1958 Ford Edsel Citation
The 1958 Citation Convertible marks the first and only year of this innovative yet ill-fated top of the line model of Edsel automobile. Having gone public in 1956, Ford Motor Company felt the need to compete against Chrysler’s DeSoto and GM’s Oldsmobile and Buick brands to increase sales to newly prosperous buyers. Thus, the creation of the Edsel was slated as an aspirational upmarket offering by Ford. A massive marketing campaign accompanied Edsel’s introduction but there were underlying problems. Edsel shared the frame and bodywork of other less expensive Ford and Mercury products but with bold changes to trim, options, lights, and badging to set them apart. While filled with innovative convenience features, the overall styling was not universally appreciated, and with a high purchase price, sales were slow to materialize. Early Citation Convertibles such as this Copper Metallic and Frost White example, were built in Somerville, MA up until October 1957 when the plant closed with only 644 cars leaving the facility out of a total of 930 drop-tops built in the ’58 model year.
The Citation was not lacking for power as it was outfitted with a 410 cubic inch V8 engine giving 345 horsepower and 475 ft/pounds of torque to the helm of this long heavy car.
There were options aplenty for the Citation Convertible. Push-button transmissions were the rage in the late 50s and Edsel answered with the Teletouch Automatic with the activation located on the hub of the steering wheel. Power brakes and power steering, childproof door locks, a Continental style spare tire kit mounted to the rear bumper, power-operated retractable cloth roof, and AM radio are found on this heavily optioned model. Rather than a conventional linear speedometer, a rotating compass style speedo made the driver feel like a captain of a “land yacht”. Matching two-tone Copper and White fabric interior with a padded dashboard was the finishing touch of style. The cost of all these features pushed the car well into the luxury car category with some vehicles exceeding the price of the up-market Lincoln and Continentals offered by Ford.
Initially, Edsel sold at their own unique dealerships, however, in short order they were forced to merge with Mercury and Lincoln franchises as a deep economic recession hit in 1958, hurting sales of the more expensive Edsel cars. The marque would not last beyond 1960 as sales continued to fall beyond sustainable levels. The end of the decade would see Edsel, Nash, Hudson, DeSoto, and Packard all vanish from the automotive marketplace.
Specifications:
Engine: 410.1 cu in V-8, Single 4 bbl carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed cruise-o-matic push-button transmission
Power: 280 hp
Torque: 395 ft-lb, 536 Nm
Length: 218.9 in (233 in with Continental Kit)
Width: 79.8 in
Height: 56.8 in
Wheelbase: 124 in
Speed: 0-60 mph 9.8 sec, quarter-mile 17.8 sec
Top Speed: 114 mph
Fuel Economy: 10.3 mpg
Weight: 4696 lbs