361cid E-400 V8, column automatic transmission, 2.91:1 axle ratio
Edsel number
700040, its assembly plant and production date are unknown.
Owner:
Frank Goubitz
The dealer (whose son is still alive) remembered the Edsel quite well because he had to clean
it in the showroom for a long time. The fact was that the car didn't sell at all and it
took about 11 months before the Edsel was finally sold to a six-foot tall local moviehouse
owner. The official Ford dealer had only the engine and body number, 700040. They
had the information sheet from the Ford plant and made up their own number. They took a
cut out part of an oil can, stamped the number into the metal and placed it on the firewall
like GM did. I never found any plant info sheet in the car not even under the seats.
Location:
Netherlands
Owned since:
1962
Mileage:
unknown
Condition:
unknown
Originality:
Factory original
Accessories included:
unknown
Notes:
The VIN number on my Edsel is a one of a kind. There is no identification plate on the
doorpost and never has been! There are two unharmed holes that do not even show rivet
markings, so this Edsel didn't had the plate when it left the ship in
Antwerp (Belgium). In a way this Pacer is still "like a virgin".
The "dealer-made" number
was far from correct, and reads:
EDSEL PACER / 1958
68 ABXH 700040
Many people (also noted Edsel historian Phil Skinner) have not solved this riddle. Phil
told that this "knockoff" Edsel could even be assembled in the Ford plant in Belgium. The
car (which never had a new paint job) doesn't even have an available Edsel interior/exterior
colour scheme.
