West Coast Classics are proud to present and showcase an exceptionally rare piece of American automotive heritage: a top-of-the-line 1960 Edsel Ranger Convertible.
Representing the final model year for the short-lived brand, this highly collectible vehicle is one of only 76 ever manufactured.
Under the hood sits its factory-original, upgraded Y-code, 352 cubic-inch OHV Express V-8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor, pushing out 300 horsepower—the highest performance powertrain available for the Ranger line.
This power is managed by a Dual-Power three-speed automatic transmission, featuring an independent coil-spring front suspension, a live rear axle anchored by semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel power-hydraulic drum brakes.
While it is uncommon for a vehicle rejected by its contemporaries to evolve into a highly prized collector car, the Edsel stands as a legendary exception.
The marque debuted in late 1957 with a bold, forward-thinking aesthetic, yet it struggled to capture the public's imagination despite a highly diverse 1958 lineup.
Hoping to reverse course, Ford scaled back for 1959 with a heavily Ford-based design, but sales plunged by another third.
For the 1960 model year, the Edsel returned as a subtly redesigned version of the standard 1960 Ford line.
Its swift demise shocked no one; production was permanently halted just over a month after launch, leaving a total production run of only 2,846 vehicles.
Among these rare 1960 units, the convertible coupe reigns supreme among collectors, fueled by its minuscule 76-unit production run.
This extreme rarity has historically driven counterfeiters to fabricate clones by grafting Edsel front grilles and taillights onto standard 1960 Ford Sunliners.
This particular vehicle is a thoroughly authentic, beautifully restored survivor that belongs to an elite category as a coveted, verified "one of one" build specification.
Vehicle Overview & Restoration:
Rarity & Color: Out of the 76 convertibles produced, fewer than 60 are accounted for today, with many lost to time or verified only through old paperwork.
This genuine survivor underwent a high-quality cosmetic restoration in striking Regal Red.
Interior: The cabin features a period-correct, refreshed Red and Silver vinyl upholstery. Crucially, it retains its impossible-to-replicate, original factory-embossed door panels.
Cabin Features: The dashboard retains its original AM pushbutton radio alongside a well-preserved Lever-Temp heater and defroster unit.
Proven Authenticity: The car's ownership history is well-documented within the classic car community and has been officially verified by the Edsel Database Registry as a genuine factory convertible.
It was previously sold at RM Sotheby's Auburn Fall auction in 2018 for $95,700 before entering a prestigious private collection.
History of the 1960 Edsel Demise:
Ford Motor Company executives had quietly resolved to terminate the Edsel brand by mid-1959. However, to prevent legal entanglements and satisfy existing franchise contracts, corporate leadership opted to roll out a heavily restricted 1960 model year.
The initial strategy was to cap production at 3,200 cars and dissolve the brand quietly at the end of December 1959. But as the retail network rapidly dissolved—leaving a mere five exclusive Edsel dealerships nationwide—executives accelerated their timeline.
On November 19, 1959, Ford blindsided assembly workers and dealers alike by publicly announcing the end of the Edsel brand. When the assembly lines froze on November 19th, exactly 2,830 units had been completed, while 16 more sat partially built at the Louisville, Kentucky factory.
Workers finished the remaining inventory the following day, and around noon on November 20, 1959, a Villager station wagon rolled off the line to officially close the book on the Edsel experiment.
The entire public retail window for the 1960 models lasted exactly one month and five days, having launched on October 15, 1959.
VIN & Production Breakdown:
The car's authentic identity is verified by its historic factory coding sequence (OU15Y701609):
0 (Model Year): 1960 model year.
U (Assembly Plant): Assembled at the Louisville, Kentucky Ford plant (the exclusive home of the 1960 Edsel).
15 (Body Series): Ranger Deluxe/Convertible series.
Y (Engine Type): 352 cu. in. Express V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor, pushing 300 horsepower (the top-tier optional engine for 1960).
701609 (Consecutive Unit Number): Built late in 1959 just prior to cancellation. This was the 1,609th Edsel built for the 1960 model year. (Production started at 700001 and stopped abruptly at roughly 702846)
Data Plate Breakdown:
76B J 55 07K 4 8:
76B (Body Style): 2 DOOR CONVERTIBLE. This is the holy grail for Edsel collectors; only 76 were built before Ford shut down the division.
J (Exterior Color): Regal Red paint.
55 (Interior Trim): Red Vinyl and Red Morrokide interior trim scheme designed specifically for the convertible line.
07K (Date of Manufacture): Built on October 7, 1959. This places its assembly just one week before the car was officially introduced to the public (October 15), and roughly six weeks before production was permanently halted (November 19).
4 (Transmission): Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission.
8 (Rear Axle): 2.91:1 rear axle ratio, built for smooth, low-RPM highway cruising
This vehicle represents a monumental chapter in American industrial history.
Combining peerless rarity with the ultimate factory engine option, this immaculate Edsel Ranger will instantly position its next caretaker at the absolute forefront of the global Ford & Edsel collector car community.
