Ah, the Edsel. The car that the Ford Motor Company wished had never existed. I can’t help but feel a little sorry for former Ford CEO, Henry Ford II. I mean, how would you like having your father’s first name be synonymous with such a colossal failure? I’ll admit that the 1958 Edsel was “out there” in regards to styling, hype, and the promise of being a game changer. Its failure caused a lot of “Maalox Moments” within the walls of the Ford Motor Company and left the bewildered Styling Department scrambling for a second act with a next-to-nothing budget. I’ve mentioned in previous articles that my Aunt Lucy and Uncle Harry owned a ’59 Edsel 4-Door Ranger in this same color combination (Snow White and President Red). They loved their Edsel, drove it for a decade, and had it mentioned at both of their funerals. Everyone in our family fondly remembers Lucy and Harry’s white and red ’59 Edsel. This is the second straight article that I have written about extremely well-preserved station wagons that have somehow defied the odds of longevity. As they say, most station wagons were utilitarian transportation that were “rode hard, put away wet, and sent to the crusher.” I wish I knew the story behind this very rare long roof that, except for one repaint at some time, is otherwise highly original. Wait till you see the interior.
To say that the budget-restrained Edsel Styling Department borrowed a lot from the full-size ’59 Ford would be an understatement. They also raided the parts bin as the taillights were repurposed from the 1958 Continental. Sure, the styling was dialed way back and the unique ’50’s-era gimmicks are gone, but I’ve always liked the overall styling of the ’59 Edsel. Including Canada, only 47,396 Edsels were sold for model year 1959 (a far cry from the 100,ooo to 200,000 Edsels that FMC had expected to sell), and of those, only 7,820 Villager station wagons were produced: 5,687 six-passenger and 2,133 nine-passenger wagons. You can’t help but be impressed with this Villager’s exterior and overall condition. The Snow White body and President Red top and side spear paint appears very presentable as does the shiny stuff, trim, and glass. The body panels look straight and these old eyes aren’t spotting any visible accident damage or rust.
Growing up in the late-50s through the 60s, I always found it weird seeing protective clear plastic coverings on Living Room sofas, chairs, and even on car seats. Well, here’s an example of why I’m glad it was done. This Edsel’s original Code 31 interior is in great shape, and the wagon’s red and white vinyl with what Edsel described as “Gold Puff cloth seat inserts” are encased in plastic and very well preserved. Photos of the dash and instrument panel (which has gone from a wild, space-aged look in 1958 to a conservative, warmed-over ’59 Ford) looks great as does the cargo area.
In addition to having a reduced model lineup in ’59 (only the Corsair, Ranger, and Villager lines were offered), customers also had fewer engine options. The standard engine in 1958, the E-400, as well as the optional E-475 were history. The standard power plant for ’59 Corsairs and Villagers was the 332-cubic-inch V8 which generated 225 horsepower when new. It’s mated to a Mile-O-Matic 2-speed automatic transmission with a conventional column shifter…no gimmicky steering wheel hub Teletouch Drive was offered in ’59. The seller states that there’s only 57,000 original miles on the clock, but doesn’t mention having documentation. A recored radiator is also mentioned in the ad. This very rare long roof is currently residing at Classic Rides & Rods in Annandale, Minnesota and is for sale on their website for $29,575. A big thank you to our pal, Mitchell G., for spotting this remarkable and rare station wagon and sending it our way. In leaving, I have two questions: 1) Have you ever seen a ’59 Edsel Villager Station Wagon?, and, 2) Could this particular one be the nicest one left on planet Earth?
I truly enjoy when a certain car hits home to someone, as in this case. It personalizes the site. Even something as obscure as an Edsel or an Opel Kadett hits a nerve with someone. I don’t think Ford went into the Edsel thinking it would be a failure, in fact, I thought the name was more of an honor. The Edsel was a combination of failures. Odd styling, bad recession, and no place in between Mercury and Lincoln(?), but make no mistake, I thought the Edsel was an awesome car. I too remember when plastic seat covers were all the rage. They did help with car sickness, but that weird aunt that covered her sofa was too much. I agree, most wagons were the vehicle for the masses. If their daily abuse didn’t kill them, the state Fair demo derby did. This however, was unusual enough to save, and will go down through the ages, the Edsel.
This is one of those “thick skin” collectibles. As it, you would have to have thick skin to own and show it. People will automatically jump to the “Edsel saga”: crazy styling, failure in the market, et al.
But by 1959 this example shows it really wasn’t any more far-out than its late 50’s peers. And it is a wagon. And it has eye-catching colors. And it is in good shape. From those perspectives, it is a fine collectible.
I have to agree Howard. These days, it’s rare to see a classic with plastic seat covers and if you do, it may have had them originally so you’re seeing modern replacements. And yes, this particular wagon may be the nicest one left. The interior looks hardly used, and the paint shines just fine. All I see it needs are period-correct Coker whitewalls. I would be proud to have this in my driveway any day of the week!
I just took a class on Edsels, from a first person, lived-it teacher – thank you.
High praise often comes from those most familiar, and the reverse I feel is certainly true.
Excellent write up. I learned a great deal and appreciate the Edsel more for it.
How did this one survive, decade after decade ?
I have to agree with Bob and Torino that only a true car lover can appreciate one of these. All that the “exprets” know is that the car was a failure in the market. Sad, too, as Edsel was a premium brand with lots of innovation. Beautiful car and a wagon at that.
It was the grill that did the Edsel in. Looked too much like female anatomy for conservative values of the day.
LOL wow, I never thought of it that way. I always saw it as a horse collar.
Frank, that’s a tribute to your upbringing. The female anatomy jokes were shared between coarser elements of society. The rest of us stuck to horse collar or the ubiquitous’Nash sucking a lemon’ quips to describe these star crossed machines
The data plate shows exterior color code BB — which is single tone Moonrise Gray. As painted, the code would be EF for Snow White body color with President Red accent. The car’s interior trim code of 31 is correct for red/white vinyl with puff cloth.
Too bad it was repainted. Moonrise Gray is a seldom seen color (esp. when compared to red/white) and would be very attractive with this interior.
Those are the worst fitting plastic covers I’ve ever seen. When I was a kid we had plastic covers on our formal living room furniture that was hurriedly removed when company came to visit,
This is just incredible, can’t add anything thats already been said other than I’d be proud to have this Edsel in my driveway. Beautiful color combination ( whether its original or not), and just so nicely preserved. Hope it goes to a great new home. ( Wish it were mine).
Lets be honest 59,60,61 were the ugly designs. They were referred to as bizarre, eccentric but they have such character I really appreciate them. I don’t want to own one but they are fun to look at. I love to see them at car shows.