Why the Edsel Failed

I go over why the Edsel failed, and I debunk some theories for the failure

[MyDarkmarc]

On October 19, 1955, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Marianne Moore, was approached by Bob Young of the Ford Motor Company and asked her to assist them in naming a new series of cars. Said Young in his initial letter: We should like this name to be more than a label. Specifically, we should like it to have a compelling quality in itself and by itself. To convey, through association or other conjuration, some visceral feeling of elegance, fleetness, advanced features and design. A name, in short, that flashes a dramatically desirable picture in people's minds. Moore agreed, and over the coming weeks, beginning on October 21st, Moore composed a list of delightful names, all of which I've compiled in a single list below, chronologically. Her final suggestion, sent to Young on December 8th, was the amazing, "Utopian Turtletop." Incredibly, Ford ignored all of Moore's ideas and instead named their new car, "Edsel." It flopped.
The Ford Silver Sword
Hirundo
Aerundo
Hurricane Hirundo (Swallow)
Hurricane Aquila (Eagle)
Hurricane Accipter (Hawk)
The Impeccable
Symmechromatic
Thunderblender
The Resilient Bullet
Intelligent Bullet
Bullet Cloisoné
Bullet Lavolta
The Intelligent Whale
The Ford Fabergé (That there is also a perfume Fabergé seems to me to do no harm, for here allusion is to the original silversmith who was famous for his eggs)
The Arc-en-Ciel (the Rainbow)
Arcenciel
Mongoose Civique
Anticipator
Regna Racer
Aeroterre
Fée Rapide
Tonnere Alifère (Winged Thunder)
Aliforme Alifère (Slender Wing)
Turbotorc (used as an adjective by Plymouth)
Thunderbird Allié (Cousin Thunderbird)
Thunder Crester
Dearborn Diamanté
Magigravure
Pastelogram
Regina-Rex
Taper Racer
Varsity Stroke
Angelastro
Astranaut
Chaparral
Tir á l'arc (Bull's Eye)
Cresta Lark
Triskelion (three legs running)
Pluma Piluma (hairfine, feather-foot)
Adante con Moto (description of a good motor?)
Turcotinga (turqoise cotinga—the cotinga being a South-American finch or sparrow)
Utopian Turtletop

[JohnSmith-rwuh]

The Falcon was a very important and special car, a great compact and the base for the Mustang. Do not forget it was made in Australia up until 2016... The Falcon GT with the 351 Cleveland, a classic. then later the coupes. in the new century the Turbo Barra engine and the same V8 used in the Mustang.

[BillyBBecker]

This story really helps me. I'm 63 my dad bought a used 59 Edsel maybe in 63..64, I was very little and remember the car. He was a mechanic and has on the shop. He would often say what a great deal of it and what a good car it was. I remember I was taking that car out on some trips. And a crazy thing he is pretty frugal. But for some strange reason we didn't keep it very long. Maybe 2 years. I really think in the neighborhood where we live in Colorado. Possibly could have been the butt of a lot of jokes. I'm not sure, but after we got rid of the castle you bought a 66 Buick wildcat. I just remember as a little kid him saying. He got such a great deal on this car. And it was unfortunate about the Edsel, because it was such a good car. Like I said personally what I think it was. My dad just want to be known for his wife into a clown That's why your story is so fast, thanks for your research 😎

[henrikrolfsen]

Both the Ford Edsel, and the Chrysler DeSoto, failed at the same time, and for the same reason: Both models were overpriced.. Why should somebody buy a DeSoto when for the same money, they could step into a Chrysler? Why should anybody buy an Edsel, which was just a ford, with odd looking trim, when they could step into a beautiful Lincoln, for $200 more?

[jamessawyer]

The 1959 Edsel was sharing body shells with Ford, along with the 1960 model, but if you look at the 1958 station wagon, it too shared the same body shells