Chassis no. EA5102

317-cid, 205-hp OHV V-8 engine, four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 107-inches

San Francisco industrialist Sterling Edwards was enamored with sports cars. Rather than assemble a stable of Europe’s finest; however, he was convinced that America could build a model that would compete with the best of them. The result was the Edwards R-26, a Ford-powered, tube-frame sports racer, very successful in its early seasons.

His second venture, the Edwards America, aimed at a more sophisticated audience. Coachwork was fiberglass, in a quasi-Italian idiom, built on a Mercury chassis with Cadillac or Lincoln V-8 power and Hydra-Matic transmission. By the time it reached market in 1954, however, Chevrolet’s Corvette was in full swing and Ford’s Thunderbird was in the wings. Just six Edwards Americas were built.

Believed to be the second Edwards America built, this car was originally owned by Robert Miller of San Francisco. Lincoln-powered, it was subsequently owned by Fred Hoffler. In the early 1970s it had suffered fire damage, was refurbished and sold to Richard “Tiny” Williams in Florida. At Tiny’s passing, the car was inherited by his son in Ontario, Canada, from whom the current owner acquired it in 2000.

A striking car, it shows some age, particularly on the paint and brightwork. The brown leather interior is very good, as is the matching carpet. The handsome varnished wood dashboard has Stewart Warner gauges and an AM radio. Michelin whitewall tires are mounted on Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels. Reminiscent of the Cunningham coupes of the 1950s and taking cues from Virgil Exner’s Chrysler show cars, the Edwards America personifies elegance on wheels.