Edsel Finally Gets Its Due

Kelley Blue Book will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the day Ford Motor Company released the Edsel for sale to the general public, September 4, 2007.
On November 19, 1959, just two years, two months and 15 days after the first Edsel was introduced to the American driver, it disappeared from the landscape.
On that day, it joined more than 2,000 other vehicle brands that met with an abrupt demise.
“For years, the Edsel was the brunt of cheap jokes on television, in the magazines and even as part of some off-color jokes; but out of those ashes, people who own an Edsel have seen interest in the vehicle and its values rise like the Phoenix,” said Phil Skinner, collector car market editor and automotive historian at Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com.
“Today Edsel owners are very proud of their cars and some have even been financially rewarded.”
While original prices for a new Edsel back in 1957 ranged between $2,500 — $3,800, some Edsels have traded in collector circles for well above the $100,000 mark.
In fact, a number of other American post-World War II “orphan” makes have also seen large increases in values due to their scarcity.
Names that were once highly respected like Hudson, Nash or Desoto that lost their following and were discontinued, have seen their fortunes turn.
Even a few cars that were barely able to get their feet off the ground, like the Kaiser, Fraser and Tucker, have today become crown jewels of the collector car market.
Some of the most desirable models are those produced at the very end of their lives.