Dedicated to the enjoyment, preservation, maintenance and promotion of the Edsel automobile.  The club, with members all walks of life all over the world, is a resource for the Edsel enthusiast - from our local chapters and home-town events to national publications and annual Edsel convention.  The EOC offers a source of parts, advice, and history to keep your Edsel on the road for years to come!

“Why couldn’t you just buy him a sweater or something?”

 Oh, how these words have haunted me over the years.  A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, I tried to do a very nice thing for my husband, Ray.  I wanted to get him a gift he would really enjoy, something personal that would show him I was a doting and attentive girlfriend worthy of becoming his wife.  When the perfect gift finally came to mind, I was thrilled at my cleverness!  I trotted myself down to Baxter’s Auto Parts and proceeded to the parts counter. 

me: “I need brakes for a 1958 Edsel.”

sales guy: blank stare

me: “I’m picking out the best birthday gift ever for my boyfriend, he will love them, can you help me?”

sales guy: “Um, ok, what model”

me: “A pacer convertible.”

sales guy: “Do you need the front or back?”

me: “I dunno, um, both, I guess.”

sales guy: “Do need the whole kit, or just the pads?”

me: “I dunno.  I thought I was doing good, to get you the correct year, make and model.”

sales guy: “No, you have to have more detail than that, he may just need the pads, maybe the shoes need replaced or he might need the whole kit.  Why don’t you call him and ask?”

me: “This was supposed to be a surprise, I can’t call him.  The whole reason I’m here is to show him how closely I’ve been paying attention, and get him something really nice for his birthday.”

sales guy: “Look, brakes are a very personal item, why don’t you just buy him a nice sweater or something.”

At this, I was so dejected that I left and gave up my plan to surprise Ray. 

Anyway, fast forward 10 years and we had a great opportunity....  

Mike Hinsch brought a craigslist ad he had seen on Edselmail to a Thunderbird convention planning meeting and suggested we contact the seller regarding a 1958 Edsel Citation Convertible (the holy grail of Edseldom!) Ray was not present, but I had my laptop with me, and immediately emailed the seller with my contact information asking for more photos of the car.  Within 15 minutes we had lots of new photos from the seller’s daughter and confirmed the car was indeed a great deal.  I made the commitment to buy the car before Ray had even seen photos!  

After the meeting, I raced home to show Ray the pictures.  He agreed we needed to buy it, and when the seller called us back I had a good feeling about him and the car and we made the deal over the phone based on the pictures.  

The next week was a whirlwind of activity, Fed Ex-ing a bank check to Texas, with a overnight return envelope for the title, which would be sent back to us upon receipt of our check.  Next was getting transport quotes, and making arrangements for the car to be brought to its new home in Oregon.   [I do not suggest for one minute this is a safe way to do business, but I had a good feeling about the seller and his daughter so we moved ahead.]

Once the transport company had possession of the car, we received a phone call from the driver letting us know he was on the way to Oregon and we would see him in 5 days. 

driver: Uh, Hullo, Mrs. Watson?  Yeah, this here’s Bill and I’ve got your car in my trailer.

me: Oh, fabulous, I’m so excited, this is great, I can’t wait to see it!

driver: Now you know miss that this is a big project.

me: I’m sure it will be!

driver: “You, sure you know what you purchased?  This thing’s a mess!”

me: “Yes, I know, it needs total restoration, but its an EDSEL CITATION CONVERTIBLE!  It’s a pretty rare car.”

driver: “Well ok, then, but I want you to know, it ain’t much to look at, and I want you to be prepared when I get to your driveway and unload it. I’m telling you the thing is in pieces, and its got a ¼ inch of dirt all over it.  You sure you know what you’re getting into?  I just hate to see a woman cry.”

I convinced the dear driver that I was aware of my purchase, and I promised not to cry when he delivered this rare treasure.  Oh, and he laughed out loud when I called it a treasure.

Saturday, April 12, 2008 was “Gotcha Day” and we were up at the crack of dawn.  Truth be known, neither of us slept much the night before. 

Its here!  Its here!  Its here!  We unloaded our turquoise 1958 Edsel Citation Convertible shortly after noon, and boy was she a beauty!  We found lots of goodies inside; and all the promised pieces were with the car.  We even got a bonus rat skeleton, but we’re not sure if it was factory installed or an after market addition.

We named the rat McNamara, and proceeded to dig through the boxes of options and parts.  The odometer read 56,134, and the last time it was licensed appears to be 1966.  The biggest surprise, besides the rat skeleton, was 3 of 4 NOS tail light lenses, still in their boxes and an original wiper motor with the washer coordinator. 

Its been over a year now, and we spend our time searching out a few needed parts, and dreaming of the places we’ll take her once she’s restored to her original glory.  My favorite piece of the story, is that I have been crowned “Best Wife Ever” by my husband, and the fact that I pounced on the car when we had the chance gets me out of almost any trouble I find myself in!