How I Learned To Love My Edsel

by Doug Harley

It is 1964, and in a suburb north of Philadelphia, my grandmother  (who lived with us) is getting ready to go to church. Her friend - the wife of a retired doctor from the rich side of town - said she'd stop by and pick her up.  I watched with amazement as a car rolled up in front of our house. In my imaginative, 5-year old mind, I was awestruck by this "rich person's" car. It was a Star Blue Metallic 1959 Edsel Villager.

Fast forward to 1996; I am innocently strolling the grounds at Summer Carlisle, my early childhood love of the Edsel still very much intact. Although I dreamed one day of owning a turquoise and white 1959 Corsair 2-door hardtop, I made do by collecting Edsel memorabilia, which is why I came to Carlisle - it is the Mecca of the old car hobby. Little did I know that all was about to change.

As I headed to leave after a long, tiring day of walking the miles of the vast flea market, I heard a voice call out out to me..."Hey buddy!  Look over here! I'm your dream come true!"  I glanced over my left shoulder and "she" was there, only "she" was a red and white 1960 Edsel Ranger 4-door sedan. There was no mistaking those four standing oval taillights.

Red! The one color I really didn't want. I'm just not a "red" kind of guy. Besides I really wanted a sporty 2-door hardtop, not a boring sedan. And it had to be a '59 like the one the rich lady had. But still, this mysterious "lady in red" mesmerized me. As she pulled me over for a closer look, I began to fall in love with this rare beauty. Before me I saw a very tired, but complete car at a very reasonable price. My last line of defense, money, was now gone.

As I talked to the seller, I found out about her previous owners and the story behind this once proud machine. Later, I would find out the missing pieces that he didn't know. Her story was a simple one. She was first purchased at Ray Lewis Motors in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania on November 5, 1959 by Mr. Melvin Rotz of Shippensburg. Mr. Rotz loved his Edsel dearly and they had an "affair" for over 30 years. He polished it so much that the paint was worn down to the primer on the high spots. After his death in the early '90s, the Edsel was given to his nephew, who soon lost interest and consigned her to this dealer of early '60s Fords, who brought her to Carlisle. When the dealer told me he was planning to part her out if she didn't sell that weekend, I knew in my heart that I had to save her from that cruel fate. After all, she was just to good to cut up for parts. A deal was struck, and a week later she was in my garage.

Over the next 3 years, restoration work was completed including a transmission rebuild, new upholstery, some rechroming, bodywork, and a fresh new coat of Regal Red paint. On October 1, 1999, we arrived at the Louisville Assembly Plant where she had rolled of the line 40 years before, to the day. It was a very special homecoming for a very special lady. It was also a great birthday present for me as I turned 40 a few days later on October 5.

Today, with over 157,000 miles on her odometer, we travel to many shows and club events. She attracts a lot of attention and wins her share of awards. Never once has she left me standing by the side of the road. Although she's not the Edsel I always dreamed of owning (that will come in time), she's my secret mistress that hides out in the garage. I fell in love with the "Lady in Red" and became a proud and happy Edsel owner. Dreams do come true. It happened to me!

Doug Harley's 1960 Edsel Specifications

0U12W701123   -  58A  -  JM1 -  25  -  01K  -  3  -  3

0 = 1960, U = Louisville, Kentucky Assembly Plant,  12 = Edsel Ranger 4-door Sedan product series,   W = 292 cubic inch V-8 engine,   701123 = the ,123rd Edsel scheduled for production at Louisville for the 1960 model year. The first was 700001.

58A = Edsel Ranger 4-door Sedan Body Style Code

JM1 = Regal Red (J) and Polar White (M) Two Tone Paint (1)

25 = Red vinyl and black Pebblecloth interior

01K = scheduled for production on October 1, 1959

3 = 3.10 to 1 rear axle ratip

3 = Mile-O-Matic 2-speed automatic transmission