Ford Motor Co. decided there was a market for a fourth brand in its lineup. So, they introduced the Edsel in 1958 using features not found on other FOMOCO products (like a push-button transmission in the middle of the steering wheel). Timing turned out to be all wrong (economic recession), and demand never met Ford’s expectations. So, Edsel was gone barely into its third year. The seller has a 1959 Villager wagon that may have been idle for some time. While the engine has been rebuilt, it’s far from a runner in Manchester, Kentucky. The rare transport has been listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,500. Thanks for the heads up, Chuck Foster!
The 1958 Edsel is best remembered for its “horse collar” grille, which may have turned off a flock of would-be buyers. Regardless of Ford’s predictions, they sold only 68,000 Edsels in 1958, contributing to what would ultimately amount to hundreds of millions of dollars in losses by 1960. The Edsel lineup was trimmed back in 1959, and the cars were more similar to their Ford/Mercury counterparts; yet, demand fell further to 47,400 units.
While there were two trim levels of wagons in 1958, there was only one in 1959, the Villager. That must be what the seller has with seating for six passengers. The body doesn’t look bad, and the patina-laden green paint could be original, as is the matching interior. Just 5,700 Villagers were built in 1959 with two bench seats instead of three. We’re told the odometer reads 11,000 miles, which probably equates to 111,000.
The 1959 Villager was not much different than a Fairlane wagon. This one has a six-cylinder engine, which is hardly special for a car as heavily promoted as the Edsel was just the year before. But the engine compartment is rather stark, with missing items including the radiator and battery. The seller says the wagon has an automatic transmission, but it could just as easily be a “3-on-the-tree”. This vehicle is offered by its second owner, who is willing to trade for “anything” of equal value. What have you got the seller might want in exchange?
Cool rig. “The Villager!” It kind of looks like the villagers off of Minecraft.
Sweet ride.
Love the Earl Scheib paint job, underhood. But if I had an empty space, ready cash, and better knees?
Wasn’t the V-8 standard and the six an option on these cars?
Right you are, the 6 was a option on Ranger and Villager models, with a price reduction.
One detail I love is the colorful, patterned Edsel-logo backup light blanking plates. They can’t have cost Fomoco much less than just making backup lights standard.
cool wagon but it looks like the seller threw in the towel. I’d say 3k as is
Different enough to be cool. The engine bay however is not cool. Spruce up the body, update the brakes, tires, wheels and suspension and install something different in the engine bay. Supercharged Ford 300 six? V10 Ford? Some one else have a DIFFERENT (as in not the usual 5.0, 5.8, 460) engine idea that would still make this a daily driver? I really like the tailgate/hatch window set up.
I would keep this solid looking wagon as is with what is likely the 223 6 cylinder. Might be good to hear it run for the money, but then it might cost several thousand more, as rare wagons with hopefully no rot go.
Could be a real problem getting it running. Am I the only person that sees the lack of under the hood wiring? Might have been the straw that overloaded the load.
Another shame. What an awesome wagon, but only 7 photos, not nearly showing enough and two of them are identical. If it ran and if there’s no undercarriage rot, it would be a fair price and a fantastic find.
Not only a lack of wiring, the engine isn’t even bolted in. The crank pulley is resting on a 2×4. A shame. Someone local will eventually grab it.