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?
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.