Projects The Adventure of a Boy and His Edsel

Wow! That may be the most expensive Edsel in existence...

 

It’s definitely up there with the 60s convertibles and wagons.

but pinky is way more fun. Drive it around and not have to worry about rock chips and stuff. Also funner bringing a car back up to drivability.

 

No kidding on the “way more fun” comment. I have learned that I have infinitely more fun with these old cars when they can be daily driven and not worried about messing something up as compared to a really nice car that is mainly good for car shows. There are times when I have considered making something real nice again, but then I am reminded how much more fun beaters are.

 

Neither did I. Apparently there isn't too many of them.

 

Got to thinking???? Do you think the plugged tranny vent could be also causing the slipping? Maybe trying to mix air with the fluid?

 

Not sure. It actually seems to be working pretty good now. And, I got my other sons car off the lift, so hopefully we can check it out this weekend. We have a list of small things to do to pinky before our Hot Rod Hundred next Saturday and the Gathering at the Roc the following weekend.

 

That is the car, I have to get some pix off my phone. Supposedly a one-off prototype from what the owner said. He's a local retired lawyer, I know his son, also a lawyer. The family has some ultra rare cars in their collection.

 

That one might have saved Edsel!

Oh, well. Maybe not.

 

Does nobody read the link?

A unique vision of what could have been, this car was built as a 1959 Edsel version of Ford’s famous Skyliner retractable hardtop. Based upon a Fairlane 500 Galaxie’s structure, it was extensively rebuilt to a highly professional, factory-correct standard, with the rear of the body reshaped to accommodate Edsel taillights, tailfins, “continental kit,” and trim hardware, and the interior finished in correct 1959 Edsel trim and hardware, including the full Edsel dashboard and factory air conditioning. Extensive hand-workmanship was used throughout to blend all of the components together, resulting in a car that looks as if it could have been done by the factory, with superb fit and finish. Under the hood can be found a 303-hp, 361-cu. in. Super Express V-8 and DualDrive automatic transmission, the most desirable powertrain combination in any 1959 Edsel. Thanks to the excellent maintenance during its time in the Calumet Collection, the car runs and drives well, and the retractable hardtop has been serviced to function as new.

 

...and the undercarriage naps are longer !

 

Link !! Uhhmm uuhhh dduuhh I ate em for breakfast !

 

A fine job with safety in mind also . That's the way to do it !

 

You can probably safely read a little between the lines as well. If Ford had even the slightest hopes of building a production model Edsel retractable, it would have likely been based on the 1958 model.

Over their few years as a Ford model the Skyliner was a halo car, never sold in large numbers and likely never returned a profit on Ford's investment. Mid-way thru the 1958 model year Ford also sadly realized that it's newly launched Edsel division was in the same predicament.

Rather than building an expensive, flashy, new '59 Edsel prototype model, it would make more sense for them to start "de-contenting" the '58 model line. Which is what it seems like they did, paring the bloated '58 Edsel model line-up down to a more manageable and profitable size. More like the Ford and Mercury models on which they were based. And still too little, too late.

 

Finally got around to trying to figure out why the transmission is puking out the dipstick. It’s not a plugged vent. And, they gave us the wrong pan gasket at the parts store, so we didn’t pull that yet. Oh, and had to pull one of the tires off to get a hole fixed. Nothing like the last minute to get it ready for our reliability run coming up Saturday.

Anyone have any other ideas what might make one of these two speed Fordomatics puke fluid every once in a while like this is doing? Maybe the screen/filter is plugged and it builds pressure for some reason?!?! Other than puking, it seems to be working fine.

 

On the TH400 in my coupe if I fill it up to full on the dipstick it pukes out the vent until it’s a quart low on the dipstick then it’s happy.

Did you fill it up recently? Maybe it’s overfull.

 

What Dan said

 

Hmm...wondering if that isn’t our issue here as well. This wasn’t a problem before the motor swap and we have been trying to make sure it stays full on the dipstick. I think we may run it lower and see what happens. Worse case, I have a spare 3 speed Fordomatic that we could swap in...after this weekend. Thanks guys.

 

the Powerglide on my 59 did that too.

 

Good vibes sent . Cheering Y’all on .

 

Car wash trip before Saturday.

 

That last shot is beautiful. I continue to think you absolutely nailed the stance when you lowered the Edsel.

 

Thanks! I definitely like the way it sits as well. When Silas and his buddies are all in it, it is even lower and drags every now and then on stuff. But, it isn’t always easy being cool.

 

One more cool shot we took on the way home from the car wash.

 

Seems to me there's some role reversal going on here...... The old man should be driving the family seeedan (and smoking a pipe), and the kid should be driving the 2 door cruiser. Just sayin'.....

 

Yeah, but you know how the younger generation also doesn't have as much issue with four doors as us older guys do. I suppose I have my grandpa car now too in my 50 Buick, but I still prefer two doors.

 

Some 4 doors are VERY COOL at least to me. 51 Merc 4 door is one of my faves....& now certain Edsels are too. Er four.....

 

Have a great run...

 

It's just really cool that your son is interested in old stuff. Most kids just want any generic thing that will get them to their friend's house for a gaming session!

 

These days, give me a 4-door over anything else. In the past, nobody wanted one so they and station wagons went cheap.

 

Well, pinky did good on the reliability run today. Silas played official photographer for the event. Not all 150 cars were HAMB friendly at all, but depending on what all he got shots of, I may post a thread with pics of the ones that were.