1959 Edsel

This classic 1959 Edsel Ranger is one cool classic that has an awesome look. You don't see these cars everyday and hardly ever find one that isn't rusted out. This car isn't the case and is a great driver. It is White and Blue two tone and looks great. All of the chrome and trim is in place on the car and is in solid shape. This car isn't your trailer queen show car but it certainly is a nice classic. It is the type of classic to restore or just drive it as it is. Side mirrors are in place on both the drivers and passenger side and mounted on the fenders. This car isn't missing a thing.

Powering up the classic Ranger is the 292 Ranger V8. This motor has a nice smooth hum with a great sound. The motor is topped with the correct Gold valve covers and original air cleaner. Check out the tables below to get an overview of these 59 Edsels and a detailed breakdown of the engine:

Stock Ranger V8 Specs

VIN Code: B

332 cid (5.43 litre)

Maximum hp: 225 @ 4000 rpm
Maximum torque: 325 ft-lb @ 2200 rpm

Minimum compression pressure at cranking speed (lbs): 180
8.87:1 Compression Ratio
4.000 x 3.297 Bore/Stroke

2-bbl Ford carburetor
Carburetor fuel level: 0.5 inches at 5 lbs (use sight plug to check level)
Float setting: 0.75 inches closed, (fuel bowl inverted)

Firing order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Distributor rotation (viewed from above): Counter-clockwise
Cylinder numbering (front-to-rear, viewed from front) Left: 1-2-3-4 Right: 5-6-7-8

18mm Champion spark plugs, 0.035 gap

Cam Angle (degrees): 26 - 28.5

Breaker Contact Gap (inches): 0.014 - 0.016
Breaker Point Arm Spring tension (ounces): 17-20

Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 0 @ 400 rpm
Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 0.5 - 1.5 @ 500 rpm
Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 6 - 7 @ 750 rpm
Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 8 - 9 @ 900 rpm
Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 13.75 - 14.25 @ 2000 rpm

Vacuum Spark Advance @ 1000 rpm (degrees): 0 - 3 (6.5 inches of vacuum)
Vacuum Spark Advance @ 1000 rpm (degrees): 5 - 8 (10 inches of vacuum)
Vacuum Spark Advance @ 1000 rpm (degrees): 9.5 - 12.5 (15 inches of vacuum)

Ignition Timing with standard transmission: 3 deg BTDC
Ignition Timing with automatic transmission: 6 deg BTDC

Idle speed in Neutral with standard transmission (rpm): 475 - 500
Idle speed in Drive with automatic transmission (rpm): 450

Generator maximum controlled output (Std): 30 amp, 15 volt @ 2525 generator rpm
Generator maximum controlled output (Air Cond): 40 amp, 12 volt @ 2670 generator rpm
Generator brush tension (ounces): 36 - 40
Generator rotation (viewed from drive end): Clockwise

Regulator cut-out relay - Close: 12.4 - 13.2 @ 1200 generator rpm
Regulator cut-out relay - Open (Std): 6 - 9 amps reverse current
Regulator cut-out relay - Open (Air Cond): 2 - 6 amps reverse current

Current Regulator - Standard (amps): 28 - 32
Current Regulator - Air Cond (amps): 33 - 37

Voltage Regulator (volts): 14.6 - 15.4 with 5 amp load at 75 degF ambient

Starter motor free running speed: 4500 rpm (85 amps, 12.0 volts)
Starter motor lock torque: 15.5 min ft-lbs (550 amps, 5.0 volts)

Battery cable length - battery to ground (inches): 19
Battery cable length - battery to switch (inches): 12

Oil Pressure (lbs): 45 - 50

Valve Stem clearance - Intake (inches): 0.019
Valve Stem clearance - Exhaust (inches): 0.019
332 V8 uses hydraulic valve lifters
Valve Timing: Intake valves open at 22 degrees before top dead center

Cooling system capacity - 8-cylinder (qt): 19 (20 if equipped with heater)

Thermostat opening temperature (deg F): 157 - 162 with alcohol-type antifreeze
Thermostat opening temperature (deg F): 177 - 182 with permanent antifreeze)

Engine Colors

Semi-gloss Black:

Block, heads, intake manifold, oil filler tube, oil pan

Gloss Black:

Brackets, generator, fan, pulley, starter motor,inner fender aprons, radiator

Silver-Gray Metallic: (PPG color DAR-2593)

Air Filter cover, valve covers

Natural:

Transmission bell housing, distributor, exhaust manifolds, fender attaching bolts

Original plans for the 1959 Edsel had been in place well before the 1958 model was introduced. As with the '58s, Mercury would share the body style with the big series Edsels (Corsair & Citation), and a smaller series (Ranger, Pacer) would team up the Edsel with the 1959 Ford body.
A decision was made in early 1958 to drop the big Edsels from the 1959 line, leaving Mercury to stand alone in the Ford stables with a mid-size car. The remaining Edsels were to be renamed - "Ranger" surviving as the standard version and "Corsair" taking the deluxe model spot that was to be the Pacer.
With the disasterously low sales volume of the 1958 model, costs had to be slashed on the 1959 Edsel. In a series of money-saving measures, the Teletouch Drive transmission that was originally planned as an option on the 1959 Edsel, was eliminated. Unique design elements were cut, and the Edsel began to lose some of the features that made it distinct. Taillights from the 1958 Continental were used, the chassis was the same as the Fairlane, and the dashboard became almost identical to the Ford.
Also, as a result of the public's changing need for a more economical car, the available engine size for 1959 Edsels were significantly smaller than in the 1958 models. The powerful E-475 motor was eliminated, and the E-400 that was once standard was now a high-performance option. Styling was much more conservative this year as well. The large distinctive grille was reduced and incorporated into a more Ford-like horizontal configuration.

Identification data

EDSEL RANGER 2-Door Hardtop Economy Six Mile-O-Matic Drive
as offered for 1959 in North America U.S.

Production/sales period:	1958 - 1959
Modelyears:	1959
Country of origin:	USA
Make:	Edsel
Model:	Ranger-Corsair 2gen
	1959-1959
Type:	Ranger 2-Door Hardtop
	1959-1959
EEC segmentation:	F (luxury cars)
Class:	full-size / executive car
Body style:	hardtop coupe
Doors:	2
Traction:	RWD (rear-wheel drive)

Dimensions & capacities

Length:	5357 mm / 210.9 in
Width:	2027 mm / 79.8 in
Height:	1422 mm / 56 in
Wheelbase:	3048 mm / 120 in
Front track:	1499 mm / 59 in
Rear track:	1432 mm / 56.4 in
Fuel:	76 liter / 20.1 U.S. gal / 16.7 imp. gal
Turning circle btw. curbs:	12.74 m / 41.8 ft
Drag coefficient estimated by a-c:	0.6
1st row:	42.77 in / 1086 mm
2nd row:	40.36 in / 1025 mm
1st row:	56.7 in / 1440 mm
2nd row:	56.56 in / 1437 mm
1st row:	33.83 in / 859 mm
2nd row:	33.52 in / 851 mm
1st row:	60.4 in / 1534 mm

Weights

Shipping weight:	1584 kg / 3491 lbs
Curb weight estimated:	1690 kg / 3730 lbs

Powertrain

Engine manufacturer:	Ford Milage Maker Six 223 / Ford Edsel Econo-Six
Engine type:	spark-ignition 4-stroke
Fuel type:	petrol (gasoline)
Fuel system:	carburetor
Charge system:	naturally aspirated
Valves per cylinder:	2
Valves timing:
Additional features:	Holley 1-barrel

Emission control:
Emission standard:
Cylinders alignment:	Line 6
Displacement:	3653 cm3 / 222.9 cui
Bore:	92.08 mm / 3.625 in
Stroke:	91.44 mm / 3.6 in
Compression ratio:	8.4 : 1
Power gross:	108 kW / 147 PS / 145 hp (SAE gross)
	/ 4400
Torque gross:	279 Nm / 206 ft-lb
	/ 2200
Redline rpm:

Drivetrain

Gearbox:	Ford Fordomatic/Edsel Mile-O-Matic
Transmission type:	automatic


Number of gears:	2
Gear ratios (overall):
I	1.75 (5.42)
II	1 (3.1)
III	()
IV	()
V	()
VI	()
VII	()
VIII	()
R	1.5
Speed range
(max speed on gears,
top gear value theor.):	(km/h/mph)
I:	119 / 74
II:	208 / 129
1000rpm speed:	(km/h/mph)
I:	25.1 / 15.6
II:	43.8 / 27.2
Torque converter factor:	2.6
Final drive ratio std:	3.1
optional:
Standard tires:	8.00 x 14

The interior is done in two tone Blue that is nicely in place. The split bench up front is nice and comfortable and can be easily adjusted. The dash is nicely painted with all the stock style controls, knobs, and switches. An underdash AC unit is in place on the car and blows cold with no issues. Even the AM radio is in place and works like new. You can even hear us tune into a station in this video. This is a very interesting car that you rarely see out on the road. They don't come up for sale very often especially at a great price like this!