Magnificently Maintained: 1959 Edsel Villager
Talk about rare! A 1959 Edsel Villager station wagon – when did you last encounter one of these? Besides the rarity factor, it’s also this car’s condition, it’s said to have had three previous owners, is all original, and is in fabulous shape! The Edsel’s plight will be endlessly debated but while all that chatter is occurring let’s enjoy this Oxford, Ohio resident. This discovery is courtesy of T.J. and it’s available, here on craigslist for $22,500.
Research shows that the Villager wagon was offered in both six and nine-passenger configurations in ’59 and this one is a six-seater. Total station wagon production reached 7,800 units, more than I would have thought, with 5,700 being of the six-pack variety. The real question, though, is how many are still in existence today?
The condition is impeccable and it is claimed to have only experienced 66K miles of use and supposedly authenticating documentation is available. The two-tone finish, oh-so-1950s, was resprayed in 1976 but still, that’s 48 years ago and it has withstood the test of time – it’s a testament to this car’s careful handling, maintenance, and storage. The chrome plating and stainless steel trim are just as brilliant as the finish – can you imagine the difficulty in trying to source missing pieces?
OK, big faux pas, there are no engine images included. The seller tells us that the engine room is occupied by a 225 gross HP, 332 CI “FE” engine making the rear wheel connection via a “Mile-O-Matic” automatic transmission. The seller states, “100% stock, runs and drives out great“. As for the above image, you can see that the underside of this Villager seems sound; the protruding bolts are for the added seatbelts.
The interior feature that really caught my attention is the Scotch cooler, remember them? I had one but it met its demise on the infield at the 1980 Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. The last time I saw it was on the receiving end of a ten-yard punt. No big deal, the bottom had started to rust out – but I digress… I might not normally think that green would cohabitate well with a yellow exterior but it works and works well. I dig the instrument panel, it’s too bad that we ditched the artistry that was the ’40s and ’50s dashes, gauges, and switchgear. As for the cargo area, it appears to have been infrequently and gently used.
Edsels are always conversation pieces. And a station wagon version? Conversation dominators! Next stop for this wagon? The local car show circuit I imagine. Let’s talk price, $22,500 – what do you think, priced right or not quite?
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Comments
I read an article about Martha Stewart not only living in Edsel Ford’s old estate, but driving a 58 Edsel Villager there. Can you imagine seeing her at that local grocery store in one of these? I really liked the Edsel Villagers.
Actually, what Martha drove wasn’t a `58 Villager because that year there wasn’t one. She drove a `58 2dr. Round Up wagon! MUCH more rare than this `59. But yea, I could see her loading the back with grocery sacks!
I believe Martha’s car is a Villager. The Villager was the standard (non wood-clad) 1958 Edsel wagon.
Yes, Will Fox, Martha Stewart’s Cool 1958, 2 door Edsel wagon isn’t a Villager. But can you imagine her tooling around in a small town loading her 2 door Edsel wagon up with plants and groceries?
The ’59 Edsel was a major styling improvement over the ’58. It was unfortunate that the writing was on the wall, as this car is quite handsome.
The taillights blew everyone’s minds blinking opposite direction.
So sad this car got the “brown end ” of the stick, they were fantastic cars. Probably too much for Joe Lunchpail, but was not their target audience. More for an upscale crowd. Too bad that market was already inundated with great cars. Edsel didn’t stand a chance. I have little to no experience, except( stop me if you heard this one),,,back in the late 70s, I drove a t/t dump, and hauled loads of fertilizer to farms. One delivery stands out from all the rest. Somewhere in central Illinois, a farm ordered a load, and with no cell or navigation, you had to stop and ask for directions. Stopped in the town, gas station guy, “oh, yeah, the Yoohoo farm, keep going until you see the junk cars”,,okay, simple enough. I go a few miles, sure enough, farm with junk cars, I paid no mind to what they were, some kid comes out and says, yeah, dad wants it dumped in the back. I goes ’round back, MORE junk cars, then it hits me, they are ALL Edsels! There had to be 50 or more, wagons, 2 doors, 4 doors. When I asked the kid, she said, “oh, yeah, those are my dads, he’s out buying 2 more right now”. I wonder what ever happened to all those cars?
Again price. Golly, I just don’t know anymore. This car will attract a wide range of buyers, from when they just a gleam in their parents eyes, but the name Edsel will live in infamy just because of what it is. Who’s stupid now, eh?
There is a Youtube video of that guy’s collection of Edsels. Apparently he’s part of the club too! Know as “Mr. Edsel” he’s quite a character LOL. And he has it all–cvts., 4drs, 2drs, wagons, parts, etc. and I think he even has the rarest Edsel of them all–the 1960 9 passenger Villager wagon!
Why thanks, autobug,,,oops, I mean, Will. I can finally close that chapter thats been bugging me for years. I feel slightly honored now,,,
For as nice as this wagon is, it’s a steal. Thinks of all the care and attention this unit has received over the decades…
I’m trying to upload this pic of Martha Stewart with her red and white 58 Edsel wagon. She was also on Lenos garage with Jay, driving around in her car. And it’s a 2 door too! You know she keeps her baby well maintained.
Sadly, $22,500 is today’s $10,000. I’m on the verge of selling my stuff and getting out of the hobby. Can’t afford it anymore.
I’m in the same boat at 60,but we need some enjoyment.
Yes, the Edsels got a bum wrap. People either loved or hated them. Lots didn’t like the “horse collar.” And, yes, I also remember the plaid coolers; haven’t seen one in decades.
Handsome ride. I’d daily drive that!
I do have a friend in upstate NY who has a collection of restored Edsels. Maybe 10-12 of them. Then he stopped collecting them and started collecting Studebakers.
I love wagons especially 2-doors and have had several, none right now. But I do have a full collection of the Scottish plaid. I have the matching thermoses that hang over the seat. The six pack of starter fluid for the grill, lunch box etc. and I am saving it all, for the next wagon. My wife says sell it, I don’t understand, WHY?. Am I missing something?
P.S. I think this car is worth the asking price all day long!
Will…there were actually 3 series of Edsel wagons available in 1958..the Roundup (utilitarian), the Villager (fancier), and the Bermuda (Edsel’s “Country Squire” competitor…..thought you’d like to know.
Iola…2022..Me and the late Cindy Williams…with my match to the car she drove in the movie “American Graffitti”.
Wow!!!!!
Double wow!. She passed away 6 months after this was taken. While her performance in American Graffiti was memorable, she will always be “Shirley Feeney” to me.
Real nice lady….pleasant and giving- whoulda thunk 6 months later she’d be gone….
Nice to see an honest car that can be driven and enjoyed by the whole family and guys like me (79 years) an get into and out of. Realistic price, not a Ford guy but this is pretty sweet!