The Edsel was a make of automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company during the late 1950’s. Henry Ford named the Edsel after his son. The car brand is best known as one of the most spectacular failures in the history of the United States automotive industry. Ford had an excess of money on hand from the success of the Ford Thunderbird so they wanted to add another make to the intermediate slot. Research and development began in the mid 1950’s under the name “E-car” (experimental car).

The Edsel was introduced to the public on "E Day,” September 4, 1957. It was promoted by a television special called The Edsel Show. Ford had leaked word which had consumers expecting a completely new car. The Edsel shared the same bodywork with other Ford models. As soon as it was evident that the Edsels were not selling, dealers added Lincoln-Mercury, English Ford and/or Taunus dealerships to their lines with the encouragement of Ford Motor Company.

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Edsel continued to produce models introducing the Mercury-based Citation and Corsair, and the Ford-based Pacer and Ranger. There was also the four-door Bermuda and Villager wagons and the two-door Roundup wagon.  For the 1959 model year, there were only two Edsels. There was the Ranger and the Corsair, which was, in actuality a relabeled Pacer. The other two cars were not produced that year. Ford announced the end of the Edsel program on Thursday, November 19, 1959 and the Edsel was produces only until late November. In the end the company lost $350 million on the Edsel.

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