Edsel Pacer

{{Distinguish|AMC Pacer}} {{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox automobile | image = 58 edsel pacer.jpg | name = Edsel Pacer | manufacturer = Edsel (Ford) | model_years = 1958 | class = Full-size | assembly = Mahwah, New Jersey Louisville, Kentucky San Jose, California Oakville, Ontario | predecessor = Ford Fairlane | successor = Ford Galaxie | body_style = 2-door convertible 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan | engine = {{convert|361|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} FE V8 | transmission = 3-speed manual 3-speed automatic | width = {{convert|78.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="1958EdselSellOGraph">{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Sell-O-Graph/1958%20Edsel%20Sell-O-Graph-04a.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Sell-O-Graph |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}}</ref> | weight = {{convert|4000|-|4500|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} | wheelbase = {{convert|118.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} | related = Edsel Ranger Edsel Bermuda Edsel Villager Edsel Roundup Ford Fairlane Ford Custom Ford Country Squire | designer = Roy Brown Jr. | caption = Pacer 4-door sedan }} The '''Edsel Pacer''' is an automobile that was produced and sold by Edsel in 1958. The Pacer was based on the shorter narrower Edsel platform, shared with Ford and the Ranger.<ref>Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. ''American Cars 1946-1959'' (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008), p.888.</ref>

Pacer is one of two Edsel model names reused by manufacturers other than Ford, as was Citation. The Corsair, a 1958-only Edsel model, used a name previously applied to the Henry J by the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation.

The Pacer represented a step up from the basic Ranger model. In addition to the Ranger's base trim appoints, the Pacer received contoured seat backs, nylon upholstery cloth, color-keyed rubber floor mats, and extra stainless steel exterior and interior trim pieces and window moldings. A basic heater (as a US$92 option) and radio (at $95) were available, and air conditioning was optional, as well<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Features/1958%20Edsel-07.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Features |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}}</ref> (at $417).<ref name='flory890'>Ford Motor Company, p.F8.</ref> A tachometer was optional.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Foldout/1958%20Edsel%20Foldout-03.html |title=Directory Index: Edsel/1958_Edsel/1958_Edsel_Foldout |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |date= |accessdate=2011-11-09}}</ref>

All Pacers rode on Ford's 118 in (2997 mm) wheelbase<ref name='flory890'/> and shared the Ranger’s engine choices, with a 303 hp (226 kW) {{convert|361|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} FE V8 (with four-barrel carburetor)<ref>Ford Motor Company, Edsel Data, 1958 Official Reference Manual for Edsel Salesmen, p.F-8</ref> as standard. (The 345 hp (257 kW) {{convert|410|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} MEL V8, standard in the Corsair and Citation, was not available.)<ref name='flory890'/> A three-speed manual transmission was also standard. Buyers also could upgrade to a three-speed automatic transmission with a standard column-mounted gear selector, or choose Edsel’s highly promoted but trouble-prone Teletouch automatic, which placed its drive-selection buttons in the steering wheel hub, as a US$231 option.<ref name='flory890'/>

While their roll-out was highly publicized in the fall of 1957, Edsels were a marketing disaster for Ford and for Ford's corporate strategy for meeting General Motors product line for product line. Total Pacer output in U.S. and Canada for the model stood at 20,988 units, of which 1,876 were U.S.-built convertibles, 7,141 four-door sedans (6,083 U.S./1,058 Canada), 6,717 hardtop coupes (6,139 U.S./578 Canada), and 5,254 four-door hardtops (4,959 U.S./295 Canada). Prices for the Pacer ranged from $2,700 to $2,993. Despite being among the best-selling 1958 Edsel models, the Pacer was discontinued at the end of the 1958 model year. The premium Citation model was also dropped, as was the trouble-prone Teletouch system.

==Production figures== {| class="wikitable" |+ Production Figures for Edsel Pacer |- ! Body Style ! Units |- | 2-Door Convertible || 1,876 |- | 2-Door Hardtop || 6,717 |- | 4-Door Hardtop || 5,254 |- | 4-Door Sedan || 7,141 |- ! Total ! 20,988 |}

== Gallery == <gallery perrow="5" mode="packed"> File:Edsel 1958 grille.jpg|1958 "horse collar" grille File:58 Edsel Pacer (7457833434).jpg|1958 Edsel Pacer 4-door sedan File:Edsel Pacer 1958 (4922383186).jpg|1958 Edsel Pacer 2-door Hardtop File:Edsel Pacer 2-door Hardtop 1958 wing.jpg|1958 Edsel Pacer rear quarter File:Edsel Pacer 2-door Hardtop 1958 rear.jpg|1958 Edsel Pacer rear File:Edsel 1958 Pacer 4-Door Hardtop Yellow .jpg|Edsel Pacer 4-door Hardtop File:1958 Edsel Pacer Convertible (7612477412).jpg|Edsel Pacer Convertible </gallery> {{clear}}

==Different platforms== The model year of Edsel's introduction was a post-WW II high point of sorts for the Ford Motor Company. Three full-size platforms of distinctly different interior widths were in use each by Lincoln, Mercury, and Ford, a situation that lasted until Ford received a much wider platform in 1960. Edsel shared both Mercury's and Ford's platform in 1958, so offers an insight into their differing interior dimensions. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:91%;" !1958 Comparison<ref name = "Popular Mechanics1958">{{cite book | title=Popular Mechanics - Feb 1958 | date=February 1958 | publisher=Hearst Magazines | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=49sDAAAAMBAJ&dq=PA165&pg=PA165 | accessdate = 2012-01-22}}</ref> !Edsel Citation/Corsair !Edsel Pacer/Ranger |- |Wheelbase || {{Convert|124.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|118.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Overall length || {{Convert|218.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|213.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Width|| {{Convert|79.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|78.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Height|| {{Convert|56.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|56.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Front head room|| {{Convert|33.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|33.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Front leg room|| {{Convert|44.2|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|43.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Front hip room|| {{Convert|63.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|60.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Front shoulder room|| {{Convert|59.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|57.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Rear head room|| {{Convert|32.8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|33.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Rear leg room–ins.|| {{Convert|43.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|40.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Rear hip room|| {{Convert|63.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|60.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |- |Rear shoulder room|| {{Convert|59.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} || {{Convert|57.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |} {{clear}}

==References== * {{cite book | author = Bonsall, Thomas E. | title = Disaster in Dearborn: The Story of the Edsel| publisher = Stamford University Press| year = 2002 | isbn = 0-8047-4654-0}} * {{cite book | author = Duetsch, Jan| title = The Edsel and Corporate Responsibility| publisher = Yale University Press| year = 1976 | isbn = 0-300-01950-5}} * {{cite book | author = Heasley, Jerry | title = The Production Figure Book For U.S. Cars | publisher = Motorbooks International | year = 1977 | isbn = 0-87938-042-X}} * {{cite book | author = Triplett, Ty | title = The Edsel Owner's Handbook, Second revision| publisher = International Edsel Club | year = 1990 | id = n/a}} * Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. ''American Cars 1946-1959''. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008. * {{cite book | author = Ford Motor Company | title = Edsel Data, 1958 Official Reference Manual for Edsel Salesmen | publisher = Ford Motor Company | year = 1957}}

;Notes {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Edsel Pacer}} *[http://www.edsel.com Edsel.com] History, specifications, resources for owners. *[http://www.edsel.net Smith Motor Company] Virtual Edsel Dealer *[http://www.internationaledsel.com/ The International Edsel Club] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070830151750/http://www.edsel.us/ Edsel.US] Restorer's discussion group

Pacer Category:Coupés Category:Sedans Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Category:Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States Category:Cars introduced in 1958 Category:Cars discontinued in 1958