Here you'll find a list of collectible "Edsel-bilia". Models, promotional cars, toys.. anything that celebrates the existence of the Edsel is included, and more items are coming to light every week! If you have something that should be included or updated, please contact us.
"Promo"s, or promotional plastic scale models, came in single, two-tone and
tri-tone versions of the 1958 Pacer 2-door hardtop, and were released
to Edsel dealerships to promote sales.
The popular green & white promo was given away to potential buyers upon
completion of a test drive in the new Edsel.
"A $2.00 Value", proclaimed the advertisements.
AMT issued their first "3-in-1" kits in 1958. Included in the series was the
Pacer hardtop (AMT catalog number 8EKHT) and Pacer convertible
(8EK). They were basically the promo car in kit form, with racing and customizing
parts included.
Anguplas released a 1958 convertible plastic model, in 1:86 scale.
Siku released a similar 1958 Citation Hardtop (Catalog #98). Both
were pre-built, and were never re-issued.
Ferrero, producer of HO-scale plastic cars, released a crude 1958 Citation
convertible in blue with white trim.
Lionel trains issued a flatbed rail car (#17548 of the "Route 66" collection)
with two 1958 Bermuda Wagons along for the
ride. (Submitted by Mike Williams)
In 1967, AMT released a 1958 Edsel Pacer "Funny car" kit (catalog number 6758).
This model resembles the promo in body style only. It's jacked up and has an
outhouse door as a front bumper!
1996 saw the release of Big Daddy Roth's Rat Fink '58 Edsel, a cartoon come to life in 1:25th scale.
A resin kit of a 1958 Edsel Pacer 2-dr HT is available from Modelhaus,
5480 Traughber Road, Decatur, IL 62521, (217) 864-4402. It currently retails for
around $62. (Photo/model paint by G Blanston)
A resin kit of a 1958 Edsel Bermuda wagon is available from ALL AMERICAN MODELS,
22 South 16th Street, Lafayette, IN 47905 765-423-4565.
(Photo/model paint by G Blanston)
In August 1999, AMT/Ertl released the long-anticipated 1:25th scale plastic
Pacer Hardtop. (See more of this kit at the
Livonia, Michigan IPMS
web site)
This same kit was re-issued with new box art in June 2003. The Red/White Edsel
appears over a brown and tan checkerboard background with a strip of road running vertically
down the left side.
Soon after the AMT kit was released, they also produced the Pacer 2-door Hardtop
in a pre-painted "Custom Shop" edition. All of the parts come pre-painted to authentic
colors, and are packaged individually (right down to the bumper guard pads!) so your Edsel
is complete in a matter of hours.
This same kit was also released in a "tan checkerboard and road" box like the unpainted
version.
In
September 2000, AMT released a third version of the Pacer 2-door Hardtop kit,
this time including fender skirts and a continental kit. Unlike the previous two
kits that have a photo of an actual red Pacer on the box, this version's box art shows
the model painted in green.
AMT again cashed in on the model's enormous popularity, releasing a
fourth version of the car in August 2001. The AMT "Masterpiece" series features
the Pacer 2-door hardtop pre-assembled and highly detailed. The production
run was limited to 5000, and each car is serialized.
The first new Edsel collectibles of 2005 were released by Action Performance, with their
two new 1958 Edsel Pacer 2-door hardtops in their
Muscle Machines series of 1:64 diecast -
A yellow and brown (#05-21) and a black and red version (#05-15).
In
the mid-1980s, The Franklin Mint released a series of 1950's cars in 1:43
scale. Included in the set was a 1958 Citation convertible, which had a slightly
unnatural slope to the side scallops.
The
Danbury Mint entered the 1:43 scale Edsel arena with their "Ford-100 Centennial Collection"
introduced in early 2003. There are ten FoMoCo cars in the display, including a coral
and white 1958 Bermuda station wagon.
On July 9,
2004, Minichamps released a new version of the
Danbury Mint's "Ford-100" 1958 Bermuda, except this time around the color was Ember Red
and white. This had a limited run of 2544 units, which was stamped on the base. No
special box art, as it's plainly packaged.
Taking a cue
from others before them, on August 17, 2005,
Minichamps released yet ANOTHER new version of the
Danbury Mint's "Ford-100" 1958 Bermuda. This time in a Spruce Green with white
scallop and Driftwood roof, the car has a limited run of 1728 units, according to the base.
The
National Motor Museum Mint released an Ice-Green-on-White 1958 Citation 2-door
hardtop in 1:32 scale. Strangely, the hood opens from the front. A real Edsel's
hood is hinged in the front. The model is not currently available from their online store.
The
Franklin Mint issued a 1958 Citation convertible in 1:24 scale in
December 1993. Finished in Chalk Pink and Frost White, the model was regarded as
a much improved work of art than the earlier 1:43 attempt. It retailed new for
$120 plus shipping.
In
1997, the Franklin Mint released a Turquoise and Frost White convertible for the same price.
(Edsel trivia: The real Citation used as the master was yellow. The car's owner was
given six Edsel die casts from the Mint - each one in pre-production yellow!)
Not
to be outdone, in 1996 The Danbury Mint offered an Ember Red 1958 Bermuda station
wagon diecast replica in 1:24 scale. According to many sources,
this is the most accurate portrayal of an Edsel ever released in diecast form.
The Danbury Mint also released the wagon as a McDonald's promotional vehicle, in red with
yellow lettering.
In
2004, Danbury created a limited number of the 1958 Bermuda in Horizon Blue, which
were made available to their Classic Car Preview Society members only.
Road Legends began releasing a series of
nicely detailed 1:18th scale Edsels in April 1999. Among the available cars
are five 1958 Citation convertibles, pink with white trim,
black with red trim, red with white trim, dark blue with light blue trim, and
a mint green with white trim. The red and blue cars appeared in September 1999,
while the green Citation entered the market in March 2003. There are also
at least two1958 Citation 2-door Hardtops, one pink and white, one red and black,
that were issued in 1999.
In
Fall 2001, YatMing (again under the Road Legends logo) released a limited box set -
a 1:18 scale gold 1958 Citation convertible bundled with a green 1948 Tucker Torpedo,
available exclusively at "Toys R Us" stores. The front of the box opens to display the
cars, while a brief history of the cars adorns the inside cover.
Contact the Tinsmith, Dan Crossman, who can provide information on nearly any tin Edsel ever made.
Slot Cars (1:76 Scale)
In October 1998, M.E.V. Originals released its first 1958 Edsel Ranger slot car, which
is still available in many colors. Visit them at
tjets.com
Pedal cars
In 1957, the Edsel Division authorized a pedal car to be produced in
the form of an Edsel. But instead of making a smaller version
of an exiting model, they created a new one - the Edsel Youngstar.
More details and photos of this very rare (150 built, 4 known to still exist)
pedal car are in development.
A second Edsel decanter was released in August 1999, and featured the
1958 Corsair 2-dr hardtop in clear glass, filled with 75 ml (2.5 fl. oz.) of Avon's
"Black Suede" aftershave lotion. It is priced at
$9.99 from avon.com (Item # 300-832).
Christmas Ornaments
Hallmark issued a 1958 Citation convertible ornament, dated 1995, as part of their
Collector's Series. It came with a miniature Christmas tree sitting on the back
seat. Issue price was $17.00.
Greeting Cards
Ambassador/Hallmark produced a 1958 Citation card with Edsel
history and specs on the back. The notes call the look of the Edsel
"bizarre", which is compounded by the fact that they printed the card
in reverse, with backwards-facing E-D-S-E-L, hood ornament and EOC badge!
Knives
The Franklin Mint released a series of pocket knives, each with symbolic references
to various car marques. One was a 1958 Edsel Citation knife, with a picture of a
Pink Citation convertible in the center, and the Edsel "E" on the left. The blade
was engraved with "1958 Edsel Citation".
Pogs
Jell-O Brand Desserts issued a set of 200 "Picture Wheels" in Canada, each approximately
1-3/8" diameter. Number 172 of the series is a 1958 Corsair 4-door (Although the
description below the illustration says it's a Citation.)
Puzzles
F.X. Schmid produced a 1500 piece jigsaw puzzle featuring a detailed painting of a 1958
Citation Convertible in 1997.
Trading Cards
Packs of Doral Cigarettes in 2004 included one "America on the Road" trading card,
with a photo on one side and auto facts on the back. Card number 10 of the 26-card set
is a 1958 Pacer in a silver metallic color.
Promotional models of the 1959 Corsair convertible were released to Edsel dealerships
in late 1958.
AMT released 1:25th scale 1959 Corsair hardtop (2-HTK) and
Corsair convertible (2-CK).
In 1963, the hardtop was molded in blue and re-released as part of AMT's snap
together "Jr. Trophy" series.
A resin kit of a 1959 Corsair 2-door hardtop is reportedly available from
Modelhaus, 5480 Traughber Road, Decatur, IL. 62521, (217) 864-4402 for
around $62.
Promotional models of the 1960 Ranger convertible were molded in several colors,
and although they're rare, they are many times more plentiful than the car itself!
There are also 1960 Ranger 2-door hardtop promos, molded in White, Red, Blue and
two-tone variations.
On these AMT-produced promos, the rear axle is connected to a friction motor.
For model kits, AMT comes through again with a 1:25th scale 1960 Ranger 2-door hardtop
(2260)and Ranger convertible (22260).
A 1960 Ranger 2-door hardtop resin kit is available for around $54 from Modelhaus, 5480 Traughber Road, Decatur, IL 62521 (217) 864-4402.
In May 2006, M.E.V. Originals released its first 1960 Edsel Ranger coupe slot car, which
is still available in many colors. Visit them at
tjets.com
Pogs
Jell-O Brand Desserts issued a set of 200 "Picture Wheels" in Canada, each approximately
1-3/8" diameter. Number 178 of the series is a rear-view of a 1960 Ranger 4-door
sedan.