What car did Ford discontinue in 1959?
Ford discontinued the Edsel in 1959.
The Edsel was Ford's high-profile attempt to reinvent its mid- to upper-market lineup with a separate brand, but producer flaws, mixed consumer reaction, and strategic missteps led Ford to pull the plug in November 1959. The retreat reshaped Ford's product strategy for years to come, and the later introduction of the compact Ford Falcon helped the company recalibrate its approach to market demand.
Background: The Edsel's ambitious bet
The Edsel was launched as a bold, high-profile project intended to rejuvenate Ford's image and compete in the growing mid‑ to upper‑priced segment. Marketed with distinctive styling and a wide range of options, Edsel products were designed to offer premium features and a fresh brand identity. The program involved heavy marketing investment and a dedicated dealer network, marking one of the largest launches in Ford's history.
Design and market challenges
Despite the splashy debut, the Edsel faced several headwinds: questions about its distinctive styling, real-world reliability concerns, a crowded price ladder, and dealer inventory problems. These factors contributed to disappointing sales and a growing perception that Edsel was out of step with consumer demand and broader economic conditions at the time.
Discontinuation timeline
Below is a concise timeline of the Edsel's rise and fall, highlighting the milestones that culminated in Ford's decision to discontinue the line and how the company redirected its product strategy afterward.
- 1957: Ford unveils the Edsel as a new premium brand and concept, signaling a major strategic push to reposition the company’s mid‑to‑premium lineup.
- 1958: Edsel goes on sale for the 1958 model year, featuring a range of body styles and aggressive marketing, but sales falter amid mixed reception and quality concerns.
- 1959 (November 19): Ford announces it will discontinue the Edsel line; production of Edsel models winds down, marking the end of the Edsel brand as a separate division.
- 1960: Ford pivots to new entries in the lineup, notably introducing the Ford Falcon as a compact, efficient alternative that helped redefine Ford’s approach to entry‑level cars.
The Edsel's discontinuation remains a widely cited example of a high‑profile product misfire, influencing Ford’s product strategy and marketing lessons for years to come.
Impact and legacy
In the aftermath, Ford concentrated on refining its mainstream lineup and focusing on engineering reliability, value, and predictable product cycles. The Edsel episode spurred revisions in quality control, dealer relations, and market research practices across the industry. It also underscored the risk of overhype and misalignment between product capabilities and consumer willingness to pay.
Today, the Edsel is often studied as a cautionary tale of brand management, product planning, and the consequences of launching a high‑risk, high‑cost project without ensuring market readiness and execution discipline.
Summary
Ford's decision to discontinue the Edsel in 1959 marked the end of a highly publicized but commercially troubled bid to reshape the company's mid‑range offerings. The experience shaped Ford's subsequent product strategy, including the move toward more practical, value-driven models like the Falcons of the 1960s, and it remains a benchmark case in business and automotive history.
What model did Ford discontinue in 1959?
Edsel Discontinued
Edsel Discontinued November 19, 1959 The Edsel automobile is discontinued by Ford. With fewer than 100,000 sold since its 1957 introduction, it is one of the most famous examples of bureaucratic failures in U.S. industry.
What was the Ford flop car in the 50s?
This ambitious car, introduced by Ford Motor Company in the late 1950s, has become synonymous with failure and misguided innovation. The Edsel's introduction was one of the most hyped in automotive history, yet it failed to capture the hearts and wallets of the American public.
What cars did Ford make in 1959?
The 1959 Ford model lineup included a range of passenger cars and trucks, with the most popular being the Galaxie, Fairlane, and Custom 300 series. The lineup also featured station wagons like the Ranch Wagon and Country Squire, the Ranchero pickup, and the Thunderbird. Popular variants within these series included the luxurious Galaxie 500, the unique Galaxie Skyliner (a retractable hardtop convertible), and various two- and four-door sedan and convertible options.
Passenger Cars
- Galaxie: The flagship model, available as a hardtop, Sunliner (soft-top convertible), and the distinctive Skyliner (retractable hardtop convertible).
- Fairlane: A popular series that included various body styles such as sedans, hardtop coupes, and convertibles.
- Fairlane 500: A more upscale version of the Fairlane.
- Custom 300: Another popular model, available in different sedan configurations.
- Thunderbird: Ford's personal luxury car, available as a hardtop or convertible.
Station Wagons
- Country Sedan: Available in both two- and four-door models.
- Country Squire: A four-door model with woodgrain paneling.
- Ranch Wagon: A two-door station wagon.
Trucks
- Ranchero: Ford's unique car-based pickup truck.
- F-Series: The lineup of light and medium-duty trucks, including the F100, F250, and F350.
- Courier: A small panel delivery truck.
What is a 1959 Edsel worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $18,675 for a 1959 Edsel Corsair in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1959 Edsel Corsair? The highest selling price of a 1959 Edsel Corsair at auction over the last three years was $106,400.
