Edsel Fords 120 Birthday

[SGT in Ont.]

Happy 120th, Edsel Ford


While Detroit and the world celebrated the 150th anniversary of Henry Ford’s birth this year, we’ve seen no mention of today’s 120th anniversary of the birth of the man perhaps most responsible for ensuring the continued existence of Henry Ford’s Ford Motor Company: his son, Edsel Bryant Ford, born on this date in 1893.

Henry and Clara Ford’s only child, Edsel was groomed to follow in his father’s footsteps, with a childhood education that focused on drafting and engineering. Indeed, he went to work alongside his father directly out of high school and in 1917 took a seat on the company’s board of directors; however, his views on automobiles contrasted sharply with his father’s. Where Henry Ford saw the automobile as a purely functional device, a tool for the common man to use, Edsel Ford believed that its form and aesthetics mattered just as much as its mechanical aspects – a view that his father saw as frivolous and extravagant.

Nevertheless, Edsel Ford’s influence – Henry appointed him president of Ford in 1919 – resulted in Ford’s purchase of Lincoln in 1922, led the Ford Motor Company to replace the aging Model T with the smartly designed Model A, brought about Ford’s own design studio in response to GM’s Art and Colour studio (and by doing so engaging the talents of designers like E.T. “Bob” Gregorie and John Tjaarda), and birthed the Mercury division in 1938, not to mention the Continental nameplate the following year. Along the way, he also commissioned a number of one-off cars – including his 1934 speedster, below, and his dual-cowl Model A phaeton – that today could be considered some of the world’s earliest concept cars.

Edsel Ford's Restored 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster
Photo courtesy Ford Media.

Each of those moves not only came from Edsel’s appreciation and encouragement of automobile design, they also kept Ford Motor Company relevant in an American automobile market increasingly obsessed with annual redesigns, broader color selections, comfort and style. Had it not been for Edsel Ford’s insights, Ford would have still dominated the world automotive market with the Model T, but Henry Ford likely would have held on to the Tin Lizzie far past its expiration date until his entire empire soured around him.

While Edsel Ford died before his father – on May 26, 1943, at the age of 49 – and had absolutely nothing to do with the commercial flop that bore his name years later, he did leave behind yet another assurance of Ford’s continued success: his family, including his son, Henry Ford II, who led Ford Motor Company from 1945 to 1979, and his grandson, William Clay Ford Jr., who has led Ford Motor Company since 1999.

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[jrelliott]

Good summary of Edsel Ford. Been reading "World of Wheels" a history of the Ford company. Henry went out of his way to counter Edsel's ideas to try to toughen up his son, luckly he let Edsel work on the Lincoln design which carried over to the Model A then later vehicles after appearance was considered a selling factor.

[SHEC]

Nothing more need be said other than - thank God for Edsel Ford if you truly care for the company and it's existence today. The fine eye and gifted talent of Edsel brought out the most from this mechanically strong company started by the tenacious genius Mr.Henry.

It has often been said that Henry drove his son to an early grave, much speculation there, but it was the finesse that Edsel brought to the car line that kept them relevant and in the game. Too bad father and son did not share more together, but I believe it was the individual strength and genius of both men that brought us the cars we enjoy yet today.

I wish that Edsel had lived longer but it was not meant to be. His legacy came out in his sons work and we are driving T's, A's, 32's, 36's, 40's, and T- Birds, Mustangs and trucks because of them all. A proud Irish family that overall has "done good" indeed.

Happy Birthday Mr. Edsel Ford. Thank you for your contribution to my '30 Deluxe Coupe - "Annie".

SHEC

[rprice]

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Edsel Ford was a class act. Far classier than his father. If it weren't for Edsel, we might not have a Ford Motor Co. today.
Happy 120th birthday and rest in peace.
Rog