Volume XLVI, Issue 1

Edsel Owners Club Inc. January 2014 T HE B IG E

Bledsoe Motor Company: One Dealer’s Story (Part One)

Written by Jonathan Fox

Fords’ “Smart Car for Growing America” was sold at approximately 1,500 dealerships throughout North America and Europe. In August 2013, I had the special privilege of meeting with one of these dealers, Mr. M. C. “Sonny” Bledsoe, III. Mr. Bledsoe, one of the last surviving dealers in the country, kindly recounted his experiences with Bledsoe Motor Company nearly sixty years ago. The following account highlights just one individuals story—a story that could easily apply to countless men and women across the country who fell into hardship after Fords’ $250 million experiment. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Bledsoe Motor 1 Company Dealer Story

Editor’s 2 Message

Bledsoe Story 3 continued EOC National 4—5 Edsel meet agenda and registration

Registration for 6 Laughlin Nevada regional event

Calendar of 7 Events and wel- come new mem- bers In July 1957, residents of Shreveport, LA had their first introduction to the Edsel when broth- ers William Raines Bledsoe (above left) and Matthew Colquitt Bledsoe Jr.(above center) met with Peter Nunez (above right), the zone manager from Fords New Orleans district office. Green Line Edsel 8-9 The Shreveport Times published an article featuring the Bledsoe brothers who had just Action Ads signed their Edsel dealership contract with Ford.

About The Edsel 10 Bledsoe Motor Company was among the first dozen or so dealers to be authorized by Ford— Owners Club early enough for Ford to feature the Bledsoe brothers in corporate literature to encourage

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Hello Edsel Folks!

My name is David Fleischer from Utah. For those of you who do not know me, I am 52 years old and have been an active Edsel enthusiast for 40 years.

On my 12th birthday, I received some money as a gift and I walked about a block to the neighborhood Rexall Pharmacy and purchased a game in their small toy department. The game was called, “Dealers Choice”. In this game there was a deck of cards with pictures of cars on them. One card had a picture of a 1959 . This picture gave me a flashback to the early 1960’s, when I was a little boy, when I would occasion- ally see an Edsel on the streets. I had forgotten about them until I saw this picture.

I went to the library to do some research on and fell madly in love and have been hooked on Edsels ever since, and I bought my first Edsel when I was 14 and bought another one when I was 15. I was a news- paper boy at the time and used my earnings to buy these Edsels. Since then, I have owned about twenty

Edsels and right now have seven in my collection, five of them which are currently registered and driven.

As your new editor, it is my goal to provide an informative and entertaining newsletter to deal with the chal- lenges of owning and maintaining an Edsel. However, I cannot accomplish this alone. In this issue is part one of a two part story on the Bledsoe Family who ran an Edsel dealership in Shreveport, Louisiana. The story and photos were graciously provided by fellow member Jonathan Fox. This is just the thing I need — from the members of this club — sharing your research findings on Edsel dealers in your towns, sharing historical information about Edsels, discovery of any Edsel “barn finds”, etc.

Also, please share any technical tips on restoring and repairing Edsels and please do ask for help if you are encountering difficulties in your restoration efforts and finding parts. I will post your questions and problems here and hopefully others in the club, who have experienced similar situations, can respond and give advice on dealing with these challenges related to Edsel ownership.

Included in this issue of the Big E is the registration form for the annual Laughlin event which will take place on May 1 - 4, 2014

Tentative plans have been laid out for the EOC 2014 National Meet which will take place in Dayton, Ohio from July 30 to August 3 this year. The plans and the registration form are included in this issue of the Big E.

One last thing - I regret to announce the passing of a long time member of the club, Neil Bradley. He passed away in Owensboro, KY on November 19, 2013 at the age of 57.

David Fleischer

Your Edsel-Editor From the From Editor’s Desk! Volume XLVI, Issue 1 Page 3

(Bledsoe story continued from page 1) other dealers to join the new Edsel division.

The Bledsoe brothers were veterans of the automotive industry having operated a successful Nash franchise in Shreveport since 1939. Their dealership at 1401 Texas Avenue was truly a family affair: no fewer than five members of the Bledsoe family worked there in various capacities as president, vice president, manager, and secretary. As director of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, M. C. Bledsoe Jr. undoubtedly weighed the risks of foregoing his DeSoto-Plymouth franchise (which had replaced his earlier Nash franchise) by signing on with the new Edsel division. After careful consideration (and in light of the imminent closures of the Nash and DeSoto brands), the Bledsoes concluded the Edsel was “the greatest automotive opportunity in many years.” However, this opportunity later proved disastrous - and tragic - for the Bledsoe family.

Troubles at Bledose Motor Company began with their very first shipment of Edsels. “Sonny” Bledsoe (the subject of the present article) surmises that the driver who unloaded the cars was probably unfamiliar with the arrangement of the Teletouch buttons. As such, one of the brand new Edsels fell from the top of the double-decker car hauler. Unbeknownst to the Bledsoes, this mishap was definitely a sign of things to come.

On Wednesday, September 4, 1957, Shreveport residents (some of which had lined the sidewalk of the dealership as early as 5:00 a.m.) caught their first glimpses of the highly anticipated car. The Bledsoes cordially invited the public to the showroom floor to see what had been hidden behind the papered plate glass windows. Music and refreshments were also on hand for those who attended the E-Day festivities. A mischievous teenager, though, helped himself to a set of keys resting in the ignition of one of the display models in the Bledsoe showroom. This was most certainly a source of consternation for the Bledsoes who were in the midst of launching their new venture. As well as the dealership, new Edsels were also displayed at Selber Brothers (one of Shreve- port’s popular downtown department stores) and at the 1957 State Fair of Louisiana held in Shreveport that October.

(A photo presumably from the 1957 Louisiana State Fair held in Shreveport (October 1957). Note Sonny Bledsoe on stage as well as the Edsel pennants and banners. A new Corsair is barely visible among the crowd.)

Sonny Bledsoe recalls that despite the looks of the “toilet seat” grille, the cars sold well the first month. However, Edsel sales across the nation dropped after the initial flurry of the introduction. Sonny soon learned a life lesson when it comes to owning and operating a dealership: “Do not trust the manufacturers.” He recalled, “The Edsel was supposed to be a ‘new-world’ car but was only a with a different grille.”

(To be continued in the March 2014 issue of the Big E)

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46th ANNUAL EDSEL OWNERS CLUB CONVENTION DAYTON, OHIO July 30 – August 3, 2014

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 9:00 AM Registration Desk and Hospitality Room open Craft Sale – Raffle Tickets – Model Car Contest (Bring Craft Items to Sell) Touring on your own

Thursday, July 31, 2014 9:00 AM Registration Desk and Hospitality Room open

9:00 AM Bus Tour – United States Air Force Museum – Oldest & largest military aviation museum in the world. Exhibits include over 300 aircraft, Missiles, and aeronautical displays. Presidential Aircraft Hanger Includes the Air Force One used by Presidents Kennedy through Clinton and fighter-jets, as well as the new NASA Space Shuttle Crew Compartment Trainer. Lunch at the Spaghetti Warehouse Museum – Admire in this original 1930’s Showroom. See a restored service area. The museum houses the world’s largest collection of “Packard only” Automobiles Carillon Historical Park – The 28,000 square foot Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship joints the 30 historical buildings spread across the 65 acre campus devoted to history, heritage and progress. The highlight of the park is an original 1905 Wright Flyer III biplane, the world’s first practical airplane, designed and flown by the Wright Brothers, Dayton-made cash registers, train cars, automobile and bicycles.

7:00 PM Social get together Funny Money Auction to Follow (Don’t forget to bring items for the Funny Money Auction)

Friday, August 1, 2014 9:00 AM Registration Desk and Hospitality Room open

9:00 AM Judging of Cars Begins (You must be a member of the Edsel Owners Club to have your car judged)

9:30 AM EOC Board Meeting

2:00 PM EOC General Membership Meeting

7: 00 PM Parts and Edsel-Related Items Auction (Bring Items for sale by 6:30 PM)

Saturday, August 2, 2014 9:00 AM Hospitality Room open

10:00 AM Edselcade to the Blad Boys Custom Hot Rod Designers – Approximately 60 cars on display

6:00 PM Awards Banquet

Sunday, August 3, 2014 9:00 AM Breakfast on your own and Goodbyes

Volume XLVI, Issue 1 Page 5

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Volume XLVI, Issue 1 Page 7 Edsel Calendar of Events We need your Edsel photos for the 2015 Calendar! Please submit a picture either 4x6 or 5x7 .....with a nice background setting. Digital photos are fine. Color cop- ies of a photo do not reproduce well. Send to Jeannine Phipps 2500 NE 187th Ave Vancouver, WA 98684 e-mail [email protected] or send to Lois Roth 1740 NW 3rd St Gresham, OR 97030 e-mail [email protected]

We need to know what the local chapters are doing, let us know if there is anything in your area that deserves to be noted in this calendar. Email your event info to [email protected]

May 1 – 4: Rolling to The River, 7th Annual Regional Meet in Laughlin, Nevada. See page 6

July 30—August 3: National EOC Meet in Dayton, Ohio See pages 4 and 5 2014 EOC Membership Dues are due! This will be your LAST newsletter unless your dues are paid.

WELCOME NEW EOC MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 2014: MEMBERS! WATCH THE SPEEDOMETER CLIMB! Doug Knight - WA Calvin Copeland Jr -WV Roger & Pat Wellenkamp - IL Steve Edwards - FL Dewey & Maribel Lineberry - TN Ron Ellman - PA William Baker - VT Roselle Crow - CO Doug Shackles - MO Dan Davis - NV Frank Waraksa - OH Richard Zimmerman - IL The Big E Page 8

E DSEL A CTION A DS contact - Clifford and/or Sally Hummer, 6816 Chickering Road,Fort Worth, Texas 76116 Ads in the Green Line are free to members. $10 ph: 817 304 4026, email: [email protected] (2) fee to non-members. They will be run for 3 issues, (note: photo sent to editor shows a very solid look- on a space available basis. Ads should be kept to ing car sitting inside a barn or shed) 35 words or less and sent to:

Green Line Action Ads 1959 4 DR SD, . No power steering David Fleischer or power brakes. V8 engine, 44,000 actual miles. 1156 North 350 West Very nice condition. Garaged in winters. Parts car Centerville, Utah 84014 included. $7,000. Contact Marie Pierce 218-440- 1230 or 218-969-1698 Hibbing, MN (2) or (note: photo sent to editor shows this car to be in Email me at: [email protected] EXCELLENT condition)

EDSELS FOR SALE PARTS & LITERATURE MEMORABILIA FOR SALE

1958 2 DR HT Complete Super Express 303HP V8 (E400) and W8EG 700928 63B KNN T O1H 4 A Dual Power Setup. This is an engine/transmission package deal including 79,000, Loaded with options-needs complete res- everything from air cleaner to oil pan and from fan toration (some rust) Believed to be a PRESS CAR blade to transmission. Motor runs fine. Entire set for National Press Introduction on August 26 - 28, up for $950. Located in SE MN, may be able deliv- 1957 -see Love-Fords.org for details. SERIOUS Buy- er for gas money. Mike Erickson, ers , $5,000 Inquiries Roland Houde @978-685- [email protected] (1) 2641 Eastern Standard Time 8 am - 6 pm [email protected] (4) Edsel literature for sale: '59 owners manual, original, excellent cond. $ 65 1959 Edsel Ranger 2 DR Needs motor and '60 owners manual, original, fair cond $25 transmission, but has very good body $2,500. Bill '60 Sales brochure, new-nifty-thrifty-good cond Yelton Lawrenceburg, IN 513-218-5406 Delivery $25 (dealer stamp on cover) Available '60 Sales pamphlet, 70 reasons to go Edsel in '60 $7 1959 Edsel Ranger 4 DR SD, 6cyl ONE OWN- '60 Maintenance manual $25 ER Vin#A9UF740950. Standard transmission. 7"x9-1/2" '60 Edsel colors and upholsteries 4,000 miles on rebuilt engine. In storage for over 3 ring binder...Binder only, no contents $20 25 yrs. Probably fair condition. Does not run at pre- Contact John Anderson 928-517-8137 Fountain sent time. It is a great car just waiting to be re- Hills, AZ [email protected] (2) stored. Best Offer Located in Brock, Texas, please Volume XLVI, Issue 1 Page 9

I have a lot of parts for a 59 Edsel that I need to Rear Window Rubber Seal (New) 1959 Edsel 2/4 sell. A complete front end of 2 fenders, hood and Door Sdn/Hrdtp $130.00 each. Add $15.00 ship- 3 grills with all the trim. Also 3 instrument clus- ping/ins. Dave Houchin, 145 William Bartram ters, tail light lens, a big plastic container full with Drive, Crescent City, FL 32112. rubber parking light housing and lots of other things. I'm asking $600 for everything." 1958-1960 Edsel Fuel Pumps. Have 6 Cyl and 8 Contact Jim White Dallas, TX, phone: 214-363- Cyl pumps for vacuum and electrical wiper models. 4632, email:[email protected] (2) Factory rebuilt. Contact Blaise Kendzioiski, 1408 S.

Wenona, Bay City, Michigan 48706, 989-892- DVD’s for sale ---1998 EOC Convention in Dear- born Includes 38 Edsels on the Ford Test Track, 2652. Roy Brown’s “How we designed it” presentation, EDSEL/EDSEL PARTS WANTED/TRADE Edsel intro to Ford management, TV ad, Edsels on Vacation and Edsel crash tests. Runs about 4 WANTED—1959 Ranger Front and Rear BUMPERS hours. $20 Reg Brown at reg- for my 59 Ranger. I don't need show quality, just [email protected] 843-693-3331 (3) everyday driver. “Location in the South West would help” Contact Ivan Korneychuk ,1200 Pueblo Dr. GOLD PLATED CLASSIC KEYS & N.O.S. (Original) Lake Havasu AZ 86406 [email protected] (1) KEYS for all Edsels and Ford models. Many of those hard to find keys and lock cylinders. Keys WANTED—1959 Ranger seat cloth in black, either cut by code, please inquire with year and model. new or good used. Need enough to redo both front JESSER’S CLASSIC KEYS, 26 West Street, Dept and back seat. Contact Peter D. LaChapelle 19 EOC, Akron, OH 44303, Phone 330-376-8181 * Union St, Salem, MA 01970-5109 Ph: 978-744- 24 hr FAX 330-384-9129 VISA 9198 email [email protected] (2) ______Pacer NOS chain link seat material, red and brown. Also have some rib cloth and silver welt. 2014 EOC Calendars Contact Jerry Lasseigne, 300 Coulon Rd., If you want extra copies of the 2014 EOC Thibodaux, LA 70301, PH: 985-446-6487. Calendars please contact Lois Roth 503- 492-0878 or [email protected] Edsel parts; new, used & rebuilt, 1000’s in stock, $15.00 each includes shipping parts list with SASE. Jerry Lasseigne, 300 Coulon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rd, Thibodaux, LA 70301, PH:985-446-6487 Edsel Owners License Plate frame They are $20.00 each plus $5.00 shipping US. Get your E.O.C. “Horse collar” key chains! All Canada and International would be $10.00 ship- funds benefit the Edsel Owners Club. Only $7.00 ping. Make check payable to EOC, 1740 NW 3rd each. Contact: Jeannine Phipps at 360-892-8943 St Gresham, OR 97030 contact info: email: [email protected] Lois Roth 503-492-0878 e-mail [email protected]

Reproduction appliqué plates, hood ornaments and bumper guard pads. Contact Jerry Lasseigne, 300 Coulon Rd., Thibodaux, LA 70301, PH: 985- 446-6487

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Edsel Owners Club Inc.

Edsel Owners Club Editor David Fleischer 1156 North 350 West Centerville, UT 84014 Text: 801-698-9035 email: [email protected] Mailing Address Line 1 Mailing Address Line 2 Mailing Address Line 3 We’re on the web at Mailing Address Line 4 www.edselclub.org Mailing Address Line 5

Edsel Owners Club Inc. The “BIG E” is the official publication of the Edsel Owners Club. The Club is dedicated to the preserva- tion of the Edsel, with mem- bers in all walks of life help- ing each other in their labor President - George Foran, 1614 Wilcox St, [email protected] (952) 884-3091 of love. The “BIG E” is edit- Crest Hill, IL 60403. [email protected] 815- Historian - Mike Hinsch, Or-E-gon Chapter, 31010 ed and published by Mike 919-3570 NW North Avenue, North Plains, OR 97133-6145, Hinsch. The Edsel Owner’s [email protected] 503-647-5376 Club, Inc. was founded by Past President - Founders: Edsel Henry Ford, Perry E. Vice President - Regions - Carolyn Fakeley, Prai- Piper, Michael Read and rie Chapter #97 53051 Range Rd. 211, Edsel Henry Ford, b.1925—d. 2013 David Sinclair and was in- Ardrossan, AB Canada T8G 2C6. Perry Piper - b.1911- d.1999 corporated as a non-profit [email protected] 780-922-3777 Mike Read - b.1943 - d.2005 organization under the laws Treasurer - Lois Roth, Or-E-gon Chapter, 1740 David Sinclair, Eagle, ID [email protected] of the State of Illinois on NW 3rd St., Gresham, OR 97030, (208) 939-5534 [email protected] February 3rd, 1969. Annu- Other Contacts: 503-492-0878 al membership dues: Unit- Webmaster - Greg Corcoran - Columbine Chapter ed States $35 ($25 if Big E Secretary - Maye Gulley, Heart of America Chap- is received by email), Cana- ter, PO Box 587, DeSoto, KS 66018-0587 da $40 (US Funds)($30 if [email protected] 913-583-1822 Big E Publication Dates Big e is received by email) , Vice President - Chapters - Kathye Higdem, 9211 January, March, May, July, all others $45 (US Portland Ave S., Bloomington, MN 55420-3839. Funds)($35 if Big E is re- [email protected] 952-884-3091 September, November and Vice President Membership - Jeannine Phipps, ceived by email) per year. Calendar Issue. Of this amount $30 is ap- Or-E-gon Chapter, 2500 NE 187th Ave., Vancou- plied as an annual sub- ver, WA 98684, [email protected] Copy deadline is 30 days prior to 360-892-8943 scription to “The Big E”, the above publication dates. official club publication. All Public Relations - "Shamrock" Shelley Cleaver, North Texas Chapter, 35998 US Highway 69 N, dues should be forwarded Submit copy and pictures to: Jacksonville, Texas 75766-7578, to the club treasurer, Lois David Fleischer Roth. An Associate Mem- 903-586-4311 bership (someone presiding Big E/Greenline Editor– David Fleischer, 1156 1156 North 350 West North 350 West, Centerville, Utah 84014, in the same household) is Centerville, Utah 84014 available for $15. [email protected] Head Judge - Carroll "Higgie" Higdem, [email protected]