1959 Edsel Corsair Retracrable

[mercman from oz]

Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to create this one-off 1959 Edsel Corsair Retractable. They have done an outstanding job. Pity that this body style was not offered on the Edsel in 1959? It looks fantastic.

 

[Bleach]

I like everything but the Conti-kit. That huge extension on the bumper ruins it for me.
Otherwise it's a really nice looking car.

 

[scicala]

I wonder if it still says Skyliner on the side of the roof.


Sal

 

[mercman from oz]

I agree with Herman Munster regarding Continental Kits. Too much overhang over the rear. Easy to scrape while driving over some deep or uneven gutters. I too like the "clean" look rear ends.

 

[rotorwrench]

With a retractable, it only left that little wash tub sized area in the trunk to put luggage. That would make the continental kit more useful in order to solve the problem with the spare tire location. It may look funky but it did serve the guy a purpose. I wonder how many 1959 Ford parts the guy used?

 

[Bleach]

There is a spot in the trunk for the spare tire but it is a bit difficult to get at. The roof has to be up to get to it and then you have reach for it from the side.
How often do you get a flat?

 

[Ford blue blood]

Re-skinned 59 Ford?

 

[KULTULZ]

Re-skinned 59 Ford?

Modified 59 EDSEL CORSAIR CONV most likely-

 

[KULTULZ]

The biggest headache with the Retractable wasn’t the top, surprisingly, but the limited luggage space. The top mechanism occupied both sides of the trunk and the top itself took considerable space. A small storage bin to keep luggage out of the machinery was supplied. It measured only 24 x 30 x 15 inches and was virtually useless because it sat in the center, a full 20 inches from either fender side. Because of the rear-hinged deck lid, all luggage had to be lifted over the fins. But that was not as bad as trying to lift the spare tire out of its space beneath the luggage bin. This required climbing into the trunk to get it.

SOURCE- http://www.autoinformant.com/car_pages/1957-ford-fairlane-500-skyliner/

 

[Dobie Gillis]

Sheesh, what PITA!

 

[Bleach]

Cut out a hole and add a seat and you've got a port-a-potty.

 

[KULTULZ]

What? You don't like full Continental Kits?

​

 

[rotorwrench]

Yah, it could always be worse.

 

[KULTULZ]

Well, I'll tell 'ya...

It all depends on the time period of the actual car and the taste(s) of the owner. I like the full kit on some cars but maybe not others. To me, a 58 IMPALA w/o a kit and skirts is tasteless.

That being said, a basket style kit may present a better appearance. Even if you do use a kit on a 57/59 SKYLINER to get at the spare more easily, where did FORD store the bumper jack ...

 

[Bleach]

This is the only Continental kit I like and it came from the factory that way.
I don't really like them on 56 T-Birds but that's the way the left the factory.

 

[Grumpy Rick]

From where I live, it seems that continental kits are a back East thing. Reminds me of seeing mud flaps with lights back in the 50's in Ohio. CK's rarely seen on the SoCal cars.

It is the first thing I would dump on any car newer than 1936 or so, including the '56 T-Bird.

Regional, kinda like Eastern cars getting lowered in back, and Western cars in the front.

 

[Bleach]

The CK was an factory approved option in the 59 Edsel sales literature. I'm sure it was dealer installed. Could you imagine someone trying drive one of these onto a car hauler if it came out of the factory with it?

 

[Bleach]

Don't get me wrong, I like everything else about this car except the CK.

 

[bobss396]

I like everything but the Conti-kit. That huge extension on the bumper ruins it for me. Otherwise it's a really nice looking car.

My '59 Ford is long enough. I can't imagine adding a continental kit to it. They in general look like dreck to me.

 

[KULTULZ]

Looks Good To Me ...