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Edsels get a bad rap, they were a decent car on par with Mercury. Styling was a little weird, but hardly bizarre or overchromed by late 50s standards. Edsel failed because it had no market raison d'etre, and became an embarrassment to own, status-wise
Not really. Edsels were no more a lemon than most cars of the era, and shared driveline with other FoMoCo cars. The beloved 390/427 Ford called FE block, for Ford Edsel. Edsel died because Joe 1958 didn't want a car mocked by Milton Berle.
Also the 430/460 big block FoMoCo engines are called MEL blocks for Mercury Edsel Lincoln. The MEL was produced until the late 60s and the FE until 1976.
The Edsel was sort of a star-crossed tribute project to honor the memory of Edsel Ford (1893-1943), Henry Ford's only son, and Henry Ford II's dad. Edsel Ford was one of the most underrated people in car history, and it's a shame his name is sullied a bit by the project.
Edsel was the guy who persuaded Henry Ford to relent from his "any color as long as it's black" Model T strategy for the 1928-31 Model A, and later (with Bob Gregorie) designed the gorgeous and popular streamlined Deco Fords of 1932-1944.
Edsel (again with Gregorie) designed this roadster as his personal car, based on a 1934 Ford chassis 
The story of Henry & Edsel Ford is a bit of a Shakespearean tragedy. Henry fancied himself the rugged industrious self-made farm boy, and lorded over Edsel whom he considered, for some time, a pampered artsy college boy princeling.
In retrospect Edsel's focus on styling and comfort helped save Ford as Henry's pet Model T had run its course in 1927. When Edsel died in 1943, it more or less broke Henry Ford emotionally.
Utterly untrue in the case of the Fords. Left to his own devices Henry would have continued making his beloved black Model Ts forever, or until they were annihilated in the market by GM. Edsel saved Ford from Henry's stubbornness.
One of the reasons I admire Ford Motor Company is that after 116 years it is still a family owned business; the majority of voting stock is owned by Fords, all descendants of Edsel (and Henry).
FWIW, in 2009 my hot rod was invited to the Eyes On Design show at the Edsel Ford Estate in St Claire Shores MI. Felt kinda like I was wearing a t shirt and jeans at a royal ball.
Like his dad, Edsel Ford was fond of English Tudor architecture; that last pic is the kids' playhouse. Edsel would commute every day from here to the Ford River Rouge plant, 20+ miles, by speedboat.
I will close this already too long thread with pics of 1937-38-39-40 Ford Deluxes, when Edsel Ford's design aesthetic was hitting home runs every year.
OK one more: I would be remiss if I failed to mention Edsel Ford & Bob Gregorie's masterpieces, the '37-'40 Lincoln Zephyrs and 1940 Lincoln Continental
On a related note, I just now got me my first 3-window Edsel & Bob Gregorie-designed Ford. It should buff out nice.
