The Edsel. Name sake for Henry’s son. Touted as “ugly” and a failure. I disagree.
I think they were great and I plan on own one at some point. ( I was pretty close earlier this year – just missed one at an auction.) There is just something about tooling around in one of those large and long 4 door land yacht. Anyway..one day I will, if I just borrow one for a week.
So in the last year of the Edsel what engines were available?
The car came in 4 configuration, body-wise. A 2 door sedan, a 2 door convertible; a 4 door sedan and 5 door wagon, but only two engine options.
Your two choices were of the V8 and straight six variety.
Ford‘s 292 was the V8 power plant . It sported overhead valves, an iron block and hydraulic lifters. The compression was ratio 8.8:1 and with a bore and stroke of 3.75 x 3.60. It came with a 2 barrel carb – model B9A9510-A. Interesting the block and heads were painted black and the value covers and air cleaner were red.
There was the option inline (straight) 6 cylinder. That too had overhead valves and an iron block. Bore and stroke was 3.62 x 3.60 and compression ratio 8.4:1. It displayed 223 cubic inches with 145 horse power. It was topped with a 1 barrel carb, model B9A9510F. It had the same paint scheme as the V8 but was considered a “delete” option in the Rangers series.
223 Straight (Inline) 6 cylinder with the proper paint scheme
Add 2 more cylinder and buy an extra can of paint for additional valve cover and you'll have this 292 with the proper paint.
Thanks for reading.
Tim
I guess in 1960 (production ended in November of 1959) Edsel used Ford engines vice the LEM (Lincoln/Edsel/Mercury) engines. If Edsel had been started in 1960 vice 1958 it might have survived. 1958 was a pretty bad recession and Edsels were pretty expensive. But for sure it probably would have died by 1990.
Bill – even the smallest Edsel you could find would be underpowered with a six clyinder. I got to drag ya into the power belt. Let’s start with getting a 440 Six pack stuffed between the fenders of that La Barron. What to ya say?
I did not learn until recently that the EDSEL was built in my hometown, Louisville, KY. The plant, at Fern Valley Road in south Louisville, is still in operation today. It was home to the Ranger and Explorer, but recently has been producing the EDGE and FLEX cars.
I too have an interest in owning an EDSEL. A stripper model with straigh six would be a nice car to collect.