Projects Edsel Longroofs - 1959 Edsel Villager

Edsel guys!

I have an opportunity to pick up a 1959 Edsel, 4-door, 6 or 9 passenger, Villager. I never thought that I would ever buy one because of thier unfortunate reputation, but this one is so complete, all original and the price is 'super' right. It really 'grows' on you.

The wagon is a 6 passenger model I believe; 9 would be better. 3 speed on the tree with an Economy 223 Inline 6 as a power plant. Unfortunately the stock wheels were tossed for some chrome steelies and baby moon caps, but the rest is there. The trim and grill are in great condition and on the car. Nice/decent original interior missing a few headliner panels and decent hole in the drivers seat. Wagon needs a tune up on the motor and brakes. Wagon starts right up.

I have done some searches for Edsels specific; not much out there.

If the I6 ends up to be really tired, what V8 motor is easily swappable in its place? Of course, im game to freshen up the existing motor if not too difficult. I have never "freshened" up a motor, would this include, new std. rings and a re-hone?

Skirts are same as 59 Ford?

Are there any picts of Edsel wagons dropped and skirted? Im not looking to customize it heavily, just skirts and lowering. Start it and go!

Any Thoughts?

 

This is for sale on the Suedes board:
410Merc and Cruise-o-matic
http://www.suedescarclub.com/pn/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=2622

Look up Dakota's Edsel wagon on here. Its a '58 Wagon that my shop did a few years ago. Now its getting its FE freshened up and should be a great cruiser when its back on the road.

 

A y-block or earlier FE with correct towers/mounts out of a Ford, Mercury, or even (I think) an Edsel with a 361

 

I heard about this score last night from martin.Good score,and for the price?!?!God I hate you right now.Haha.Can't wait to see what you do with it

 

If you decide to pass on it pm me the info... I've been looking for a wagon to replace the Dodge Minivan.

 

the wife almost got a 59 had a little to much rust for me but the car had a 361 in it so a fe would be a easy swap

 

Are the skirts the same for 1959 Ford?

 

The Edsel kinda' got the last laugh, after being the butt of jokes by wannabe comedians for years. There are clubs dedicated to the marque, world wide, and the NET is full of information about them. Mechanical and suspension parts, along with weatherstripping, and some repro parts are available from Dennis Carpenter, and other suppliers. Some '59 Ford parts will interchange with '59 Edsels, but the fender skirts will not.
My friend built a '59 a few years back, and used a 460 and C-6 from a '69 Continental for power. He said it was all done with pieces that Advance Auto Parts had on the shelf. He also said that if it was to do over, he would have used a 351W engine and C-4 combo because of the size and weight of the 460-C-6. The 223 engine you have now, is a good reliable powerplant, but definitely not a neck snapper. There are some speed parts and dress-up items available for it, but you will have to do some searching. Ebay is also a source for Edsel stuff, as the cars and parts for them show up daily. I don't know if they've been sold, but there were a couple of '59 wagons on Craigslist, Atlanta that were sharp and might give you some ideas. Good luck with your project!

 

Here is my Daily driver 59. No fender skirts, just lowered a little. Yes it's For Sale also.
The Wizzard

 

My Dad had a 58 Bermuda 9 pass wagon, red with the grey woodgrain on the sides and the funky tail lights, 361 303 hp was a great car, we went back and forth from Calif to Ks many times in it. the solenioid shifter deal went bad so we put a floor shift in it. love to have it back now. Lippy

 

Just saw a 59 Edsel wagon a few miles from the house on its way to becoming a derby car. Same guy wants to buy the 64 Ford parts car in my driveway. I don't think so!

 

Here's what I know. '59 Edsel Ranger/Corsair skirts are different from the Ford cars, but they do not fit the station wagons. So the wagon quarters are different than the car, and the car doesn't take the Ford skirts.

I know that doesn't really answer your question, but that's what I know. Don't buy the repop Edsel skirts for the wagon because they won't fit. Not sure if the Ford car ones will or not.

 

Man I'm a V8 guy and a chevy guy and it almost pains me to say this. But if you can find a later model 300 six in good condition that's the way to go. It'll be cheap to buy, and make 289 2bbl power. 300 I6 is a damn good engine. That car's a tank and won't be very fast even with a big block, it'll just be expensive and complicated.

good luck

 

Shifty, great info, If I could find a 300 I6 motor, I would slam it in. If the motor is tired, I would just like to replace it w/ a better. Im more interested in having a cruiser than a torque beast.

Bummer on 59 Ford Skirts not fitting, the only ones that I could find were a set of fiberglass parts. I like skirts on a wagon...ill have to pick some up or some similar and modify/metalwork them to fit.

 

I was a '59 Edsel wagon freak for alot of years... I had to pick my battles and ended up selling my '59 6-pass. wagon to a guy in Sweden. The 6-pass. wagons are VERY rare compared to the 9 passengers. You can put any of the Ford engines in that wagon. I put a 460 in mine with very little work. If I had it to do again, I'd find a '85-93 Mustang and do a complete engine/trans. transplant. Find a '77-'79 Big body T-Bird and the disk brakes will bolt on. The '77 car will give you a 1 1/2" dropped spindle compared to stock. Use the spindles and brakes. They bolt right on.

Make sure the grill bottom, and head light buckets are good. They are Edsel only. Good luck finding parts.

You have to make DAMN sure you want to build this car, because the parts are un-obtainable.

Kevin
Ooltewah Speed Shop

 

The great part of this car is its all there and in great shape. As for the motor; after building my gasser, I dont want to get into some 'crazy' fabrication to put another motor in. If I do a motor swap, I would like to throw something in that is a more of a 'direct bolt in'. I may be picking up a 351w with hopes it bolts up to the original trans. I want to keep the manual trans, and 3 on tree. As I said earlier, If I could find another 223/300 I6, I would be happy as well.

As for parts, I was searching the Edsel website, there seems to be a bunch of wrecking yards with Edsels exclusively. Of course, after the scrap metal episode, I can only hope they still exist.

 

I don't really know that for sure, all I know is that the Edsel skirts won't fit the wagon and Ford car skirts won't fit Edsel sedans. That doesn't exclude Ford car skirts fitting Edsel wagons.

 

I can say with 100% certainty that 59 Ford Car fender skirts do indeed perfectly fit Edsel wagons, but will only fit 59 Edsel WAGONS- not sedans.

 

Norm, So did you get the wagon ? It would make a great Cruise Nite Cruiser !

41 Dave

 

in 59 you could get a yblock in them.. FE, yblock or I6...

 

got a y block in my 59 sedan and it ain't coming out, that with the 3 on the tree and shortest smithy's you can get and you will love it

 

59 Ford car fender skirts on my 1959 Edsel Villager:

 

I going to look at '59 2 door Ranger Saturday, solid body, all trim is there and good, good interior, new brakes, clutch, has the 6 cyl - but some crap alum wheels - should I go with 14" or 15" steelies and WW tires or?? I think these cars are HOT! What should I look for that are problems for these cars?? Thanks

 

If it really is solid and has good trim and interior you should be set. They like to rot out in the rockers (inner and outer) and in the rear quarter lips so if they're good chances are the rest of the car is as well. It's an expensive windshield so having a good one in the car is a plus.

Wheels are a personal taste but I'm planning to run '58 spinner caps on my '59 with the color keyed centers and wide whitewalls, that's my favorite look for these cars. The caps are 14" so I'll be running 14" rims.

 

I agree with Squablow.

Check the rockers inner and outer. Look in the rear quarter areas and area inside front fenderwells since they take the most beating.

If the interior and floors are good, with a little rot... go for it. cosmetics can be fixed along the way.

As for wheels, I believe 14" is stock. If it was up to me; I would choose 15" first and WWW bias, 14" second. Custom hubcaps are always sexy on a car.

 

Section 8.. That wagon is Sexy. is the suspension/ride height stock?

 

All stock, but I added 50 years of sag and a full tank of gas.

 

I had a 59 wagon with the 361 FE fitted here in the UK about 6 years ago, I bagged it but it was fairly stock apart from that, great ride and looked the pups slammed.
I will see if I can find pictures.
I know I have all the info on bagging it as I did an article for a website once. (maybe on here somewhere?)
Spence

 

I also have a 1959 Villager 6p. w/332FE and a 2 speed slushbox.

Its in great shape, except for the crack in the lifter valley.
I picked up a 390 to swap in, and want to put a 3sp manual in it.

Good to know about the 59 ford skirts, I have been trying to find out what fits.

I can't wait to get this Pickle on the road.

 

I think my butt looks good in them: