When the plans were in motion for the creation of Ford’s Edsel in the early 1950s, the economy was strong and growing. At that time, Americans seemed to have an unquenchable thirst for fully equipped, high-powered, chrome-clad cars. It was the Ford Motor Company’s goal to satisfy that thirst when they introduced the Edsel on September 4, 1957. Unfortunately, the year that the Edsel was launched, the economy was struck by a flash recession, and consumers’ purse strings were suddenly tied tightly.

Nonetheless, the public flocked to dealerships for the Edsel’s introduction with high expectations. They would be short-lived, and very few people would go home with a set of Edsel keys in hand. Sure enough, sales reflected the public’s disappointment, and following the 1960 model year, Ford Motor Company put a halt to production.

In 1959, the Corsair was little more than an Edsel Ranger with a larger engine and a longer list of standard features. The Corsair Sedan was built on the same platform as the Ranger, and they were very similar to each other; the Corsair was primarily distinguishable by the placement of the side trim and variations in the body styles offered. The easiest Corsair to identify was the Convertible, as the Ranger was not offered with an open body style that year.

The 1959 Edsel Corsair Convertible offered here is a very rare find. It is finished in a two-tone Twilight Turquoise color with a White top and boot cover, which are complemented by the Twilight Turquoise and White vinyl interior. It has gone through an extensive body-off restoration to meet grueling show standards, yet it has remarkably never been shown, instead being maintained in climate-controlled storage and serviced regularly. The Corsair Convertible comes equipped with many factory options, including the 303-horsepower Super Express V-8 engine, power steering, four-wheel power-assisted drum brakes, a power top, a Town & Country radio, back-up lights, a Continental kit, electric wipers, a windshield washer, and the original owner’s manual, to name just a few.

With only 1,343 examples ever produced and very few survivors, the 1959 Edsel Corsair Convertible is not only the rarest, but, as a top-of-the-line offering from Edsel that year, it is also the most desirable. This example is presented in exceptional condition, and the offering of which marks an opportunity to acquire what is arguably one of the best.