College Cars: 1959 Edsel Corsair Convertible

This is College Cars, another look into the automobile collection of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Today we're looking at a 1959 Edsel Corsair.

We all know the story of the Edsel and how it became one of the auto industry's biggest flops. In retrospect, it's hardly the worst car ever made and quite frankly I love them. Perhaps its two greatest flaws were being built on the same assembly line as Fords (causing quality to suffer due to confusion or parts shortage) and daring to be different with a vertical grille that in some ways harks back to the cars of the 1930s. But the public today remembers Edsel mostly as a punchline. I don't think that's fair.
The 1959 Corsair convertible is a rare animal, with only 1,343 built. As the Academy likes to show off their recent additions at the San Francisco International Auto Show every year, and this one appeared at the 2011 show, I assume that it is the multiple award-winning car that sold at Gooding & Company's auction at Amelia Island in 2010, for $99,000. Perhaps the most fascinating detail about this car is its history, as it was built for the 1959 American National Exhibition in Moscow, complete with a metric speedometer. A Soviet official tried to buy the car and, when denied by a Ford PR man, blocked the rep's return visa to the U.S. until a sufficient bribe was placed. After its tour of duty in the Soviet Union, the car at some point ended up in a German museum and later made its way back to the States. It bounced from collector to auction house and back before it ended up in the hands of the Academy of Art. It still has the box of Russian documentation and original spare parts in the trunk from 1959.
As an editorial note, I really don't think the continental kit helps this car at all. Perhaps a rare option or period addition? As huge as the Corsair already is, I'd much prefer it without the big extension. Still an amazing car though.

College Cars: 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz

This is College Cars, a recurring feature on the vehicles of the Academy of Art University car collection. Today we look at this Cortez Silver 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz.

The Eldorado was Cadillac's halo car in 1959. This was about as opulent and ostentatious as you were going to find in the late 1950s - and the Caddy's iconic tailfins were as high as anyone ever got. Power to move the 5000-lb car came from a 390 cubic inch V8 making 345 horsepower. Only 1,320 of these striking '59 Eldorado convertibles were built.

College Cars: 1959 Autobianchi Bianchina

This is College Cars, a recurring feature on the vehicles of the Academy of Art University collection. Today is April Fool's Day, so let's look at something that's silly and tiny like a clown car. This is a 1959 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformabile semi-convertible.

Autobianchi was a joint effort by bicycle manufacturer Bianchi, carmaker Fiat and tire company Pirelli to build small cars based on Fiat architecture. Bianchi actually made cars before World War II, but was hindered badly when their old factory was destroyed by wartime bombing and company founder Edoardo Bianchi was killed in a car accident. This partnership allowed the company to return to carmaking on a limited basis. The Bianchina was Autobianchi's first model, based on the Fiat 500 but kitted up with a stylish new body and more luxurious features. Among these were a semi-convertible canvas roof insert that slid back on a track to let the sunshine in. This model, called the Transformabile, was the only way customers could have a Bianchina until 1960 when the line was expanded to include other models.
This car was purchased by the Academy of Art University in 2011 and fetched a surprising $82,500.

Parking Lot Photo Shoot: 1959 Ford Fairlane Galaxie 500

High-Class Horsecollar: 1959 Edsel Corsair Sedan

I am a complete sucker for the Edsel. Someone has to love them and I count myself as one of those people. This is a gorgeous green '59 Corsair 4-door sedan. Corsair was Edsel's larger and more luxurious model line and these cars are very rare today. Only 44,891 Edsels were built in 1959, of which only 3,301 were Corsair 4-door sedans. Notably absent on this car is the troublesome Teletouch automatic, which shifted the transmission through push buttons on the steering wheel hub. Due to cost-cutting - and probably customers complaining of putting the car in the wrong gear while trying to honk the horn - Teletouch was dropped after 1958. The interior isn't perfect, nor is the exterior, but this is a very clean car for its age.

Are you an Edsel fan too or does the "Oldsmobile sucking a lemon" grille leave you sour? Find it here in the San Francisco area for $8000 or go here if the ad expires.