Various and Sundry

Here are some oddball things that don't conveniently fit elsewhere.  They could probably be made to fit elsewhere, but the staff here at Edsel Promo Time is too lazy to do this.

The initial run of the 1958 turquoise and white hardtops came in a custom green-and-white Edsel box, with the  "In the medium- priced field  .  .  ." bit emblazoned on it.  This rather awkward slogan was propogated throughout the initial Edsel media blitz.

Now for the chassis:  the green-boxed turquoise and white hardtops had the "Medium-price field" slogan (note that here it's "Price" and not "Priced") printed on the chassis.

This same message is seen occasionally on the chassis of other Edsel colors. It is not known if this is because
(a) AMT just used whatever was on hand when making these things (quite likely),
(b) certain other colors were designated to carry this message (possibly), and/or
(c) various promo owners along the way have swapped out chassis, as is done with other parts.  We know THIS happens!

The pink and white HT just up to the right not only has the chassis slogan, but, according to the owner, came with the green box as well.

Exhibit 2

More 58 chassis esoterica:  to your right is a very attractive 58 HT promo.  Fine.  Now, look at picture of its chassis below.

Definitely a different shape than we're used to!  And, of course, 'tis interesting that it has the imprint of the SMP (Scale Model Products) Co. on it.

SMP represented some corporate sleight of hand by AMT, who wanted to offer similar products to automotive competitors without the appearance of being in conflict with other clients.  In 1956, AMT was primarily contracted to Ford Motor Company and their products.  AMT wanted to land some business from General Motors; however, GM didn't want their products to carry the same labeling as those from Ford.  So, AMT cooked up SMP.  Same factory, same address, same packaging, just a different name - and, in at least some cases, a different chassis style.  (Note, though, that this type of chassis is known with an AMT imprint.)

This arrangement lasted until about December 1959, when AMT became the industry leader and the car companies no longer cared who produced their scale model toys.

Many thanks to Phil Skinner for this illumination!

On to 1960.  Here's a nice convertible in Sherwood Green Metallic.  Ah, but the chassis .  .  .  

Yes, a PLASTIC chassis!  This is the indicator of a true dealer promo for 1960 Edsels.  There are NOT many of these driving around.

Unfortunately, the plastic chassis provided much less support than the metal ones for the body.  The usual result is that over time, the sides of the body bow out and concurrently pull up over the chassis.  Not pretty!

Gadzooks!  A remote-controlled Edsel promo!  This hardtop, with a yellow body, gold scallops, and white top, is operated via an electric switch that allows it to go forward and backward.  With the push of an air button in the center of the control, it will turn left or right, too.  Note the odd chassis.

Also known in this remote-controlled configuration is a turquoise-and-white convertible; others may exist as well.

Verrrry interesting!  Check out this article from the fall 2003 edition of Model Car Journal Online, written by Clarence Young.  Cowl vents!  Sun visors!  Headlights!

Thanks to Jim Lutz for this info.

http://www.carhobby.com/MCJo1.htm