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) version...
...and a black and red version (#05-15).
In 2009, Hot Wheels released a 1958 Edsel Pacer hardtop in their "Hot Wheels
Classics" fifth series. The car is painted "Spectraflame" Blue with white top and
scallop.
The car was released in standard (hard plastic 5-spoke wheels) and, for the first time in
their Classics series, a limited edition "chase car" version with rubber whitewall tires.
A few months after the blue version was released, a second dark violet/silver version hit the stores.
The first dark version chase car was spotted in late August 2009.
Like its pink sibling, this limited edition version came with rubber whitewall tires.
Around the same time, the "Walmart Exclusive" Spectraflame Pink version hit the stores as
part of a 30-car set. It has the rubber whitewall tires like the other chase cars, and
was not sold individually.
A Spectraflame Green with white scallop version became available in February 2010 as part of the "Larry's Garage"
collection. The chase car in this series has Larry's initials (LRW) printed in the chassis.
In the late summer of 2010, a back body and scallop, red roof version was released in the "Larry's Garage"
collection. The car runs on "Real Riders", whitewall tires with chrome spoke rims.
This was followed-up with an orange and white "Larry's Garage" Edsel, with unique orange-tinted windows and light blue
interior. Imaginations are starting to run wild over at Hot Wheels.
In February 2013, the "American Graffiti" Edsel appeared on store shelves. This series commemorates the 40th
anniversary of the film's release.
Minimarque is another producer of white metal scale Edsels, and in
May 2006, the Citation hardtop was released in Jonquil Yellow and Jet Black (model GRB-20),
Jet Black/Ember Red (GRB-21), Spruce Green Metallic/Snow White (GRB-22), and Copper Metallic/Snow White (GRB-23). These
are all 4-door hardtops.
Other known Minimarque 1958 Edsel Citation 2-door models (GRB-78) include:
Chalk Pink hardtop
Ember Red
hardtop
Ember Red convertible (open)
Ember Red convertible (closed)
Coral hardtop
Coral convertible (open)
Coral convertible (closed)
Turquoise hardtop
Turquoise convertible (open)
Turquoise convertible (closed)
Royal Blue hardtop
Royal Blue convertible (open)
Royal Blue convertible (closed)
Powder Blue convertible (open)
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 an
unnatural slope to the side scallops - not typical of The Franklin Mint's quality.
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.
Sometime in
2007, they released the 1958 Bermuda again, this time in Turquoise and Frost White. It
follows the path of an even smaller run than before with only 1,008 units produced, according
to its base.
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.
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.
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.