1958 EDSEL PACER "PRESS CAR" 2 DOOR HARDTOP - SOLID, LOADED, & VERY RARE!

1958 Edsel Pacer 2 Door Hardtop Additional Info:

This is THE Edsel!
This Edsel Pacer 2 door hardtop has been VIN verified by members of the International Edsel Club as being an official 1-of-75 "Press Car" actually used for the national press unveiling of the infamous Edsel in August of 1957 (a photo of the event is included in the pictures). This particular car was then given to a member of the press to drive to his home territory.Due to the fact that this is a press car it came heavily equipped; this one even includes the ultra rare Dial-Temp Heater/Air Conditioner which only 13 of the press cars had.This car is believed to be the press car driven by Harold Monroe for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and has also been said to have been owned by “Billie Sol Estes”, an infamous associate of President Lyndon Johnson that even made the cover of Time Magazine.Remaining press cars are exceedingly rare; I'm only aware of this car (which appears to be the most heavily equipped), one in a private collection out east, and another one in a museum out west. You'll be hard pressed to find another Edsel with this kind of history and included equipment... a chance at buying this car is a rare, rare opportunity.
Current Condition:
The car was repainted with a beautiful original Edsel “Spruce Green” color in the 70's or 80's, but "Spring Green" is its actual original color. Although still a head turner as it rolls down the road it's due for a paint job as there are cracks / peeling. With the exception of some filler on the other side of the body behind the rear license plate this car appears to be very, very solid. The "magnet test" never revealed any major issues to me. With the exception of a small "flat spot" in the carb during acceleration the car runs / drives / stops well. (The carb appears to be a very rare / early production model but don't quote me on that.) The chrome isn't perfect but looks great, is shiny, and presents well. The odometer shows the mileage to be in the upper 60K's but is frozen so I'm not sure what the actual mileage is. I found a Christies auction listing for this car back in the early 2000's and the mileage was the same then as it is now. Based on the overall condition of the car it does not appear to be a high mileage car. The interior presents well; the seats appear to be original and although have some minor cracking here and there they look very good. The padded dash looks a bit "deflated" and could probably benefit from being redone. See pictures for better details.
Equipment (not all items are in operational order):

• Dial-Temp Heater/Air Conditioner
• Teletouch Automatic Transmission
• Town & Country Radio
• Power Antenna
• Rear Speaker
• Power Steering
• Power Seat
• Power Windows
• Power Lubricator (appears to need harness; lube can in photo is different from one currently in the car)
• Power Brakes
• Whitewall Tires
• Wheel Covers with Spinner
• Tinted Glass
• Padded Dash and Sun Visors
• Rocker PanelMoldings
• Speed Warning Light
• Open Door Warning Light
• Low Oil Warning Light (car came without correct dipstick when I purchased it)
• Low Fuel Warning Light
• Tachometer
• Electric Clock
• Electronic Trunk Release
• Windshield Wipers
• Windshield Washer
• Front Bumper Guards
• Rear Bumper Guards
• Cooling Fan with Correct Extra Blade for A/C
• Dual Exhaust (incomplete)
• Exhaust Deflectors
• Carpet
• Hooded Side Mirror
• No Glare Rear-View Mirror
• Courtesy Lights
• Back-Up Lights
• Engine Compartment Light
• Luggage Compartment Light
• Glove Box Light

Since I purchased the car in 2016 it's had the following things done:

• 5 new period correct tires with all 5 wheels being stripped and resprayed the correct "Spring Green" color
• Professional front end rebuild (using "Deluxe" kit from Kanter Auto)
• Professional alignment
• Professional tune-up
• Lower dash & steering wheel professionally stripped & resprayed factory correct colors
• Dented drivers side rear floor pan professionally removed and replaced with new factory correct floor pan (original pan was dented NOT rotted... remaining floor pans appear solid)
• New carpet
• New professionally painted kick panels (not installed yet)

Why am I selling it?
If I'm being honest, I'm not a motivated seller of this car. Owning this Edsel has been a dream come true. Over the last couple of years of owning it I've really come to appreciate that this is NOT an "average" Edsel (if there is such a thing LOL) and therefore deserves an extremely thorough and accurate restoration when it comes time... something I've painfully come to the conclusion that I don't have the time, money, and expertise to do. I COULD just take this car to MAACO and get a cheap respray, but it deserves better than that.Despite not being up for sale I've had several purchase offers on the car. A VERY favorable recent professional appraisal confirmed that the price guides don't really apply to this particular car due to its rarity, history, and equipment. When I "add all that up" I've decided that if I'm able to sell it for what it's supposedly worth (that + eBay fees is what I set the hidden reserve at) I'll sell it and take the money to put towards something that's more "done" or "in my wheelhouse". I'm POSITIVE that I'll never find anything nearly as exceptional as this car; with that in mind I'm in no hurry to sell it. If the auction doesn't reach the appraised value / reserve price my current plan is to hang on to it to enjoy this summer "as is" and possibly try again next year. If it sells, it sells. If it doesn't, it doesn't.
The fine details:
This car is being sold in "as in" condition; there is no expressed or implied warranty of any kind. The car is just over 60 years old so obviously not everything works and needs a love and TLC. I live close to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, so there's a big transportation hub with a lot of options nearby when it comes to getting / shipping the car. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Happy bidding!