Kelley Blue Book Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Edsel

Kbb.com Collector Car Market Editor and Automotive Historian Names Top 10 'Orphan' Cars

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 29 -- Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/) celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the day Ford Motor Company released the Edsel for sale to the general public, September 4, 2007. On November 19, 1959, just two years, two months and 15 days after the first Edsel was introduced to the American driver, it disappeared from the landscape. On that day, it joined more than 2,000 other vehicle brands that met with an abrupt demise.

"For years, the Edsel was the brunt of cheap jokes on television, in the magazines and even as part of some off-color jokes; but out of those ashes, people who own an Edsel have seen interest in the vehicle and its values rise like the Phoenix," said Phil Skinner, collector car market editor and automotive historian at Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "Today Edsel owners are very proud of their cars and some have even been financially rewarded."

While original prices for a new Edsel back in 1957 ranged between $2,500 -- $3,800, some Edsels have traded in collector circles for well above the $100,000 mark. In fact, a number of other American post-World War II "orphan" makes have also seen large increases in values due to their scarcity. Names that were once highly respected like Hudson, Nash or Desoto that lost their following and were discontinued, have seen their fortunes turn. Even a few cars that were barely able to get their feet off the ground, like the Kaiser, Fraser and Tucker, have today become crown jewels of the collector car market. Some of the most desirable models are those produced at the very end of their lives.

KELLEY BLUE BOOK'S TOP 10 "ORPHAN" VEHICLES

(All Kelley Blue Book vehicle values and ranges for collector care values are based on perfect condition).

  1948 Tucker '48 Torpedo Sedan
  Original MSRP $2,450
  Value 2007: $250,000 -- $450,000

Hailed as the most revolutionary car of the post-war era, it was surrounded by controversy from its very start. After a lengthy and costly court-battle, founder Preston Tucker was cleared on any criminal charges related to stock investment fraud. However, all of the millions he had raised to produce the car had been eaten away by legal fees. As a result, just 51 of these cars were produced and are today considered icons of the era and by many the ultimate orphan car to own.

  1957 Desoto Adventurer Convertible
  Original MSRP $4,272
  Kelley Blue Book Value 2007: $130,000 -- $180,000

With huge fins, flashy colors, bright trim and 345 cubic inches producing 345 horsepower under the hood, it was the epitome of the space-age-future America was looking for. Within four years, the Desoto brand was gone, but these cars remain a solid inspiration of a generation aiming for the moon. An estimated 500 of these cars were built that year and today are the most sought-after car of 1957.

  1958 Edsel Citation Convertible
  Original MSRP $3,800
  Kelley Blue Book Value 2007: $64,000 - $100,000

When Ford Motor Company brought out the Edsel in September 1957, it was to be a bright new future for those who sold the vehicle as well as for those who owned it. Besieged with quality issues, the name was tainted and it became an albatross for Ford. However, 50 years after its release, its unique styling and features, innovative for the time, have made this flagship of the marque, 'the' car to own.

  1953 Nash-Healey Roadster
  Original MSRP $4,063
  Kelley Blue Book Value 2007: $56,100

In the early 1950s, American car companies were looking to Europe for inspiration and the Nash-Healey was just that, with solid performance from an American in-line eight. Produced as a traffic-builder for dealerships and patterned after a class-winning Le Mans race car, there was limited appeal and only 506 built when production ceased in 1954.

  1958 Packard Hawk Coupe
  Original MSRP $3,995
  Kelley Blue Book Value 2007: $53,900

For many, the Packard died in 1956, but the name lived on for two more years in the form of gussied-up Studebakers. But there was one outstanding performer in the crowd, the Hawk, powered by a big V8 engine with a supercharger. Despite its power, its unique looks didn't appeal to buyers and with just 558 produced, it was the end of another prestigious American luxury automobile. Today, the Packard Hawk's power, Raymond Lowey-inspired design and legacy make it a very desirable car with values sure to continue in an upward trend.

  1981 Delorean DMC-12 Gullwing Coupe
  Original MSRP $29,500
  Kelley Blue Book Value 2007: $26,000

As with the first car on the list, the founder of this company was mired by a legal battle as well. While he was eventually cleared of all charges, he came to find that expensive legal bills and a loss of interest by the public had left many of his cars unsold. With unique styling, a stainless steel body, peppy performance and quality construction, these cars had appeal long after the three years they were produced. Recently, a prototype Delorean sold for $110,000, and collectors are starting to realize that these performers are more than just a prop to go 'Back to the Future' in, but are also a lot of fun to own and drive.

  1964 Studebaker Avanti Coupe
  Original MSRP $4,740
  Kelley Blue Book Value 2007: $24,100

Considered one of the most important styles ever, the Avanti was a beautiful example of a last gasp effort. Styled by Raymond Lowey and company, this car's every line was perfect. While the company was hitting the skids, Avanti was on the Salt Flats setting record speeds. Current values put these cars at about a 40 percent increase just in the last five years. As more people turn to these original Avanti coupes, values should be ahead of the rest of the collector-car pack.

  1957 Hudson Hollywood Hardtop
  Original MSRP $3,030
  Kelley Blue Book Value 2007: $17,500

Lots of chrome and tri-tone pastel paint schemes were the hallmarks of the Hollywood Hardtops, but it was a little bit too much, too late. This would mark the last year of this long-standing and well-respected name, but that didn't mean these last cars were short-changed. A new modern V8 engine could be found under the hood, and the Hudson had the highest percentage of cars equipped with factory air-conditioning in the industry. Today's value of $17,500 is still a bargain compared to convertibles, as more people discover the stylish designs for this era, prices can easily double in the very near future.

  1953 Kaiser Dragon Sedan
  Original MSRP $3,924
  Kelley Blue Book Value 2007: $15,100

Born in 1947, Kaiser was known for style, both inside and out. When the new 1951 models started to look a little dated and funds were too low to produce a new model, the use of exotic materials, such as bamboo vinyl roof coverings and simulated "dragon" skin interiors, were applied with ample amounts of chrome in an attempt to woo new customers. Unfortunately, all of America's independents were hurting and this last ditch effort wasn't enough. With collectors looking for something new and different, this model fills that bill, which is sure to drive prices up in a hurry.

  1960 AMC Metropolitan convertible
  Original MSRP $1,749
  Kelley Blue Book Value 2007: $12,300

This is another example of a marriage between the American and British automotive worlds. Produced in England by Austin, these cars carried the basic styling theme of the American Nash, by which it was originally marketed. However, by the early 1960s, other imports were achieving more sales at a lower price, forcing the Metropolitan out of the marketplace. As more and more people look to early compact and economy vehicles, these are sure to go up in value, possibly doubling in price within the next five years.

Kelley Blue Book produces the biannual Official Guide for Early Model Cars, which includes the values of collector vehicles from 1946 to 1987. For more information on collector car values, call 1-800-BLUE-BOOK.

About Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/sitemap)

Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource(R), has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book(R) Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book(R) Official Guide. Kbb.com is rated the No. 1 automotive information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and the most visited auto site by J.D. Power and Associates eight years in a row. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com; nearly one in every three American car buyers performs their research on http://www.kbb.com/.