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Freaky or Fun? An Edsel Speedster From Bonneville Speed Week 2013


Freaky or Fun? An Edsel Speedster From Bonneville Speed Week 2013

If this car doesn’t support the notion of, “you never know what the hell you’re going to see at Bonneville” than nothing really does. While certainly not a racing vehicle, this Edsel was turning a lot of heads…some for good reasons and some for no so good reasons. I want to know what you think about it.

While it was en vogue to mock the Edsel for its weirdo grille and botched brand launch by Ford in the 1950s, we think that the cars have aged well and are lots cooler than most of the new junk that is rolling off assembly lines in various countries around the globe. That being said, when someone goes this nuts on one, it is bound to be a polarizing build and we’re guessing that your opinions on this one will cut in both directions.

Normally I don’t jump into the fray on these straw polls but in this case I’m going to as I was up close and personal with the car when shooting these photos. Frankly, I kind of dig it. I don’t think I would build it myself or buy it like this, but if it was given to me, I wouldn’t throw it to the curb. Why do I like it? For starters, it is the only one you are ever going to see. Secondly, I dig the front end as it reminds me of the famous Clarence “Chili” Catallo’s 1932 Ford from the Beach Boys album cover back in the 1960s. Additionally I think the proportions are right enough that it doesn’t look like a clown car from the front, back, or side angles. The whole car has a wedge shape if you look from the back to the front and there was some serious metal work involved in building this cruiser.

I didn’t get a chance to find the owner or get specs on the drivertain, but let’s hope is has a big ol’ MEL engine in there and that the back tires will go up in smoke easily!

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE EDSEL “SPEEDSTER” AND THEN TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF IT!

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22 thoughts on “Freaky or Fun? An Edsel Speedster From Bonneville Speed Week 2013

  1. jerry z

    The car has a nice stance and is proportioned right but the grille is still fugly. It makes me horny!

  2. Tim G

    It is cool but would be way cooler with a straight axle instead of the M-2 crap.
    “Real Men Drive Straight Axles”

  3. Bob

    Normally I don’t like cars that have been modified this way but this one is kinda cool. I agree with Tim G though, shoulda had a straight axle.

  4. Jim

    Can’t tell from the back, but from the from to me it screams street roadster. Well proportioned. Maybe the purest would prefer a straight axle but I bet its current front suspension means better driver. I like it.

  5. Matt Cramer

    Best use of an Edsel grille I’ve seen – and I wonder if that’s not the stock Edsel IFS out front, or something like it. If they had narrowed the Edsel IFS, that would have been way cooler than a straight axle in my books, just for keeping the Edsel theme.

  6. elkyguy

    unlike a great many sectioned cars we’ve all seen lately,this one is extremely well done—he kept the edsel theme thruout,with a great eye towards proportions—not easy to do ,starting with something as large as an edsel—i personally think that the front suspension should have been chromed,more in keeping with the cars look–some nice tubular a-arms perhaps,but i don’t think it’s “wrong” the way it is—it’s not some rat-rod,or 30’s wannabe,it’s a car from the late 50’s,after all

  7. c. wheeler

    from a very experienced MEL engine builder. which means murcury, edsel lincoln.the engine ford forgot about,but with the right combo it can be a powerhouse. it’s good to see someone still interested in what i was told was a boat anchor. from the owmer of the heavy metal lincoln.

  8. Robert

    I agree. A straight axle and get real whitewalls instead of the peeling “porta-walls” and I would rock that bitch.

  9. tonto

    I seen this Edsel being built a few years ago, a lot of work went in to this, it was a 4-door once and was built by Richie Cockerline in Hudson NH.

  10. Chuck T

    Hot Rod Edsel. Only one I have ever seen. Old skool seat covers too! If you ever see it for sale better snatch it up!

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