FOMOCO introduced the Edsel to much fanfare (and corporate expense) in 1958. The company gambled on the need for a fourth marque in the market, but the buying public didn’t see it that way. Sales of 68,000 units in 1958 were well below expectations, so the lineup and product individualism were curtailed in 1959. That’s when the seller’s Villager wagon was built, the only version in the mix (with either six or nine-passenger seating). Located in Augusta, West Virginia, we’re told this antique runs though it looks like it’s been outside for some time. This rare wagon is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $9,000.
The styling of the Edsel was toned down in 1959 and looked more like the Ford Galaxie. The infamous horse collar grille was still there, but not nearly as prominent. Three lines of wagons were down to one, the Villager, which saw production of less than 8,000 units, mostly with six-passenger seating like this one. The push-button transmission shifter with the controls in the center of the steering wheel was gone, replaced by a regular column shifter. In a year when most automakers saw an increase in sales, Edsel experienced a 30% drop in demand.
Interest in the Edsel continued to fall, so after building less than 3,000 ‘60 models in the Fall of 1959, FOMOCO gave up the ghost and shut down the Edsel. Market estimates are that the Edsel debacle cost Ford $250-350 million, and that’s in 1960 currency. We’re not provided with any history of this Villager, other than the seller says the motor runs, the transmission shifts, and there are no working brakes. It would have a V8 engine, but which one? The odometer reading is 65,000 miles.
There’s not much left of the brown paint we’re told this wagon carries, and the interior likely matches rather than being white, as the seller says. This wagon will require a full restoration, which might end up putting the next owner in the red. If you were going to fix up an Edsel, a hardtop or convertible might be the most valuable, though the wagon may outrate a sedan. This car has been on the market for three months and is still for sale. Our thanks for the tip, JDC!
The oft-told story of the Edsel is a sad one, and FoMoCo should feel lucky it didn’t bankrupt them. The Edsel dealer in my hometown went out of business halfway through 1958, he didn’t even make it to the introduction of the 1959 models. I don’t see anybody restoring this wagon, but, who knows, maybe there’s an Edsel fanatic out there who would be happy to take this on.