1958 Edsel Bermuda Station Wagon
Produced only in 1958, the Edsel Bermuda was a station wagon model that was part of Edsel’s first lineup of vehicles. Edsel was the new mid-priced brand Ford introduced to compete against General Motors and Chrysler. The Bermuda was the most luxurious of Edsel’s three station wagons, which also included the Villager and Roundup models.
The Bermuda came as a 4-door wagon with seating for six or nine passengers. The nine-passenger version had a unique rear-facing third row seat. All Bermudas featured Edsel’s now infamous vertical “horse collar” grille design on the front, which was quite controversial at the time.
The body styling also incorporated woodgrain trim on the side panels, extending from the front fenders all the way to the tailgate. This simulated woodgrain was popular on high-end wagons in the 1950s.
Under the hood, the Bermuda had a standard E400 5.9L V8 engine producing 303 horsepower. For more power, a 6.7L V8 generating 345 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque was available as an option. These E475 engines were named for their high torque rating.
The standard transmission was a three-speed manual, but most Bermudas had the optional three-speed automatic controlled by buttons on the steering wheel hub. This “Teletouch” automatic offered a high-tech convenience feature.
Unfortunately, Edsel sales including the Bermuda wagon were very poor. This stemmed from a combination of the late 1950s recession, the controversial styling cues like the vertical grille, and some quality control issues that plagued most Edsels. As such, very few Bermuda wagons were ultimately produced.
Today, the 1958 Bermuda is highly collectible because of its rarity, unique design, and place in history as part of the failed Edsel brand launch. It represents one of the more infamous product marketing miscalculations. Ford gambled on a new mid-tier brand but stumbled in the execution, timing and styling.
For auto historians and collectors, surviving examples of 1958 Edsel Bermudas are difficult to find because so few were made. Those that have been well-preserved often draw significant interest and prices at classic car auctions.
They represent an interesting chapter of American automotive styling and brand marketing, as well as a cautionary tale about reading customer preferences before large-scale product launches.
Credit: Mecum
