The Ford Edsel is perhaps as notorious for it inefficiencies as for its beauty. The release of the Edsel in 1957 was incredibly important in the history of American car making because it dictated the course of car design (and continues to do so today). Despite the infamous failures of the Edsel, it has an unmistakable design that draws many classic car fans to it still.

In the 1950s, cars were big and, frankly, inefficient. By the end of the decade, consumers were expecting a new, radical look that would change the way they thought about cars. Indeed, the marketing and advertising for the Edsel proved just that. Before the release, secrecy was so important that dealerships were fined if they showed the car before the official release date. When consumers saw that the Edsel was not a radically new car (although its design was uncommon), interest sagged.

It was a classic study in mismanagement and missed expectations. Ford thought that the public wanted big and bulky cars in 1958, but the reality was that consumers' tastes were changing. Soon, the era of the small and compact Volkswagen Beetle would dominate the design of cars for the next decade. Ford took a big financial hit with the Edsel, and it was a lesson no auto manufacturer ever forgot.

Time has a way of healing wounds, and in the case of the Edsel, time has reinvigorated interest in this famous automobile. Edsel fan clubs are as popular today as they have ever been. The market for other models, like the Edsel Ranger and Edsel Corsair, have ridden this popularity to the present day.