. Only five examples were completed before Edwards ended production in 1954, with just two built as convertibles. Remarkably, this limited run predated the debut of the Ford Thunderbird by a couple of years.
John Bono
North Jersey
15/11/2025 9:38 am
Excellent choice John! Surprisingly, looking at the chassis componentry and engine selections, it reminds of a Chrysler product. Good looking car overall!
15/11/2025 9:58 am
Nice looking car for sure!
Zeeky Banutski
The People’s Republic of Maryland
15/11/2025 10:41 am
Great looking car but likely too expensive for the times and requiring components from other manufacturers and early heavy slow fibreglass technology for the body. Still, outstanding looking. A lot of creative work was going on, mainly as cottage industries in the early 1950$. Thanks John.
15/11/2025 3:52 pm
A nice looking car from the fifties when several folks were putting together fiberglass cars with power trains from the big three. The majority of these various cars were quite crude and many did not have finished interiors or even tops. One could buy a 1955 Thunderbird for $2944 while this one was $6,800.
15/11/2025 5:20 pm
I like it. Very nice.
15/11/2025 8:41 pm
It really looks good and has the great Oldsmobile Rocket V-8 engine under the hood. Very nice !
15/11/2025 11:01 pm
agree with all, thats a stunner. Wanted to find interior shots and there are heap on the Sothebys site. Another intriguing obscure car history story, thanks John
Topic starter
19/11/2025 7:45 am
Gents, thanks for your responses.
John Bono
North Jersey
Christopher Moroni and Tony Perrone reacted
19/11/2025 7:44 pm
Wow, what a beautiful automobile.🤑
