Ford Motor Company’s Edsel offshoot was introduced on “E-Day,” 4 September 1957. Named after Henry Ford’s son and advertised as the “Newest thing on wheels,” the Edsel was a highly anticipated expansion of Ford’s Lincoln-Mercury line. Priced similarly to the Mercury models, Ford’s goal with the new brand was to help the company gain market share from competitors Chrysler and General Motors.

In its first model year, 1958, Edsel offered the entry-level Ranger, the Pacer, the Citation, and the top-of-the-line Corsair. Each was available in various body styles, providing a car for every need or desire. While Edsel did generate excitement, it was mostly surrounding the line’s styling, deemed by many to be too radical for the period. Ford’s Edsel experiment never translated to impressive sales the automaker hoped for. Subtle changes for the 1959 model year gained little traction with buyers. Completely restyled 1960 Edsels debuted on 15 October 1959, but by November Ford had seen enough and pulled the plug after just 2,846 cars were produced for that third and final model year.

This 1958 Edsel Pacer Convertible is finished in black with a matching black convertible top. It features fender-mounted sideview mirrors and rides on wide whitewall tires mounted on steel wheels with factory wheel covers. The Edsel is powered by a 303-horsepower, 361-cubic-inch V-8 engine backed by an automatic transmission with the company’s novel Tele-Touch push-button steering wheel-mounted selector. It is equipped with power steering and brakes. The red and white two-tone interior contrasts nicely with the dark exterior and provides a pop of vibrant color typical for vehicles of the era. It features a signal-seeking AM radio and the innovative Edsel instrument panel with a clock, compass, and an optional tachometer. A desirable first-year example, this Edsel Pacer Convertible is one of 1,876 produced for 1958.

Over the years appreciation for Edsels has grown in the collector car sphere. Carrying the name of Henry Ford’s own son, these were bold products that will not soon be forgotten—and ones that are cherished by those who have experienced them. Perhaps period Ford advertising said it best: “They’ll know you’ve arrived when you drive up in an Edsel.”