How much did a 1958 Edsel cost new?
A new Edsel in 1958 typically carried a price in the low-to-mid thousands of dollars, generally from about $2,300 up to around $4,000, depending on model and equipment.
The question deserves detail: Edsel's pricing varied by model, body style, and optional features during its brief 1958 model year; the range reflects base prices plus popular options and dealer differences.
Pricing by Model and Trim
Prices depended on trim level and body style; the following figures provide approximate advertised MSRPs from era catalogs and contemporary accounts.
- Base Edsel (entry-level): about $2,300–$2,600
- Mid-range variants: about $2,800–$3,400
- Top-tier/fully equipped versions: around $3,600–$4,000
Note: Regional pricing, dealer incentives, and optional equipment could shift the final sticker price; these figures illustrate the overall spread across the Edsel lineup during 1958.
Context and historical nuance
Edsel’s pricing strategy in 1958 was tied to its position as Ford’s new premium brand, with costs influenced by body style choices (two- vs. four-door configurations), trim, and optional features. Contemporary catalogs emphasize the breadth of pricing within a relatively compact model lineup.
Summary: In 1958, a new Edsel generally cost several thousand dollars, with starting prices in the low $2,000s and top trims approaching or exceeding $4,000, depending on configuration and options.
How much did a Ford Edsel cost new?
The most costly Edsel had a price tag of over $4,000, or about $36,000 today, and overlapped with Ford's own Mercury product line. The confused consumer couldn't figure out whether the Edsel was a mid-market or luxury automobile. In the first year, 63,110 Edsels were sold in the United States, and only 4,935 in Canada.
Why did the 1958 Edsel fail?
Consumer Reports has alleged that poor workmanship was Edsel's chief problem. Marketing experts hold Edsels up as a supreme example of the corporate culture's failure to understand American consumers.
What is an Edsel worth today?
The price of an Edsel car varies widely based on the model, condition, and rarity, with many working models listed between $10,000 and $30,000, and rare or top-condition examples potentially selling for much more. For example, a 1959 Edsel Ranger in good condition might sell for around $15,000-$20,000, while a 1958 Edsel Ranger Roundup could be around $28,000, with a 1958 Edsel Citation in excellent condition valued at $14,900. Extremely rare models like a 1960 Edsel Ranger Convertible have sold for as high as $184,500.
Price examples by model and condition
- 1959 Edsel Ranger: Typically ranges from approximately $10,000 to $23,000 depending on condition and mileage.
- 1958 Edsel Ranger Roundup: A good condition model is often priced around $28,000.
- 1959 Edsel Corsair: A good condition model is typically valued at about $18,675.
- 1958 Edsel Citation: In excellent condition, one is valued at around $14,900, but its highest recorded sale price is significantly higher.
- 1960 Edsel Ranger Deluxe: A good condition example sells for around $15,289, with its highest auction sale in the past three years reaching $20,900.
Factors influencing the price
- Condition: A vehicle's condition is the most significant factor, with "excellent" or "concours" condition cars fetching much higher prices than those in "good" or "average" condition.
- Mileage: Lower mileage generally increases the value of a classic car.
- Model and Rarity: Some models are rarer than others, such as convertibles or certain station wagons, which can impact their value.
- Provenance: The car's history, including who owned it, can influence its price. For example, Edsel B. Ford II's former station wagons sold for record prices due to owner provenance.
- Modifications: Modifications, both tasteful and otherwise, can affect the final sale price.
How much did a Ford Edsel cost in 1958?
The Edsel offered several features that were considered innovative for the time, including its rolling-dome speedometer and its push-button Teletouch transmission shifting system in the center of the steering wheel. Base sticker price was a high $3,766 before an enormous number of options available.
