Edsel · 1958–present

Edsel Citation

The Edsel Citation is an automobile that was produced by the Edsel division of Ford for the 1958 model year. The flagship Edsel model line, the Citation was offered as two and four-door hardtop sedans as well as a two-door convertible. Slotted above the Corsair, the exterior of the Citation was distinguished by additional stainless steel trim and a gold-anodized aluminum cove panel (emulating the Mercury Turnpike Cruiser). In total, 8,574 Citations were produced by Edsel, of which 930 were convertibles, making the Citation convertible the second-rarest 1958 Edsel (following the nine-passenger Edsel Bermuda station wagon with 779 produced).

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Mercury Monterey · Successor: Mercury Meteor

All Edsel Citation data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Model overview

When Edsel debuted for the 1958 model year, in place of a brand-specific body and chassis, its lower-cost model lines (the Ranger and Pacer, and all Edsel station wagons) shared their chassis with the Ford Fairlane, while its premium lines (Corsair and Citation) shared their underpinnings with the Mercury Monterey and Montclair. The Citation was produced solely for 1958. For 1959, Edsel consolidated its model offerings to Ford-based vehicles, including the Ranger, Villager wagon, and Corsair (shifting to a Ford chassis). Chassis. Alongside the Edsel Corsair, the Edsel Citation shared its chassis with Mercury, extended to a 124-inch wheelbase. Using a body-on-frame layout, the Citation shared design commonality with Mercury and Ford, using a leaf-sprung rear axle and independent ball-joint front suspension with coil springs. The Citation was powered by a 410 cu in (6.7 L) MEL V8. Introduced for 1958 for Mercury, Edsel, and Lincoln, the 410 was exclusive to the Corsair and Citation (and no Lincoln-Mercury models), producing 345 hp. A 3-speed automatic was standard, paired with Teletouch steering wheel transmission controls. Body. The Citation was offered as a two-door and four-door hardtop and as a two-door convertible. Among 1958 Edsels, the Citation was the sole Mercury-based model line offered as a convertible. In contrast to other Edsels, the Citation was fitted with the most exterior stainless steel trim and a gold-anodized aluminum cove panel. Multiple paint combinations were available, with two-tone paint (roof and cove panel contrast) or three-tone paint (cove panel painted to contrast the body and the roof). Features. For the time of its 1958 launch, the Citation offered a number of innovative safety and design features. Intended to keep driver hands on the ste

Production

== References == Bonsall, Thomas E. (2002). Disaster in Dearborn: The Story of the Edsel. Stamford University Press. ISBN 0-8047-4654-0. Duetsch, Jan (1976). The Edsel and Corporate Responsibility. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-01950-5. Heasley, Jerry (1977). The Production Figure Book For U.S. Cars. Motorbooks International. ISBN 0-87938-042-X. Triplett, Ty (1990). The Edsel Owner's Handbook, Second Revision. International Edsel Club. n/a. Flory, J. "Kelly", Jr. American Cars 1946-1959. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Coy, 2008.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Edsel Citation
Manufacturer: Edsel (Ford)
Model years: 1958
Assembly: Wayne Stamping & Assembly, Wayne, Michigan, Somerville Assembly, Somerville, Massachusetts, Los Angeles Assembly, Pico Rivera, California, Oakville Assembly, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Class: Full-size
Successor: Edsel Corsair (1959)
Body style: 2-door convertible, 2-door hardtop, 4-door hardtop
Engine: Ford 410 cuin MEL V8
Transmission: Ford 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic MX automatic
Kerb weight: 4300 -
Wheelbase: 124 in
Length: 218.9 in
Width: 79.8 in
Related: Edsel Corsair, Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, Mercury Montclair, Mercury Monterey
Designer: Roy Brown Jr.

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1287704CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel_CitationCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1353304424 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edsel_Citation_Convertible_1958.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.