The Edsel is widely regarded as the costliest new car failure of the 20th Century. It was conceived by the brain trust at FOMOCO who felt there was a market for a fourth corporate brand (besides Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln). Their research was no doubt flawed and the timing poor – the launch in 1958 was during an economic downturn that took a toll on all new car sales. This 1958 Edsel is the mid-range Villager wagon and is one of fewer than 2,300 assembled that fateful year. In the same family for 50 years, this non-running classic is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,000 in Bellevue, Nebraska.
Ford put on a full-court press to roll out the Edsel in 1958. Besides the sales-hindering factors mentioned above, it didn’t help that the Edsel wasn’t a particularly attractive car. The “horse collar” grille was its most infamous feature, which they toned down in 1959. But the handwriting was on the wall by 1959, and the company pulled the plug on the brand just weeks into the 1960 model year, when the cars were more Ford-like than ever. 118,000 cars in three years were fewer than Ford had planned on.
This 1958 Villager, which has only had two owners, is powered by an “E-400” V8 from Ford’s FE engine arsenal. It displaces 361 cubic inches and was rated at 303 hp. The odometer reading of this wagon is 53,500 miles and could be legit since the car has been in storage for many years. It has the Edsel’s famous push-button automatic transmission with the controls in the center of the steering wheel (used for only one year).
We’re told the wagon will start, but it’s been hanging out for too long to be driven in its current state. The body and paint look okay, especially when cleaned up. The interior doesn’t look bad either. I could do without the aftermarket wire wheels, as they seem out of place here. The seller says that health reasons force the sale of this Edsel, which is a sad reality that hits a lot of vintage car owners after a time. Our thanks to “Zappenduster” for another great tip.
I really like the unique design of these cars, despite what the majority of the world seems to think. The speedometer, for example. Is there any other car with a design like that?
Closest thing to that speedometer is probably the Studebaker “Cyclops Eye”.
https://www.weirduniverse.net/blog/comments/the_cyclops_eye_speedometer
(The article above indicates that Citroen also had a drum speedometer in some models.)
The 1966 Olds Toronado had a similar setup but the drum rotated vertically instead of horizontally.
https://www.thelastdetail.com/galleria_images/705/705_p40_l.jpg
Thanks AMC guy! I loved the old Studebaker advertising. The clown people?
It seems to me that there were several cars in the 30’s with drum-type speedometers
In junior high school there was a girl,Nancy Fleek,
who’s mother drove one of these wagons that was in
really great shape.It was light Green.
This car would be awesome cleaned up , polished or repainted . Rebuild the motor and trans . Replace if necessary. Rebuild the brakes and suspension with state of the art parts. New interior, This thing would draw crowds from miles away.
Martha Stewart drives one of these
https://share.google/6VlN1q6zyAGY4tkcq
True, Martha’s is the 2-door variant called the Roundup, one of the rarest of the 58s.
Nice writeup Russ, thanks..
Even though the body pretty dusty, it looks like it’s in really decent condition for a 68 year old car. I’ve got to admit, those boomerang taillights look pretty good on this. They’ve got an edgy look to them. But they need to put the original tires and rims back on it. These definitely don’t look good at all.
really cool looking for sure. got to hope that tele type trans controls are good. body/interior look decent. it is a wagon which is a +. some cash and a trailer and your good.
Good luck finding parts.$15,000? Too many zeros.
To the best of my knowledge the reason this line of cars flopped is mainly cause they are so very dog ugly! if there are some folks that like the look of it,
Then I think their eyesight is questionable, please no one take it personal it’s just my take on this behemoth boat anchor!.
I have a son who is driving age. I wound up getting him in a good car last year. But dangit I really wish I could have seen this a year ago. I’d love to have to make him drive to school in this!! It would not even fit in a parking spot at his school.
That, or you buy it and make it the best looking Halloween car ever!!
Hmm, those Wires almost appear to be aftermarket screw-on wheel dressings attached to aftermarket chrome steel rims. If so and if the Rims are 14″, a set of correct 58 Wheelcovers might pop right on once the funky ‘wire basket’ dressings are removed…
What a lovely car, I would like to own.