My quest for a new (old) car...

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busrider
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by busrider »

Look at the front of that thing! Hideous! Vertical grille... Ugh.
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Derwent
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by Derwent »

I kinda like the Edsel...
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by AEC Decker »

Deanes 5013 wrote:Deanes 5013 is very impressed with the equipment levels and specs in what is a 1950s car :o :!:
1959 Edsel Options & Accessories
Here is a list of the available equipment, sorted by their (1959) retail prices:

Dial-Temp Heater/Air Conditioner $431.20
Dual-Power Automatic Transmission (Super Express V8 only) $230.80
Mile-o-Matic Automatic Transmission $189.60
Power Windows - All 4 $102.05
Dial-Temp Heater $90.10
Station Seeking Radio $89.20
Power Steering $81.80
Lever-Temp Heater $74.45
4-Way Power Seats $70.20
Push-button Radio (5-tube standard, w/manual antenna) $64.95
Super Express 361 Engine (Ranger) $48.90
Power Brakes $43.25
Tinted Glass (Required with Air Conditioning) $37.90
Whitewall Tires $35.68
Dual Exhaust (Express & Super Express only. Std on convertible) $31.90
Super Express 361 Engine (Corsair/Villager) $29.60
Wheel Covers with Spinner applique $28.00
Two-tone Paint $21.55
Padded Instrument Panel & Visors $20.60
Rocker Panel Mouldings (Not available on Villager) $17.00
Wheel Covers $16.60
Windshield Washer $13.85
Rear Speaker (Not available on convertible or Villager) $10.70
Back-up Lights $9.42
Electric Windshield Wipers $8.40

Economy Six Engine, DELETE OPTION (Ranger) $83.70 Credit
Economy Six Engine, DELETE OPTION (Villager) $96.50 Credit

Additionally, there were Factory Approved accessories that were installed by the Edsel dealership.
These included:


Compass
Continental Spare Tire Kit (not on Villager)
Curb Feelers
Cushion Toppers
Electric Clock (was optional on Villager)
Engine Compartment Light
Floor Mats (front & rear)
Heavy Duty Battery (65 Amp)
Heavy Duty Clutch
Heavy Duty Generator (50 Amp)
Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers (All 4)
Heavy Duty Springs - Front
Heavy Duty Springs - Rear
License Plate Frame (gold or silver)
Litter Container
Locking Fuel Tank Cap
Luggage Compartment Light
Overdrive
Padded Sun Visors
Parking Brake Warning Light
Polar-Aire Conditioning ("Hang-on")
Power-Lock Differential
Power Lubricator
Power Windows - Front Only
Rear Antenna (single or dual, not on Villager)
Rear Door Safety Locks (4-door only)
Remote-Controlled Side View Mirror
Rooftop Luggage Carrier (Villager only)
Safety Seat Belts
Spotlight and Mirror
Standard-style Side View Mirror
Tissue Dispenser
Traffic Light Reflector
Vanity Mirror Lamp Kit
Ventilated Seat Covers
Deanes 5013 wrote:The chrome work is exquisite.
Chrome and stainless steel mouldings.
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by Swift »

Ha.All of those options sound really desireable and if money was no object ,I think I would tick all the boxes thanks !:mrgreen: .I imagine it would add a tonne of weight though.maybe the bare bones edition with the Super Express option is the way to go :lol: .

Can you imagine an Australian car of the time being available with much of those ?The introduction of the 1968 Holden Brougham was the first Aussie car I know of with power windows.I'm not sure if the Ford offering had that feature available.
NSW, the state that embraces mediocrity.
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ALBION1881
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by ALBION1881 »

With all these options no wonder the Edsel car was a failure instead of a car license the owner would have to get a truck license instead the Edsel would go from a ton to six tons and it would not be classed as a car but a truck these Yanks certainly like to go overboard when it comes to options for there cars.
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tbc1983
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by tbc1983 »

LowRider wrote:However, tbc1983's idea is good! ZL Fairlane, or the LTD equivalent are a great car, with the powerful and super reliable 4.1L 250 Crossflow motor in them. They are huge, they are square, and are mega comfortable. If you go even the model before it, the ZK then you can get one with a 302 or a 351 Cleveland V8 in it. They are also reliable, reasonably powerful... However they suck down fuel like theres no tomorrow, similar to the WB Stato. Remember though, that if you get a ZK/ZL Fairlane you're buying a car based on the XD Falcon (but obviously a long wheel based stretch) which is a 1979 Model, where as if you buy a WB Stato, you're essentially buying a piece of the early 70's since they are just a huge Kingswood.

We used to have one many years ago and I loved it!

Image


Cheers!
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scott
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by scott »

Remember the ZL's with the Star Wars dash, cigarette lighters in the doors (when Victorians were allowed to smoke in cars) and the triple decker sound system with the AM/FM tuner, cassette deck and the graphic equaliser in one big attractive stack in the dash, not to mention the expensive looking electric window controls, Ford have not made a decent model since.
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tbc1983
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by tbc1983 »

^^^^ Yes, I have to admit that. We have a '97 Fairlane Ghia; it's a bloody good car, nice refined looks and a spacious interior, but the fittings are rather plasticky. Even the grill and hood ornament are plastic, FFS! :evil:

What works in/with the car works well, e.g. radio, climate control, V8 engine, smooth tranny, but the plastic part that surrounds the clock on the dash has some play; the fake wood trimming on the doors are prone to coming off (we've had one glued back by the mechanics), the seat belts in the back are a bastard to fasten, but other than, it's a good car.


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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by AEC Decker »

ALBION1881 wrote:With all these options no wonder the Edsel car was a failure instead of a car license the owner would have to get a truck license instead the Edsel would go from a ton to six tons and it would not be classed as a car but a truck these Yanks certainly like to go overboard when it comes to options for there cars.
The Edsel was only a failure because of its' radical design, it shared the same chassis, mechanicals, accessories and options as other FULL SIZE (to seat 6 adults) cars from Ford (Lincoln & Fairlane).
All FULL SIZE cars in those days weighed in at around 1½ to 2 tons as they were made of steel and not plastic. As petrol was so cheap, heavy cars with V8 engines were the norm.
The Yanks didn't go overboard with the options, they just gave the buyer a large choice to personalise their car.
Many of these options are now standard equipment on the cars of today.

In Australia, you got very little in they way of options. Even the first model (XK) Falcon sold in the USA in 1960, had more options than its' right hand drive Australian cousin. 221ci or 260 V8 engine, factory air conditioning, just to name two.
At least the first Aussie Falcon had a automatic transmission option, whereas the General Motors Holden still only offered a "3 on tree" manual transmission up until the release of the EK model.
Ford also offered a "Taxi pack" and a "Police pack" option for the XK Falcon.
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by Swift »

The most comfortable car I ver rode in was the ZK Fairlane with the then new 4.1 six cyl EFI.Supremely quiet and with sumptuous velour everywhere you look,I truly felt like royalty riding in the back of that!

It's a forgotten classic that I would buy if I could ever find a rust free example.I would fit a four speed auto from a later Ford and a barbeque fuel tank in the boot and have the ultimate luxo cruiser.
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Re: My quest for a new (old) car...

Post by AEC Decker »

tbc1983 wrote:^^^^ Yes, I have to admit that. We have a '97 Fairlane Ghia; it's a bloody good car, nice refined looks and a spacious interior, but the fittings are rather plasticky. Even the grill and hood ornament are plastic, FFS! :evil:
Cheers!
That is AEC Deckers' main complaint with newer cars, too many rattles and squeaks from the clipped or glued together plastic interiors. :roll:
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