Edsel Citation History

The Citation was the flagship of the 1958 Edsel range, built on the 124-inch-wheelbase Mercury Monterey/Montclair body and priced from $3,500 to $3,766 — the most expensive Edsel offered. It came standard with Edsel's big 'E-475' engine: a 410-cubic-inch V8 named for its 475 lb-ft of torque (rather than its cubic-inch displacement) and rated at around 345 horsepower. The Citation also showcased the brand's most talked-about gadgetry — the Teletouch push-button automatic transmission operated from the center of the steering wheel hub, a rotating 'cyclops-eye' drum speedometer, and aircraft-inspired dashboard warning lights.

In practice the Teletouch proved unreliable: wiring routed near the exhaust manifold caused erratic shifting, and owners complained loudly. Quality-control problems across the Edsel line — a consequence of sharing assembly lines with Ford and Mercury while requiring different tooling — gave the Citation a reputation for poor fit and finish that undermined its premium positioning. The Citation was dropped entirely after its single model year when Ford retreated from the Mercury-based senior-car segment. Citation convertibles are among the most collectible Edsel configurations.